In the final days of the twelfth lunar month of the Year of the Rabbit, from peacekeeping missions across the country – from the Central African Republic and the Republic of South Sudan (Africa) to the United Nations mission in New York (USA) – hundreds of soldiers and officers of the Vietnam People's Army and the Vietnam People's Public Security Force are still diligently carrying out their noble peacekeeping mission. 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Vietnam's deployment of forces to participate in peacekeeping missions, and also 10 years of celebrating Tet (Vietnamese New Year) away from home for Vietnamese soldiers and officers. Without the drizzling rain, the biting wind, the kumquat trees and peach blossoms of the North or the golden apricot blossoms of the South, these green-bereted soldiers have together created a warm and joyful Vietnamese Tet.
Vietnamese engineering troops prepare for Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) in Abyei. Despite varying family circumstances, the officers in their green berets, far from home and their homeland, share similar feelings: a longing for home and loved ones, but as soldiers, they must learn to live far from their families. Understanding the sentiments of the officers and soldiers, on the afternoon of the 26th day of the Lunar New Year, the Ministry of National Defense organized a special online meeting connecting Vietnamese officers, staff, and soldiers in various missions with their families, comrades, and colleagues. At the Abyei location (South Sudan), through the LED screen, loved ones were deeply moved to see their fathers, brothers, and sons smiling and sending many wishes. A Vietnamese Tet atmosphere stood out in the center of the meeting room from distant Africa. On a makeshift altar covered with military supplies, there were flowers, fruits, cakes, a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, the red flag with a yellow star of Vietnam, and the blue flag of the United Nations. On either side are two branches of peach and apricot blossoms, crafted from African forest branches by the hands of Vietnamese "green beret" soldiers.

MORE THAN JUST THE MISSION ASSIGNED

Colonel Mac Duc Trong, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, was one of the first two Vietnamese peacekeeping soldiers, along with Colonel Tran Nam Ngan, who departed for South Sudan in 2014 to serve as Liaison Officers.
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Colonel Mac Duc Trong during his first term in the peacekeeping mission.
In the lighthearted stories of the peacekeeping forces, Colonel Mac Duc Trong is often jokingly called "Mr. First Time," meaning the man of first times. Not only was he one of the first two Vietnamese peacekeeping officers, but he was also the first team leader of Vietnam's first peacekeeping engineering unit – Engineering Unit No. 1. Sitting from the Vietnamese side, he fondly recalled his two terms in peacekeeping operations in different capacities. "If I were to summarize my term of service, I would choose 'paving the way to victory.' This is exactly what the Party, State, and Army leaders entrusted to Engineering Unit No. 1 when it was first deployed in early 2022," Colonel Mac Duc Trong confided. Despite being the first unit in Vietnam deployed in a new area, the entire team strived to overcome all difficulties, successfully completing their mission and exceeding expectations. Colonel Trong also stated that when the team completed its mission and returned home, the local authorities were eager for the Engineering Team to continue its work for another 10 years to assist them. The team has completed numerous projects, including 11 classrooms, a library, and the construction and renovation of vital roads in Abyei… In October 2022, when the team drilled wells for the local people, it coincided with a visit by Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense. Lieutenant General Chien immediately directed the donation of a generator to the local community. This generator enabled the first-ever high school in Abyei to have its lights on, and subsequently, the students there had access to personal computers donated by the team.
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Connect online with the UNISFA mission in Abyei.
Currently, the 2nd Engineering Team is continuing the mission of the 1st Engineering Team. Colonel Mac Duc Trong expressed his concern: “There are still many unfinished tasks, because the people there are in great need. This includes building a civilian protection area – a long-held aspiration of the 1st Engineering Team, but one that couldn't be implemented due to land issues. Furthermore, two classrooms lost their roofs due to the impact of armed conflict, but the team couldn't proceed with the project because of a lack of roofing sheets.” Listening to Colonel Trong's concerns, from the Abyei location, Colonel Nguyen Viet Hung, Team Leader of the 2nd Engineering Team, announced the good news: the team has established a civilian protection area of ​​over 1 hectare, capable of supporting 200-300 people in emergency situations. Regarding the classroom roof, the team has developed a plan to source materials and will strive to complete the project as soon as possible. Teacher Satino, Principal of Abyei High School - which received a great deal of assistance from the Vietnamese engineering unit - happily announced that the electricity and water systems that Engineering Team No. 1 helped the school with are still functioning well.
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The blue beret soldiers and Abyei officials participated via online video link.
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The local authorities presented the Vietnamese Engineering Corps with a goat as a gift to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Abyei Regional Education Minister Nyinkwany Aguer Bol emphasized that the Vietnamese peacekeeping forces in the Abyei region not only performed peacekeeping duties but also "exceeded their assigned mission," making concrete contributions to assisting the local people. “Vietnamese soldiers have actively assisted us in building classrooms, libraries, and supporting local hospitals in medical missions. We highly appreciate the work you have done for Abyei and would like to express our gratitude to the Vietnamese Engineering Corps,” he said.

THE REAR AREA IS ALWAYS A SOLID SUPPORT SYSTEM

As Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, Mrs. Thieu Thi Kim Cuc (wife of Captain Bui Duc Vinh - 2nd Engineering Team) and her two sons, Hai Phong and Trung Hieu, miss their husband and father even more. Married for 14 years, this is the longest and furthest Mr. Vinh has ever been away on duty. His wife, with teary eyes, understands the duty of a "soldier of Uncle Ho," and always tries to appear strong. She remembers that this time last year in Vietnam, they were choosing peach blossoms and kumquats, and visiting both sides of the family to wish them a Happy New Year.
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Ms. Thieu Thi Kim Cuc with her two sons.
From the UNISFA (Abyei) mission, Captain Bui Duc Vinh waved to his wife and two young sons via a large screen. His wife, Ms. Cuc, said that they talked online almost every day, but today she was choked with emotion because his words of encouragement and support were delivered in front of his comrades and on the eve of Tet (Lunar New Year). Captain Vinh has been on duty for five months. When he left, she was worried because both children were at a crucial age for growth and development, especially their eldest son who was going through puberty and needed a father figure to guide and educate him.
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Captain Bui Duc Vinh had some emotional moments while interacting online with his family.
Since Vinh's father left for the front lines, the lives of the three of them have gradually stabilized. Hearing her husband's words, Cúc encouraged him and his comrades to take care of their health and strive to complete their mission. "Don't worry, the three of us and our extended family are all healthy at home," she reassured him. Their eldest son, Hải Phong, concluded the conversation with a message for his father far away: "I'm always thinking of you, Dad. Please be confident and focus on your work in Africa. I will always be well-behaved and study hard, and together with Mom and my younger sibling, we will be a strong support system so you can focus on your work."
From 2014 to the present, 792 Vietnamese People's Army and People's Police officers have participated in UN peacekeeping missions, receiving high praise from international friends and support from both domestic and international public opinion. Participation in peacekeeping operations contributes to enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the world. This strengthened position and prestige will give Vietnam a stronger voice in protecting national interests and contribute to the task of defending the homeland from afar through peaceful means.

vietnamnet.vn

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