President Nguyen Xuan Phuc takes a photo with female Ambassadors at the Presidential Palace on December 14, 2021. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

President Ho Chi Minh once said: "Viet Nam's beautiful country is strengthened and promoted by our women's efforts." In wartime as well as peacetime, on the front lines of Viet Nam's foreign affairs, there have been always women who worked bravely, making great contributions to the cause of national independence, unification, defense and development of the country.

Graceful diplomats

In addition to knowledge, professional qualifications and bravery, with "soft power" of sensitivity, carefulness and cleverness, Vietnamese women working in foreign affairs always receive admiration and respect from international friends for their positive contributions to the country's important foreign relations achievements.

Many typical examples through generations such as Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh, Nguyen Ngoc Dung, Phan Thi Phuc, Ho The Lan, Ton Nu Thi Ninh, Nguyen Thi Hoi, Phan Thuy Thanh, Nguyen Phuong Nga, Nguyen Nguyet Nga... have affirmed the "soft power" of Vietnamese women when doing foreign affairs both on the bilateral and multilateral fronts.

Behind the gentleness and modesty, Vietnamese foreign affairs female officers with an iron spirit are increasingly showing their roles, making outstanding and active contributions to the mission for peace, stability, development and international integration.

Over the past time, in the context of the unpredictable international situation and complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, foreign affairs activities have continued to be implemented effectively and successfully, realizing the policies and guidelines of the 13th Party Congress, containing the pandemic, restoring the socio-economic development.

In a recent news article, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son affirmed that foreign affairs work in the past year continued to contribute strongly to promoting the image of an independent, self-reliant, innovative, dynamic, creative, characteristic and traditional Viet Nam which is also a faithful friend and reliable partner of the international community.

According to Minister Bui Thanh Son, the foreign service has explored many methods, integrated online, face-to-face and many other forms to deploy activities widely, in all fields of bilateral and multilateral foreign affairs, politics, border and territory, economy, culture, citizen protection, overseas Vietnamese and external information.

Those successes were partly contributed by female officers. Minister Bui Thanh Son assessed: "Women's dedication, efforts and contributions are of special significance, contributing to the successful completion of foreign affairs tasks assigned by the Party, State and people".

Accomplishing two main roles

The context of the Covid-19 pandemic over the past two years has more clearly portrayed the important role of women who are responsible for foreign affairs work every day but also do not forget to take care of their family.

More than ever, it is in time of crisis and difficulty that the noble qualities of a woman like perseverance, hardworking, adaptability, sacrification, and integrity are promoted, becoming the strength for each family and the whole society to maintain a stable and peaceful life, overcome the epidemic, restore and gradually return to a new normal life.

Assistant Minister, Head of the Department of Women's Affairs, Director of the Department of Economic Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang shares the sympathy with female colleagues when they have to work hard day and night to carry out foreign affairs activities while taking care of their families safe and sound through the pandemic.

Reviewing the achievements in economic diplomacy, vaccine diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, bilateral and multilateral relations, citizen protection, external information, border and territory, overseas Vietnamese…, Mrs. Nguyen Minh Hang emphasized the great contributions of female officers in all aspects.

"Behind these proud achievements are the unremitting efforts, passion and enthusiasm of female officers for diplomacy, the foreign service, and the profession", emphasized the Head of the Department of Women's Affairs.

According to Mrs. Nguyen Minh Hang, the key to the success of modern women in foreign affairs probably lies in the beauty of the soul, intelligence, ability and quality, as well as dedication and efforts to develop in all difficulties and circumstances.

Female diplomats with Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at the 31st National Diplomatic Conference on December 18, 2021. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Willingness to dedicate

The 13th Party Congress clearly indicated the task of "continuing to promote the pioneering role of diplomacy" in the realization of three goals: "Creating and maintaining the environment, peace and stability", "mobilizing external resources to develop the country" and "enhancing the position and prestige of the country".

The country is also at a new stage when safely adapting to the pandemic, transitioning to a "new normal" towards the recovery of socio-economic development.

Implementing the policies and guidelines of the 13th Party Congress, in the face of the requirements and aspirations for development in the new period, foreign affairs officers, including female ones, are taking on new heavy but glorious responsibilities.

These tasks require female officers, with their cleverness and sensitivity, to always take the lead, be proactive, and adapt to new situations. In addition to cultivating knowledge and training personalities, women working in the foreign service need to actively grasp new technologies, adapt to the digital era, strengthen their management ability, and improve the necessary skills at work…

In the face of a new context and new responsibilities, Head of the Department of Women's Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang affirmed: "Female officers will continue to try their best, work with a sense of responsibility, enthusiasm and passion to contribute to implementing foreign affairs, serving practically the realization of the country's development goals and aspirations".

The new tasks are heavier, while the hardships and difficulties of family work are still there. However, these difficulties are not the barriers to women who are willing to devote themselves wholeheartedly to work as well as family. This is the beautiful image and noble quality of Vietnamese women in the international environment.