Vietnamese soldiers erect a 20-meter-tall New Year's pole to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Africa.

Two large water pipes left over from digging a well were repurposed by the 2nd Engineering Battalion to make a New Year's pole in Abyei, Africa.

A 20-meter-tall ceremonial pole stands out in the flag-raising area of the Command Headquarters in Abyei during the days leading up to Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year). The top of the pole is decorated with a 2-meter-high five-pointed star along with the national flag and the United Nations flag. This sacred symbol of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year shines even brighter at night thanks to the LED lights and colorful paper decorations.

A 20-meter-tall ceremonial pole was erected in the grounds of the 2nd Engineering Battalion's barracks. Photo: DCB — A 20-meter-tall ceremonial pole was erected in the grounds of the 2nd Engineering Battalion's barracks. Photo: *DCB*

Before Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), the 2nd Engineering Battalion of the Vietnamese peacekeeping force also organized a banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cake) making event, introducing Vietnamese culture to international friends and members of the UNISFA mission. Besides enjoying Vietnamese food, international guests learned about the origins of banh chung and banh day and even tried their hand at making them under the guidance of Vietnamese soldiers.

Representatives from the 2nd Engineering Brigade stated that 2024 marks the first year the United Nations recognizes Lunar New Year as a major public holiday, signifying international recognition of traditional East Asian culture. This provides an opportunity for officers and staff of the Vietnamese Engineering Brigade to celebrate a warm and fulfilling Lunar New Year.

Members of the UNISFA mission are guided by Vietnamese soldiers in wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). Photo: DCB — Members of the UNISFA mission are guided by Vietnamese soldiers in wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). Photo: *DCB*

During an online exchange on February 6th with Vietnamese peacekeeping forces, Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, said he was deeply moved and proud to hear the stories of Vietnamese blue beret officers and soldiers at peacekeeping missions during the period leading up to Tet.

"I had the opportunity to work in Abyei, so I understand even more clearly the hardships and difficulties that you comrades are going through. I am very pleased to see that you comrades in Abyei, as well as at all the troop deployment points, are striving to overcome all difficulties to successfully complete your tasks in the field," General Chien said.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence urged the Vietnamese blue beret forces to enjoy the Lunar New Year but to fulfill their duties well, ensuring the safety of their members amidst ongoing conflicts and instability in Africa; and to implement many innovative models that benefit the people in the region.

Abyei is a disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan. The two countries signed an agreement on June 20, 2011, committing to withdraw troops from the demilitarized zone in Abyei and establish a joint mechanism to resolve the issue, but so far there has been little substantive progress.

The 2nd Engineering Brigade, comprising 184 officers, was deployed to Abyei in August 2023 with the primary mission of humanitarian work, assisting the town's residents. The team regularly constructs and upgrades roads, bridges, drainage systems, school and hospital infrastructure in the area; and rescues vehicles in distress belonging to the United Nations and local residents.

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