President Vo Van Thuong attends the departure ceremony of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5 and Engineering Team No. 2

President Vo Van Thuong affirmed that the Party and State always trust and are proud of the achievements of Vietnam's peacekeeping forces in the past.

Chủ tịch nước Võ Văn Thưởng dự Lễ xuất quân của Bệnh viện dã chiến cấp 2 số 5 và Đội Công binh số 2

President Vo Van Thuong attended the ceremony. (Source: VNA)

On the morning of June 29th, at Tan Son Nhat Airport ( Ho Chi Minh City), President Vo Van Thuong attended and delivered a speech of encouragement at the departure ceremony of the Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5 and Engineering Team No. 2 to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations in South Sudan and the Abyei region.

Field Hospital Level 2 No. 5 (replacing Field Hospital Level 2 No. 4) is deployed to South Sudan. The hospital has 63 personnel (including 11 women), selected from several military regions, corps, Military Hospital 175, the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, and other units.

The participating forces are thoroughly trained in all aspects, including politics, military affairs, logistics, technical expertise, medical skills, and peacekeeping knowledge closely aligned with real-world situations, fully meeting the criteria of the United Nations and the requirements for carrying out missions at the Mission.

The 2nd Engineering Team replaced the 1st Engineering Team in the Abyei area. The team consists of 184 personnel (including 19 women), drawn from various military regions, branches of the armed forces, the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, and units throughout the military. The team received specialized training in areas such as international humanitarian law, prevention of sexual violence, explosive ordnance identification, engineering expertise exchange, foreign languages, medical services, and technical logistics, meeting the requirements of the Mission as well as those of the United Nations.

Equipped with all necessary equipment and supplies, 100% of the officers and staff of both units are highly determined and ready to embark on their mission.

Presenting the decisions and the national flag to the forces at the departure ceremony, President Vo Van Thuong commended, acknowledged, and highly appreciated the officers, soldiers, and blue beret forces of Vietnam, including the officers, staff, and soldiers of the Level 2 Field Hospital Team No. 4 and Engineering Team No. 1, for the encouraging results achieved.

The President affirmed that the Party and State always trust and are proud of the achievements of Vietnam's peacekeeping forces in the past; and at the same time, trust that the units deployed to the mission areas to replace the previous peacekeeping forces will continue the tradition, inherit the achievements of previous peacekeeping forces, and demonstrate courage, intelligence, and capacity in fulfilling the noble tasks entrusted by the Party, State, Army, and People, meeting the requirements of the United Nations, and living up to the tradition of Uncle Ho's soldiers in carrying out United Nations peacekeeping missions.

"The baggage you carry with you is national pride, unity, initiative, creativity, professionalism, and the noble qualities of 'Uncle Ho's soldiers' in the new era. With the support of the United Nations and friendly nations, and the backing of international partners, you will make effective and practical contributions to regional and international peace and security, enhancing the country's position and prestige; affirming a responsible Vietnam, a Vietnamese people who cherish peace and are conscious of their noble duty, and the aspiration for all people around the world to live in peace, stability, security, and prosperity," the President said.

President Vo Van Thuong encouraged the forces departing to carry out United Nations peacekeeping missions. (Source: VNA)

The President emphasized that, nearly 10 years after the Politburo approved the "Overall Plan on Vietnam's Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations," Vietnam has basically completed the mechanisms and created the legal basis for deploying the Vietnam People's Army and the Vietnam People's Police to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations outside Vietnam's territory. To date, Vietnam has sent 533 officers and professional soldiers to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations and has effectively fulfilled its responsibilities in its assigned roles and duties.

The achievements of Vietnam's United Nations peacekeeping forces are highly appreciated in many important areas, participating in resolving international issues, responding to traditional and non-traditional challenges in the region and around the world, contributing to the fulfillment of the noble mission, and working together to realize the United Nations' "Sustainable Development Goals" and "Millennium Goals".

Looking ahead, President Vo Van Thuong requested the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, and all forces and individuals assigned to peacekeeping duties to fully and deeply understand the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and regulations, especially regarding foreign affairs and international integration, with the goal of protecting national and ethnic interests, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law to which Vietnam is a signatory.

The Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense continue to lead and direct the effective implementation of the overall plan on Vietnam's participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations and Resolution No. 130 of the National Assembly on participation in United Nations peacekeeping forces.

Along with the task of ensuring the highest level of security and safety for Vietnamese forces participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations, the President requested an improvement in the operational effectiveness of Vietnamese forces in mission areas; actively researching and advising on strategies to gradually participate more extensively, expanding the forces, areas, and positions involved, especially in command and management positions at the United Nations Headquarters and mission areas where Vietnam has strengths such as military control, communications, and helicopter transport…

At the same time, it aims to create a sustainable workforce, increase the proportion of female soldiers participating in the armed forces, and meet the United Nations' Strategy on Gender Equality for the period 2018-2028.

President Vo Van Thuong with the forces departing to carry out United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. (Source: VNA)

The President also requested an improvement in the quality of force preparation and training in all aspects, especially in professional and technical skills for peacekeeping; promoting initiative, creativity, self-reliance, self-improvement, and proactive adaptation in carrying out tasks at peacekeeping missions under difficult conditions, in accordance with the United Nations' "Action for Peace" initiative.

Recognizing that Vietnam's participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations is entering a new phase, with a new mindset, new opportunities, and new challenges, the President expressed confidence that with the correct leadership and guidance, the efforts and determination of agencies and forces, and building upon the traditions of the nation and the Vietnam People's Army, Vietnam's UN peacekeeping forces will strive with courage and resilience to overcome all difficulties and successfully fulfill their assigned tasks.

Sending best wishes to the forces departing for their mission, wishing them "steadfastness and resilience," "safe journeys," and "victory," worthy of being "ambassadors of peace and friendship," on this occasion, the President respectfully thanks the United Nations, international partners, and peace-loving people around the world for their active support to Vietnam in preparing its forces and deploying them to fulfill its peacekeeping mission at UN peacekeeping missions.

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