Launch of the book on portraits and memories of Vietnamese female diplomats
WVR - On March 10, the Network of Vietnamese Female Diplomats, in collaboration with the Diplomatic Academy, organized the launch of the book "Vietnamese Female Diplomats: Portraits and Memories", edited by Ambassador, Dr. Luan Thuy Duong.
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| Overview of the book launch "Vietnamese Female Diplomats: Portraits and Memories". (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Heartfelt gratitude to female diplomats
Ambassador Dr. Luan Thuy Duong shared that the inspiration for the book originated from the dedication of the late Ambassador Nguyen Thi Nguyet Nga – a leader who devoted her life to the advancement of women, especially in the field of foreign affairs.
Even in her final moments, she was deeply concerned about a project that would document the silent yet monumental contributions of generations of female diplomats. Therefore, the book was born not merely as a documentary publication but as a heartfelt tribute from colleagues to honor and fulfill the wishes of the esteemed late Ambassador.
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| Former Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien expresses gratitude to female colleagues. (Photo: Tong Anh) |
The book is a testament to the persistent efforts and determination of the members of the Network of Vietnamese Female Diplomats. With the dedication of Ambassador Dr. Luan Thuy Duong and the collaboration of veteran ambassadors, the book transcends the confines of dry documentation, bringing to life vibrant faces and stories of personal and professional journeys.
"We aim to acknowledge and honor the contributions of women in the diplomatic sector over the past 80 years, while using this material to educate and inspire the younger generation," the ambassadors emphasized.
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| Ambassador Dr. Luan Thuy Duong (left) as editor-in-chief with Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga (right) sharing the emotional journey of writing the book. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Vietnamese Female Diplomats: Portraits and Memories is seen as an effort to systematize the stories, memories, and professional imprints of many generations of female diplomatic officers.
The book not only sketches the portraits of female leaders in the sector, from Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Assistant Ministers to ambassadors and heads of representative offices, but also unveils the vibrant professional life behind diplomatic activities.
Notable figures include Nguyen Thi Binh, Vietnam's first female Foreign Minister and Head of the Negotiation Delegation of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam at the Paris Conference on Vietnam (1968–1973), along with female diplomats like Ho The Lan, the first female spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Phan Thi Phuc, Vietnam's first female Secretary-General of UNESCO; and ambassadors Ton Nu Thi Ninh, Nguyen Phuong Nga...
These names have helped shape the image of Vietnamese women in diplomacy as both sophisticated and gentle, yet sharp, courageous, and determined in protecting national interests.
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| Former Deputy Prime Minister, former Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh expresses emotion over the proud 80-year journey of female diplomats. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Attending the ceremony, former Deputy Prime Minister and former Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh honored the silent sacrifices of female diplomats who have successfully fulfilled national responsibilities while maintaining family harmony, making significant contributions to Vietnamese diplomacy over the past 80 years.
In his remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang also affirmed that while the book may not fully capture all contributions of female diplomats, it portrays a proud image of this force. As the country takes on new diplomatic responsibilities, female diplomatic officers will continue to demonstrate their intelligence, courage, and sophistication, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige on the international stage.
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| Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang honors contributions and extends greetings on March 8 to generations of female diplomats at the book launch. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Hearts for Vietnam
On the occasion of the book launch, a discussion titled "Hearts for Vietnam" moderated by journalist Tạ Bích Loan brought forth many emotional stories about the diplomatic profession.
The memories of female ambassadors reveal that behind major diplomatic events are numerous everyday moments filled with intelligence, finesse, and profound national pride.
For Ambassador Dinh Thi Minh Huyen, former Ambassador of Vietnam to Canada and the Netherlands, former Vice President, former Foreign Minister Nguyễn Thị Bình embodied full dedication to national and ethnic interests with a diplomatic demeanor that was principled yet gentle and persuasive at the negotiation table.
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| Ambassador Dinh Thi Minh Huyen (left) speaks at the discussion. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
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| Ambassador Nguyen Thi Hoi shares insights on the sophistication in diplomacy during the era of renewal and integration. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
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| Ambassador Phan Thuy Thanh (center) recalls the challenging period of Vietnam's integration. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
If Ambassador Nguyen Thi Hoi, one of the first young female ambassadors to take office in 1992 in Austria, impressed with her sophistication in choosing gifts that touched the hearts of foreign leaders to pave the way for bilateral cooperation, then Ambassador Phan Thuy Thanh, former Ambassador of Vietnam to Belgium and Luxembourg, left a mark with her steadfast defense of justice and national honor on the international stage.
Ambassador Tao Thi Thanh Huong, former Ambassador of Vietnam to Singapore, recalls the tense moments in Singapore when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. In life-and-death circumstances, the patience and support from the Embassy became a pillar for the Vietnamese community, while maintaining the bridge of friendship between the two countries.
From another perspective, Ambassador Pham Lan Dung talks about the process of gradually elevating the Diplomatic Academy, striving to build an internationally standard training environment to lay the foundation for the young diplomatic generation.
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| Delegates attending the event take a commemorative photo. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
In particular, speaking at the event, former Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Niên highly appreciated the contributions of female diplomats to the country's foreign affairs. According to him, Vietnamese female diplomats always carry a unique blend of intelligence, sophistication, and resilient courage.
The former Foreign Minister noted that although the proportion of women in the sector remains modest, their influence is immense. With three core qualities: resilience, empathy, and intelligence, he believes this is a "golden time" for young female diplomats to step forward and represent Vietnam in the new era.
