The Royal Australian Air Force is flying the first group of 32 Vietnamese peacekeepers, medical team along with equipment and supplies to South Sudan.
Before departure, Vietnam’s Deputy Defence Minister, Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, thanked Australia for its help.
He told the contingent that Vietnam now has a responsibility to help bring peace to parts of Africa and other regions stricken by violence.
The UN Deputy Chief of Joint Operations Command, Major General Greg Bilton, said the deployment was critical for Vietnam.
They are now going to play a part on the world stage with a very important capability to a very high standard of UN mission.
A second aircraft from Royal Australian Air Force will carry the rest of the 70-strong Vietnamese team to South Sudan.
The contingent includes doctors, nurses, support personnel and everything it takes to run a field hospital.