Extraordinary 'female warriors' in the diplomatic sector
Recently, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam hosted a talk titled “Proud imprints: Women diplomats and the journey to assert Vietnam’s position on the international stage”, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s diplomatic sector (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025). Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang attended and delivered a speech at the event.
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| The delegates posed for a commemorative photo. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Held on the morning of May 22, the event was honored to welcome Mrs. Phan Thi Phuc, spouse of the late Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nguyen Co Thach; Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, former President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and former Deputy Foreign Minister; Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Van, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Central Party Agencies; Ambassador Nguyen Thi Hoi, former Ambassador of Vietnam to Austria and Canada and former Director-General and Secretary-General of the Vietnam National UNESCO Commission; Ambassador Phan Thuy Thanh, former Ambassador of Vietnam to Belgium and Luxembourg and former Director-General of the Department of Press and Information; along with many female officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs across generations and female students of the Diplomatic Academy.
This occasion was a tribute to the contributions of women diplomats, serving as an inspiration for younger generations and today’s diplomatic workforce, and reinforcing the role of women in modern diplomacy.
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| Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Acting President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, praised the important contributions of female diplomats across all pillars of diplomacy. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
In his opening remarks, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Acting President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, emphasized that since its founding on August 28, 1945, Vietnam’s diplomatic service has undergone 80 years of development, achieving many significant milestones. That glorious journey has been marked by the contributions of women diplomats to the revolutionary cause and to national development, helping Vietnam rise to stand shoulder to shoulder with nations around the world.
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According to Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, over eight decades, generations of women diplomats have made important contributions across all three pillars of Vietnam’s diplomacy: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy. In Party diplomacy, female officials have actively helped nurture friendships between the Communist Party of Vietnam and political parties and progressive movements worldwide. In State diplomacy, they have played a key role in establishing and expanding Vietnam’s sustainable, positive relationships with many countries and international organizations.
In people-to-people diplomacy, the image of women diplomats has always symbolized warmth, gentleness, and sincerity - traits that foster friendly ties between the Vietnamese people and international friends. This image also evokes empathy and broad support for Vietnam’s just struggle for independence as well as the country’s development and protection efforts.
“You have all been profound, courageous, and perceptive diplomats, steadfast in principle yet flexible in approach, helping to build trust and expand Vietnam’s political ties abroad. As heads of diplomatic missions, you have served as the face and voice of the Communist Party, the State, and the people of Vietnam, embodying a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification,” Dr. Nguyen Hung Son stressed.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared stories of female diplomats who have become a meaningful and proud part of the sector’s history. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Honoring the perseverance of generations of women diplomats who helped Vietnam reach the world, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared that the past 80 years have witnessed countless ordinary women - mothers and sisters from diverse backgrounds - accomplish extraordinary feats. These women have kept the patriotic flame alive and lit the way for Vietnam to rise from the darkness of war and colonialism to become a beacon of peace, national independence, and progress.
These eight decades are filled with stories of diplomats who left their rural homes, families, and young children to represent the country on “the silent frontline.” They are also stories of successive generations, continuously learning, striving, fighting with persistence, and constantly reinventing themselves.
“Diplomacy is a unique journey, one that demands not only sophistication and acuity, but also a kind heart, an ability to listen and reconcile. Gentle yet strong, graceful yet determined. These are qualities that Vietnamese women naturally possess. That is why our mothers, aunts, sisters, and daughters are often the glue that binds, the bridge that reconciles, the symbol of trust and flexibility in the art of diplomacy,” Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang noted.
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| Speakers at the talk. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
During the talk, veteran women diplomats shared memorable stories and personal experiences from their careers, and expressed high hopes for the current generation of diplomats as well as for students of the Diplomatic Academy.
As someone who lived across two centuries and devoted many years to multilateral diplomacy, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Hoi affirmed that today’s S-shaped country has undergone a major transformation - from a nation once under embargo and isolation to one that actively and proactively contributes to most international organizations and global policy-making.
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| Ambassador Nguyen Thi Hoi emphasized that diplomats must be lifelong learners, not only from books but also from real-world experience, partners, and international friends. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Ambassador Hoi expressed her belief that Vietnamese women are fully capable of excelling in all tasks. However, she stressed that experience, knowledge, and inner strength are key. In her view, diplomats must be lifelong learners, not just from books, but from real-life work, from partners, and from international friends. Classrooms are just the beginning; real-world experience is the greatest training ground.
Ambassador Phan Thuy Thanh shared her admiration for the progress of women in diplomacy, emphasizing that Vietnamese women diplomats have undergone a remarkable and commendable journey of growth. Whereas in the past women mainly served as "implementers", today they are increasingly stepping up as policy "creators" and participating in the policymaking process.
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| Ambassador Phan Thuy Thanh affirmed that female diplomats are rising to become "creators," gradually taking part in the policymaking process. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
She attributed this transformation to persistent efforts, ranging from Ministry-level policies to the unrelenting hard work of female officers. With their intellect and courage, they are gradually building credibility and contributing to policy design and strategic planning within the diplomatic service.
As former spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Phan Thuy Thanh highlighted that in multilateral diplomacy, Vietnam is now an active player, continuously putting forward constructive initiatives and enhancing the country’s image and status on the global stage. Notably, the softness and finesse - hallmarks of women diplomats - are great assets that help shape a more humane, approachable, and effective diplomatic image.
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| According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Van, globalization and Vietnam’s deep international integration are opening new doors for women in general and female diplomats in particular. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Sharing her views on the current opportunities for women diplomats, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Van, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Central Party Agencies, noted that globalization and Vietnam’s deep international integration are opening up numerous doors for women in general and female diplomats in particular. This is a favorable time for women to pursue education, improve qualifications, and broaden career choices. As gender equality improves both domestically and internationally, it has become increasingly common for women to assert their capabilities and be recognized and celebrated by society.
However, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Van stressed that to seize these opportunities, every woman must put in relentless effort. “When a woman achieves something, it’s not because she was given preferential treatment. It’s because she truly deserves it and has worked for it,” she affirmed.
She also pointed out another significant advantage in today’s context. Vietnam is building a comprehensive and modern diplomacy based on three pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy. In this context, fields such as people-to-people diplomacy are fertile ground where the gentle, flexible, and skillful qualities of women diplomats can shine.
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| Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga stressed that for women to progress in their careers, they often have to work twice, or even three to four times, as hard as their male counterparts. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
As Vietnam’s first female Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga expressed pride in witnessing the powerful transformation of the female diplomatic corps over the past decade. According to her, this remarkable progress is the result of many factors: The close attention of leaders at all levels, policies from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, national gender equality movements, and - most importantly - the unceasing efforts of the women themselves.
Notably, the advancement of female diplomatic personnel has not only taken place within the Ministry but has also spread widely across the national network engaged in people-to-people diplomacy. However, the Ambassador emphasized that for women to advance in their careers, they often have to work twice or even three to four times as hard as their male counterparts. These efforts are only truly recognized when they are met with understanding and fair evaluation from male colleagues and leadership at all levels.
Thanks to their delicacy, strategic thinking, and both broad and detailed vision, female officials are able to manage both work and family effectively. At the same time, they are sensitive, perceptive, and gentle, yet when necessary, extremely determined - once committed, they see things through to the end. According to the former Deputy Minister, these qualities are natural strengths gifted to women.
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| The talk was not only a chance to honor the silent contributions of generations of Vietnamese female diplomats but also a powerful source of inspiration for the youth. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
It can be said that the talk was not only an occasion to express gratitude and honor the silent contributions of generations of Vietnamese female diplomats, but also a powerful source of inspiration for the younger generation as they carry forward the noble mission of diplomacy.
In the ever-deepening flow of international integration, the distinct qualities of Vietnamese women - resilience, finesse, gentleness paired with unwavering strength - continue to be advantages and core values that contribute to elevating the nation’s standing and building a modern, professional, and comprehensive diplomacy.
With a proud tradition and the invaluable experience passed down from previous generations, today's and future generations of female diplomats promise to continue demonstrating steadfast courage and shining brightly on the frontline without gunfire, helping Vietnam reach greater heights on the global stage.
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