Members of Engineering Unit Rotation 2 of Việt Nam make the traditional chưng cake for Tết celebration.

Members of Engineering Unit Rotation 2 of Việt Nam, who are performing duties at the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), have held a number of meaningful activities in celebration of the coming Lunar New Year (Tết) 2024.

The activities have helped enhance solidarity among the UN peacekeeping units at UNISFA as well as between them and residents in the Abyei Area, according to the Việt Nam Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of National Defence.

Major Nguyễn Mậu Vũ, Commissar of the Engineering Unit, said that celebrating major anniversaries and Tết is among important activities the unit has made plans on since they assumed duties at UNISFA. In particular, the recent official recognition of the Lunar New Year as a UN floating holiday holds great significance for peacekeepers like them who often celebrate Tết far away from their families.

To mark the Year of the Dragon 2024, Engineering Unit Rotation 2 has built detailed plans on each activity like making “chưng” cakes – a signature dish of Tết, holding room decoration and cooking competitions, planting the “nêu” pole – another symbol of Tết, and organising folk games.

The unit has also organised a volleyball exchange with residents in Abyei, presented gifts to locals, and invited them to try traditional dishes of Việt Nam.

The activities aim to help the “blue beret” soldiers celebrate a merrier New Year festival besides their comrades, support their spiritual life, and introduce the Vietnamese culture to locals, Vu said.

However, the entire unit hasn’t neglected their duties, including preparing plans to protect security and safety for their base amid complex and unpredictable developments in Abyei, the officer added.

On behalf of the unit, he wished Vietnamese people nationwide and abroad good health, joy, happiness, and good luck in the New Year. — VNS