Bắc Ninh
Le Thi Hang – The "missile woman" from Bac Ninh awarded the title of hero at 40
BAC NINH - Lieutenant Colonel Le Thi Hang, Director of the C4 Centre at Viettel Aerospace Institute under the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group, is a standout figure in the field of modern defence science and technology.
Leading a team dedicated to researching and designing high-tech weaponry in a field traditionally dominated by men, she has demonstrated the mettle and intellect of a military scientist. At the age of 40, Hang was honoured with the title “Hero of the People's Armed Forces”.
 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel Le Thi Hang. |
Born in 1985 in Vu Ninh ward, Bac Ninh province, Le Thi Hang showed a strong interest in natural sciences from a young age.
From her final year of primary school through grade 9, she pursued math at Nguyen Dang Dao Secondary School - one of the province's top institutions for gifted students.
It was here that her logical thinking and analytical skills were rigorously developed. Determined to pursue her passion, she continued in the advanced math class at the prestigious Han Thuyen High School, known for producing generations of outstanding students.
With a strong passion for technology, Hang set her sights on the Hanoi University of Science and Technology - an institution highly sought after by students interested in science and engineering.
She majored in Electrical - Electronics - Mechanics, a challenging field, particularly for women, who are often underrepresented in technical disciplines.
In 2007, while in her final year of university, Hang was selected to intern at Viettel's Network Optimisation Center, specialising in optimising wireless networks and ensuring mobile network quality.
The professional working environment, the willingness of experienced staff to mentor younger colleagues, and a culture of innovation inspired her to commit long-term to Viettel.
From 2010 to 2011, as the Viettel Research and Development Institute was established, Hang moved to work here. In 2012, the Ministry of National Defence tasked Viettel with developing advanced military equipment - a field that had seen little domestic activity.
Hang was among the first engineers chosen to embark on this challenging yet rewarding journey. As a radio network optimisation engineer, she and her teammates began laying the groundwork for infrastructure, from research to design, production, and testing of advanced defence technologies.
Lieutenant Colonel Le Thi Hang now serves as the Director of the C4 Centre, one of Viettel Aerospace Institute's core units. Overcoming initial shortages in equipment and limited access to technical materials, she and her team embraced self-study, independent research, and gradually built a capable R&D infrastructure.
 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel Le Thi Hang and her teammates at the product acceptance ceremony of Viettel Aerospace Institute. |
The C4 Centre has since reached a level comparable to regional and global standards, capable of handling advanced defense technology research.
After more than a decade of dedication, the achievements of Hang and her team at the C4 Centre have been widely recognised.
The weapon systems and military equipment they designed and were showcased at the Vietnam Defence Expo 2024, participated in the parade at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 2025, and most recently featured at the national exhibition “80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness” in September 2025.
For her outstanding contributions, Hang has received numerous awards, including “Outstanding Soldier of the Armed Forces,” the "The Best of Viettel" Award (Top 8 Individuals and Top 8 Teams), the Third-Class Fatherland Safeguarding Order, and the Certificates of Merit from the Vietnam Women's Union, the General Political Department, the Minister of National Defence, and the Prime Minister. Her highest honour came on August 15, 2025, when the President of Vietnam officially awarded her the title “Hero of the People's Armed Forces”, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the modernisation of the nation's defence system.
Reader's comments (0)