In a significant step toward deepening defense ties, Vietnam and Canada signed a 2025-2026 cooperation framework on United Nations (UN) peacekeeping on March 24, 2025, during a Vietnamese delegation’s visit to Canada. The agreement, inked by Major General Pham Manh Thang, Head of the Peacekeeping Department under Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense, and Brigadier-General Carol Potvin, Deputy Director General for Continental Defense Policy under Canada’s Department of National Defense, marks a renewed commitment to joint efforts in promoting global peace and stability.
This latest framework builds on a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two nations and underscores their shared dedication to advancing peacekeeping initiatives under the UN banner. With a focus on delegation exchanges, training, and equipment support, the agreement signals a maturing partnership that could serve as a model for bilateral cooperation in the region. 
A Framework for Collaboration
The 2025-2026 cooperation framework outlines three primary areas of focus. First, it prioritizes exchanges of delegations at various levels to foster dialogue and mutual understanding. Second, it emphasizes training and capacity-building, with Canada committing to assist Vietnam in enhancing its peacekeeping capabilities through specialized programs. Third, the agreement includes provisions for Canadian assistance in providing equipment to bolster Vietnam’s training infrastructure for UN missions.
These priorities reflect a strategic alignment between Hanoi and Ottawa, as both nations seek to strengthen the expertise of their personnel in international peacekeeping operations. The framework also builds on commitments made during the Vietnam-Canada Defense Policy Dialogue held in Vietnam in February 2025, where defense officials from both sides agreed to elevate their partnership.
Over the past few years, Vietnam and Canada have steadily expanded their collaboration in this domain. Working group exchanges have become a regular feature, allowing for better coordination on UN peacekeeping policies. A notable milestone came in May 2023, when Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace, and Security, Jacqueline O’Neill, visited Vietnam’s Peacekeeping Department to advocate for greater women’s participation in UN missions—a theme that continues to resonate in the new framework.
Training and Capacity Building
Training forms a cornerstone of the Vietnam-Canada partnership. Canada has played a pivotal role in supporting Vietnam through language courses in English and French, as well as specialized peacekeeping programs covering areas such as civil-military coordination, military observation, international law on armed conflicts, and gender equality in the military. These initiatives aim to equip personnel from the Vietnam People’s Army with the skills needed to excel in complex UN missions.
In July 2024, the two countries co-hosted a battlefield first-aid training course in Vietnam, which was widely regarded as a success. Additionally, throughout 2024, Vietnam sent two officers to Canada for French language training and 15 others to participate as instructors and trainees in UN peacekeeping courses. These exchanges highlight the practical dimensions of the partnership, which go beyond policy discussions to tangible skill development.
Looking ahead, both sides have pledged to develop UN-recognized peacekeeping training courses and expand officer training programs. Plans are also underway to enhance language and instructor training in Canada, ensuring that Vietnamese personnel are well-prepared for the linguistic and operational demands of international missions. Such efforts could position Vietnam as a more prominent contributor to UN peacekeeping operations in the coming years.
Advancing Gender Equality in Peacekeeping
A distinctive feature of the Vietnam-Canada collaboration is its emphasis on gender equality. Both nations have expressed a commitment to increasing women’s participation in UN peacekeeping forces, aligning with broader global efforts to integrate gender perspectives into peace and security initiatives. The new framework includes plans to host international workshops aimed at strengthening women’s roles in peacekeeping operations, building on discussions initiated during Ambassador O’Neill’s 2025 visit to Hanoi.
This focus on gender equality is particularly significant given the historical underrepresentation of women in military and peacekeeping roles. By prioritizing this issue, Vietnam and Canada are contributing to a more inclusive approach to international security—one that recognizes the unique perspectives and contributions of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. If successful, these initiatives could set a precedent for other bilateral partnerships in the region.
Strategic Implications for Regional and Global Stability
The signing of the 2025-2026 framework comes at a time when the Indo-Pacific region faces a range of security challenges, from territorial disputes to transnational threats. While Vietnam and Canada are geographically distant, their cooperation under the UN peacekeeping umbrella has broader implications for regional and global stability. Vietnam’s growing involvement in UN missions, supported by Canadian expertise, enhances its international standing and demonstrates its commitment to multilateralism.
For Canada, the partnership aligns with its foreign policy objectives of promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. Ottawa has increasingly sought to engage with Southeast Asian nations as part of its broader strategy to counterbalance regional tensions and support international norms. The collaboration with Vietnam, therefore, serves as a practical expression of Canada’s commitment to a rules-based international order.
Moreover, the agreement reflects a shared understanding of the importance of UN peacekeeping as a mechanism for addressing global conflicts. As both nations contribute personnel and resources to missions worldwide, their joint efforts could amplify the effectiveness of UN operations, particularly in regions plagued by instability. However, the success of this partnership will depend on sustained political will and the ability to navigate potential logistical or cultural challenges in implementing the framework.
Historical Context and Bilateral Ties
The Vietnam-Canada relationship has evolved significantly since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973. While early interactions were shaped by Canada’s role as a mediator during the Vietnam War, the focus has shifted over the decades to economic, cultural, and defense cooperation. The 2023 MoU on UN peacekeeping marked a turning point, providing a formal structure for collaboration in this critical area.
Defense ties have gained particular prominence in recent years, driven by shared interests in multilateral institutions like the UN. Vietnam, which began contributing to UN peacekeeping missions in 2014, has deployed personnel to conflict zones in South Sudan and the Central African Republic, earning recognition for its professionalism. Canada, with its long history of peacekeeping involvement, brings decades of experience to the partnership, creating a complementary dynamic.
The annual cooperation frameworks, such as the one signed on March 24, 2025, are designed to build on this foundation. They also align with Vietnam’s broader foreign policy of “bamboo diplomacy,” which emphasizes flexibility, resilience, and partnerships with diverse countries to safeguard national interests while contributing to global peace.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Despite the optimism surrounding the new framework, several challenges remain. Language barriers, for instance, could hinder the effectiveness of training programs, even with Canadian support for English and French courses. Additionally, differences in military structures and operational cultures between Vietnam and Canada may require careful navigation to ensure smooth collaboration.
Funding and resource allocation will also be critical. While Canada has committed to providing equipment to enhance Vietnam’s peacekeeping training capabilities, the specifics of this assistance—such as timelines and quantities—remain unclear. If resource constraints emerge, they could limit the scope of joint initiatives, particularly in areas like officer training and international workshops.
Nevertheless, the opportunities outweigh the challenges. The framework opens new avenues for Vietnam to modernize its peacekeeping capabilities, while allowing Canada to deepen its engagement with a key Southeast Asian partner. If both sides can sustain their momentum, the partnership could evolve into a broader defense collaboration, encompassing areas beyond UN peacekeeping.
Public and International Reactions
While official statements from Hanoi and Ottawa have been overwhelmingly positive, public reactions within Vietnam to the agreement have been mixed. Some citizens view the partnership as a positive step toward elevating Vietnam’s role on the global stage, while others express cautious optimism, awaiting tangible outcomes from the collaboration. Social media posts from Vietnamese users suggest a general appreciation for international partnerships, though there is limited awareness of the specifics of the Canada deal.
Internationally, the agreement has been noted by defense analysts as a small but meaningful contribution to UN peacekeeping efforts. Observers suggest that, if successful, the Vietnam-Canada model could inspire similar collaborations between other middle powers and emerging contributors to UN missions. However, no major statements from other regional players have emerged, indicating that the agreement is seen as a bilateral rather than a geopolitical development.
As Vietnam and Canada move forward with the 2025-2026 framework, the focus will be on translating commitments into action. With training programs, delegation exchanges, and gender equality initiatives on the horizon, the partnership holds the potential to make a lasting impact on UN peacekeeping—provided both nations remain dedicated to their shared goals. For now, the signing of this agreement stands as a testament to the power of international cooperation in addressing the world’s most pressing security challenges.
