A proud achievement of the 4th Engineering Battalion of Vietnam at Abyei.

In the last days of April, the Abyei region still bears its familiar harshness: hot, dry winds and storms that whip up thick clouds of red dust.

Báo Tin Tức•30/04/2026

On the characteristic black clay soil – a geological formation that once posed a nightmare for all motorized vehicles – a new road has emerged: the 37-kilometer-long Abyei-Agok connecting road, constructed by the 4th Engineering Battalion of Vietnam.

Photo caption

Vietnamese peacekeeping forces depart from Noi Bai International Airport ( Hanoi ) to carry out their UN mission at UNISFA. (Photo: An Dang/VNA)

During the road handover ceremony, hundreds of local residents lined both sides of the road, waving to the Vietnamese soldiers with great enthusiasm. As International Labor Day on May 1st approaches, this achievement takes on even deeper significance, serving as a vivid testament to the value of the persistent, creative, and responsible labor of the Vietnamese blue-beret soldiers, who are tirelessly contributing day and night to the United Nations' peacekeeping mission.

"Overcoming the sun and conquering the rain" in Abyei

According to information from the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department ( Ministry of National Defence ), the Abyei-Agok road is of special strategic importance to the UNISFA mission, as local authorities and residents have always hoped for convenient transportation links between the North (from Sudan) and the South (from South Sudan). As the only vital route serving patrol activities, humanitarian aid, and the movement of people, the road has severely deteriorated after many years of use due to the characteristic "black soil" and prolonged heavy rains. In the dry season, the road surface is cracked, rough, and dusty; in the rainy season, the ground becomes muddy and prone to sinking, causing vehicles to pass through. This situation not only disrupts traffic but also directly affects the mission's operations, hinders humanitarian aid efforts, and creates difficulties for the lives of local people.

Recognizing the strategic importance of the route, immediately after receiving the assignment from the mission and the request of the local authorities, the 4th Engineering Team of Vietnam promptly developed a plan, mobilized maximum manpower and equipment, and implemented a comprehensive approach to accelerate the project's progress. The challenge was further compounded by the unusual weather patterns in 2026: instead of starting in May as is customary every year, heavy rains began in mid-March, directly impacting construction progress. On the construction site, the engineering soldiers entered a "race against time" to complete the project before the rainy season.

Undeterred by difficulties, the officers and staff of Engineering Team No. 4 demonstrated a spirit of "overcoming the sun and rain," organizing continuous construction work every day from 6 am to 5 pm, taking advantage of holidays and weekends to work overtime. Approximately 70-80 personnel were mobilized along with nearly 30 trucks carrying 10-20 m³ of soil, 5 bulldozers, 4 rollers, 5 excavators, 6 excavators, 3 water tankers, 2 cranes, and many other pieces of equipment. On the construction site, the image of the soldiers in green berets diligently working from early morning, amidst the scorching sun and swirling red dust, was moving, showcasing their persistent work ethic. Every meter of road completed is the result of close coordination, strict discipline, and an unwavering will.

After 85 days of continuous construction, a large volume of work was completed, with nearly 300,000 m³ of black soil and approximately 70,000 m³ of sand excavated and filled; the roadbed was widened from 10 to 14 meters, with some sections reaching 20-25 meters; more than 31,700 m³ of murram material was laid, and a drainage system was installed. The road was completed 35 days ahead of schedule, ensuring smooth traffic flow for heavy vehicles. This achievement not only demonstrates the construction organization capabilities of the Vietnamese Engineering Corps but also reflects the dedicated and creative spirit of the soldiers of Uncle Ho under exceptionally difficult conditions.

Photo caption

The joy and pride of the soldiers of Engineering Team No. 4 as they set off to carry out peacekeeping missions. (Photo: Hien Hanh/TTXVN)

A new path and bridges of hope.

The road handover ceremony was attended by Major General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha, Commander of the UNISFA mission; Mr. Arop Deng Kuol, Deputy Chief of the Abyei Administrative District; Ms. Uchenna Odenigbo, Head of the Mission Support Services (CMS), along with key commanding officers of the mission, representatives of the local government, partner units, and a large number of local people. Amidst the joy of the local community and the appreciation from international partners, the new road is not only an infrastructure project but also a symbol of the tireless work ethic in harsh terrain and climate conditions.

Major General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha assessed that, since the establishment of the UNISFA mission in 2011, this is the first project of such significant scale and importance for the people of the region. The UNISFA mission commander emphasized that the completion of the road is an unprecedented achievement, opening up opportunities for infrastructure connectivity and enhancing security in the area. The efforts of the 4th Engineering Team deserve recognition and are considered outstanding. This recognition is also a tribute to the officers and staff of the 4th Engineering Team who silently worked on the construction site – those who contributed to transforming this difficult area into an important transportation route.

Ms. Uchenna Odenigbo, Head of the Mission Support Services (CMS) of the UNISFA mission, stated that every meter of road completed is a testament to the responsibility and dedication of the Vietnamese engineering corps. Opening the road before the rainy season brings a double benefit: improving travel conditions for the people and enhancing the logistical support capacity for the mission.

In the emotional atmosphere of the ceremony, Mr. Arop Deng Kuol, Deputy Chief of the Abyei Administrative District, expressed his sincere gratitude for the contributions of the 4th Engineering Battalion of the Vietnam People's Army. He stated that the once severely dilapidated road has now become one of the best quality roads in the region, contributing to changing the appearance of the locality and improving the lives of its people.

Responding to the sentiments from the local authorities and people, Lieutenant Colonel Trinh Van Cuong, Team Leader of Engineering Team No. 4 and Commander of the Vietnamese Forces at the UNISFA mission in the Abyei region, affirmed that helping the people is a command from the heart of every soldier. With the mission assigned to him, the unit always strives to bring the best values to the local community.

The joy of the handover day was further enhanced when the 4th Engineering Team was honored to receive a Letter of Commendation from the Head of the Abyei Special Administrative Region. The letter acknowledged the unit's effective coordination with local authorities and the UNISFA mission, its professional, disciplined, and highly efficient performance; its completion of the Abyei-Agok road ahead of schedule before the rainy season; and its implementation of several important projects such as repairing the Banton bridge and improving key roads serving the mission's operations and the lives of the local population.

The letter of commendation affirmed that the above results have contributed to improving infrastructure, promoting socio -economic development, and consolidating stability in the area; it also requested the UNISFA mission to consider recognizing Engineering Team No. 4 as an outstanding unit and expressed the desire to continue strengthening cooperation in the future.

Along with completing the construction project, the 4th Engineering Team also carried out practical humanitarian support activities. On this occasion, hundreds of essential supplies and school supplies were delivered directly to needy families, bringing joy to the children of Abyei. A highlight of the program was the transportation of 10 standard hospital beds from Vietnam to support the local health sector, contributing to improved patient care capacity. These simple gifts, though modest, embody the spirit of sharing and demonstrate the responsibility of the Vietnamese peacekeeping force towards the local community.

More than just an infrastructure project, the Abyei-Agok road opens up opportunities for socio-economic development, strengthens regional stability, and enhances connectivity between communities. The project's success serves as a model of dedicated work ethic in the sun-drenched Abyei region – where the sweat of Vietnamese engineering soldiers has mingled with the soil, paving a new path for development, stability, and instilling hope for the future in people in this still unstable area.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/dau-an-tu-hao-cua-doi-cong-binh-so-4-viet-nam-tai-abyei-20260430132235081.htm