Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga - The brave, intelligent and enthusiastic diplomat in me

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga’s passing. Although I knew she had been battling illness for a long time, I still could not believe that this day had come so soon. It felt as if a huge void had opened up in the hearts and memories of those who had worked and been close to her.

Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga working in Indonesia in August 2016. (Photo: NVCC)

Throughout her diplomatic career, she left indelible marks – from international negotiations to the country’s macro-integration strategies. But above all, she left in the hearts of her colleagues the respect and admiration for her qualities as a diplomat with courage, intelligence, discipline, full of creative energy and always putting the national interest first.

Today, when writing these lines, I not only remember her, but also want to recount a memory that I still remember clearly, as if the event had just happened yesterday. It was an August afternoon in Jakarta, when I was holding the position of Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia and had the opportunity to accompany her in an unprecedented event.

Background and opportunity

On August 10, 2016, Jakarta was a sunny day, but inside the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, the political and economic atmosphere was hotter than ever. At that time, the Trans -Pacific Partnership (TPP) was the central topic in the region. The world was watching every move of ASEAN and Indonesia was expected to join, but there was still much debate within the country.

In that context, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia, wanted to invite a delegation from our country to share experiences in negotiating to join the TPP. At my request, Vietnam decided to send a working delegation to Indonesia to share experiences and views on the TPP, with the aim of creating mutual understanding and trust.

The keynote speaker for the high-level dialogue with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga – a diplomat whom I have always admired for her vision and ability to communicate strategic ideas in a clear and understandable manner.

As soon as I received the notice that she would be coming, I understood that this was not just an exchange, but an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm its pioneering position and proactive thinking in integration. I told my colleagues at the Embassy: “We must prepare this event carefully, because it will be a mark of Vietnam's foreign relations in Indonesia.”

Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga working at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 2016. (Photo: NVCC)

Unprecedented event

It was the first time in the history of bilateral cooperation that the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized two working sessions for a Vietnamese speaker: a closed session for senior leaders and an open dialogue with the public, press and scholars.

That day, the large hall of KEMLU (Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) was packed with more than 200 attendees, including 3 Director Generals (equivalent to Deputy Ministers), nearly 20 Directors, representatives of 19 Indonesian ministries and agencies, diplomats, reporters and students from many universities. The VIP seats were placed right in the center. When she stepped onto the podium, the entire room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in long applause.

I still clearly remember the image of Ms. Nguyet Nga in a bright pink suit, her face radiant but full of concentration. She opened with a formal but friendly greeting, then went straight to the point: Why is TPP not just a trade agreement, but “a strategic turning point for ASEAN to upgrade its central role”?

I have witnessed many diplomatic presentations, but that day, I was really attracted by the way she analyzed. Instead of reading a dry speech, she spoke like a companion, combining a macro vision with specific evidence.

She emphasized: “Integration is not a short-term game of commercial interests. It is a long-term strategy to ensure ASEAN maintains its central role in the changing regional structure.”

That statement still resonates with me today. She asserted that Vietnam and Indonesia – two major economies of ASEAN – must work together to shape the rules of the game, instead of just reacting to fluctuations.

The Q&A session was a testament to her mettle. The question from an Indonesian scholar was: “Will TPP weaken ASEAN?” She smiled and answered gently but convincingly: “TPP is not a challenge for ASEAN, but an opportunity for ASEAN to upgrade itself.”

The whole auditorium erupted in applause. I saw the eyes of many Indonesian officials filled with sympathy and admiration.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-nguyen-nguyet-nga-nha-ngoai-giao-ban-linh-tri-tue-va-nhet-huet-trong-toi-321313.html