Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnamese rescue and relief team has been highly praised by Venezuelan authorities for its dedication, professionalism, and discipline, with its search-and-rescue and humanitarian support activities leaving a strong positive impression.
The professionalism demonstrated by the Vietnam People’s Army rescue and relief team has made a deep impression on Venezuelan authorities during joint efforts to overcome the aftermath of the earthquake in the South American country.
Lieutenant Colonel Raul Serrano Chacon from the Command of the Presidential Guard, who served as coordinator for the Vietnamese rescue team during its mission in Venezuela, said cooperation between the two sides proceeded smoothly, with no major obstacles.
According to him, the main initial difficulty was the language barrier, which was quickly overcome as several of the Vietnamese team members were able to communicate in Spanish.
“I would like to express my profound appreciation for the dedication, professionalism and discipline that the Vietnamese team demonstrated from the moment they arrived in Venezuela,” Lieutenant Colonel Raul Serrano Chacon said.
The coordinator said that despite extremely challenging working conditions, including the risk of structure collapse, aftershocks, thick dust, and the smell of casualties at the scene, as well as difficult living conditions, Vietnamese soldiers showed strong adaptability, a high sense of responsibility, and close coordination in carrying out their mission.
“Members of the Vietnamese team demonstrated excellent adaptability to the mission environment. They were capable, professional, highly dedicated, and worked closely together,” he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Raul Serrano Chacon said what touched him most during the time accompanying the Vietnamese team was the affection and gratitude shown by the Venezuelan people towards the rescuers.
From bottles of drinking water and fruit offered at rescue sites to heartfelt words of thanks, residents expressed their appreciation for the Vietnamese officers and soldiers who had travelled halfway around the world to help search for victims, provide medical check-ups, distribute free medicines, donate essential supplies and assist residents in moving their belongings.
“Could there be a deeper gesture of solidarity than this? What the Vietnamese team did helped comfort the victims’ families. Effectiveness, professionalism, discipline, compassion and solidarity were all demonstrated throughout the team’s mission in Venezuela,” Lieutenant Colonel Raul Serrano Chacon affirmed.
Once the mission in Venezuela was complete, Major General Pham Van Ty, head of the Vietnam People’s Army rescue and relief team, presented a souvenir gift and expressed gratitude to Lieutenant Colonel Raul Serrano Chacon for his support and close coordination during the team’s deployment.
Earlier, Vietnam sent a 124-member rescue and relief team to Venezuela to assist with recovery efforts following a twin earthquake that struck the country in late June 2026.
During nearly two weeks of operations in La Guaira State, the team worked with local forces to search for and rescue dozens of victims from collapsed buildings. It also provided medical examinations, free medicines, essential supplies, and support for people in affected areas.
The team’s contributions were recognised and praised by the Venezuelan Government and people. The Venezuelan government assigned Lieutenant Colonel Raul Serrano Chacon to coordinate and support the Vietnamese team throughout its mission./.
