Tet atmosphere fills Level 2 Field Hospital No. 7 in South Sudan. Though far from home, Vietnam’s blue berets have preserved the full spirit of the Lunar New Year on the harsh land of Africa.

While fireworks light up the sky and families gather in celebration back home, in Bentiu, South Sudan - where Vietnam’s Level 2 Field Hospital No. 7 is carrying out its United Nations peacekeeping mission - the security situation remains complex, with potential instability.

Amid rising localized tensions in Bentiu, peacekeeping forces continue to maintain a high state of readiness.

Rapid response shifts, urgent meetings and safety contingency plans are activated promptly, as the pace of work intensifies while medical duties must continue without interruption.

In these demanding conditions, the officers and staff of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 7 - Vietnam’s blue berets - have still made every effort to “wrap” their own spring filled with national identity.

More than anyone, Vietnamese sons and daughters far from home long to create a warm, reunited Tet space to ease homesickness, while sharing the beautiful cultural values of Vietnam with the international community at the mission.

Though far from the homeland, officers and staff of Vietnam’s Level 2 Field Hospital No. 7 in Bentiu, South Sudan strive to celebrate a warm and fulfilling Tet.

There may be no fresh northern peach blossoms or southern yellow apricot flowers, but along the hospital’s walkways and in its common rooms, carefully crafted “African version” blossom branches are thoughtfully decorated.

Simple peach and apricot branches, small “Spring Fair” stalls, and heartfelt wishes of peace shared among comrades and international friends blend together to create a distinctly Vietnamese Tet space in a land still facing many uncertainties.

From green dong leaves and white sticky rice grains sent from distant Vietnam to homegrown supplies cultivated by the unit, under the skillful hands of medical personnel - those who daily work with surgical instruments, stretchers and IV lines - banh chung and banh tet infused with the flavor of Tet are carefully prepared, wrapped with affection and meaning.

Soldiers and doctors of the field hospital invite international friends to join in wrapping traditional cakes and learning about Vietnamese Tet customs.

These are not only the tastes of Tet, but symbols of resilience, optimism, perseverance and the determination to preserve national identity thousands of kilometers from home, within a multinational and multicultural environment.

Tet here is not only a celebration for Vietnamese blue beret officers, soldiers and doctors. It has also become a cultural event for international colleagues at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Alongside welcoming the Lunar New Year, Level 2 Field Hospital No. 7 remains busy with its regular duties.

Over the years, Vietnam’s field hospitals have consistently been highly regarded by the United Nations for their professional capacity and expertise, as well as their friendly image among international partners.

Local residents and international colleagues join officers and staff of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 7 in celebrating Tet.

The unit organizes a spring fair with multiple booths to create a joyful traditional Tet atmosphere rich in national identity and to promote solidarity and creativity among hospital staff.

The fair also introduces Vietnamese culture, cuisine and regional characteristics to international friends.

In addition, the unit holds various sports exchanges and traditional games to foster a vibrant and lively atmosphere throughout the camp and sector.

The unit’s barracks become a cultural connection space where international friends enjoy Vietnamese Tet dishes and take photos in a spring setting.

On the 27th day of Tet, Level 2 Field Hospital No. 7 successfully performed emergency surgery on a patient with acute appendicitis.

The operation was completed successfully. The patient regained consciousness, vital signs stabilized and was transferred to post-operative monitoring in accordance with standard procedures.

In the moments leading up to the traditional Lunar New Year, as homesickness lingers on this distant frontline, Vietnam’s blue berets continue to quietly fulfill their noble mission for peace.

Level 2 Field Hospital No. 7 comprises 70 personnel - outstanding service members selected from military units nationwide, with its core drawn from Military Hospital 175.

In September 2025, the hospital and Engineering Company No. 4 deployed to carry out United Nations peacekeeping missions in South Sudan under UNMISS and in the Abyei area under UNISFA.

A Level 2 Field Hospital is a rapidly deployable temporary medical facility capable of providing essential healthcare in areas with urgent medical needs. To date, Vietnam has deployed seven Level 2 Field Hospitals.

UNMISS was established in 2011 under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1996, with the mandate to maintain peace, promote political stability and long-term economic development in South Sudan, while assisting the government in mitigating conflict and protecting civilians.

Tran Thuong