Overcoming hardship and danger, Vietnamese soldiers serving in United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa are building bridges, restoring roads and bringing smiles to communities across the “Black Continent.”
During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh taught that “patriotism and internationalism are closely connected,” emphasizing that “helping friends is helping ourselves.”
Inspired by his teachings, Vietnam’s peacekeeping forces have consistently sought to uphold those traditions throughout the years.
Children smile as they receive gifts sent from Vietnam across half the globe. Photo: Engineering Unit
This May, amid the harsh winds and heat of Abyei, Vietnamese blue helmet soldiers continue working quietly on construction sites across the disputed region.
Guided by President Ho Chi Minh’s ideals of peace and humanity, Vietnam’s Engineering Unit No. 4 has been turning those values into roads, bridges and joyful moments for local residents in Africa.
Through simple yet dedicated acts, the unit has continued to highlight the humanitarian values associated with Ho Chi Minh’s legacy while projecting the image of the “Uncle Ho soldiers” in a new era.
In the early days of deployment, Vietnamese peacekeepers faced not only extreme weather, disease and limited infrastructure, but also security threats, political instability and homesickness.
It was under those conditions that the resilience and spirit of Vietnamese soldiers became most evident.
At the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, or UNISFA, where communities regularly confront instability and severe shortages, the engineering unit has helped solve several critical local challenges.
The construction and restoration of key transport routes, including the rebuilding of the only Banton bridge before handing it over to local authorities, were not merely technical assignments.
They also contributed directly to regional security and socio-economic development.
Residents in Abyei join Vietnamese peacekeepers during the inauguration of key transportation projects. Photo: Engineering UnitPhoto: Engineering Unit
Every meter of road opened and every structure completed in Abyei stands as a clear demonstration of a responsible and compassionate Vietnam committed to helping create a stable environment.
While machinery helped level damaged terrain, the compassion of Vietnamese soldiers became the strongest bridge connecting with local communities and realizing humanitarian ideals centered on people.
Responding to urgent local needs, the unit also implemented practical support programs.
One notable initiative involved transporting 10 standard hospital beds from Vietnam to donate to Abyei’s Department of Health, helping ease pressure on the struggling healthcare system.
Water tanker trucks operated tirelessly to provide clean water for UN facilities and maintain weekly water supplies for local communities during the dry season.
Vietnam’s tradition of solidarity and mutual support has also traveled across continents, bringing warmth from home to international friends.
Recently, at a church compound in Abyei, hundreds of gift packages containing essential supplies, school materials and clothing donated by people in Vietnam were carefully distributed to local women and children.
“Thank you Vietnam! Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh!”
Rebuilt transport infrastructure has become a driving force for improving livelihoods in the field mission area. Photo: Engineering Unit
Speaking about the motivation behind the mission, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thanh Son, deputy commander of Engineering Unit No. 4, said: “We carry out this work with deep respect. We never forget Uncle Ho’s teaching that helping friends is helping ourselves. Every gift we give is not only material support but also a message of solidarity.”
“When we work with compassion, discipline and respect for local culture, we contribute to building a sustainable peace environment so that the tradition of being remembered and loved by the people wherever we go can continue spreading,” he said.
“Every officer and soldier must maintain professionalism and creativity in fulfilling all assigned tasks while building strong relationships with local residents and international colleagues,” he added.
Children wave Vietnamese flags during a gift distribution event. Photo: Engineering Unit
After directly visiting the area and witnessing the dedication and enthusiasm of Vietnamese blue helmet soldiers supporting education efforts, Abyei Education Minister Karbimo Dut expressed deep emotion and gratitude toward “friends from Vietnam.”
He said the commitment and goodwill shown by Vietnam’s peacekeeping force had brought great hope to local communities.
“Through books and newspapers, I learned about Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh, your great leader. Your presence and warmth today are the clearest evidence of those noble values,” he said.
Meanwhile, Father Archangelo Michael, representing a church in Abyei, along with community representatives, expressed gratitude for the meaningful gifts provided by the Vietnamese unit.
Through sincere connections with local residents, the people of Abyei have gradually come to regard Vietnamese soldiers as trusted friends and companions.
At every gift-giving location, the heartfelt words “Thank you Vietnam! Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh!” echoed continuously, becoming perhaps the clearest measure of the mission carried out by Vietnam’s blue helmet soldiers.
As the team commemorated the 136th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh in the heart of Africa, no bouquet was more meaningful than the smiles of Abyei’s children, and no song more sacred than the moment Vietnamese soldiers joined local residents in singing “As If Uncle Ho Were With Us on Victory Day.”
Engineering Unit No. 4 consists of 184 officers and personnel drawn from the Air Defense-Air Force Service, Navy, Military Regions 1, 2, 3 and 4, Army Corps 12, the Engineering Corps, Special Forces, Signal Corps, the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations and several other units.
The team departed for Abyei on September 26, 2025, replacing Engineering Unit No. 3.
Abyei is a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan.
In 2011, the two countries signed an agreement committing to troop withdrawals from the demilitarized area and establishing a joint mechanism to address the dispute.
However, little substantive progress has been achieved since then.
UNISFA was established in 2011 under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1990 with the mission of protecting civilians and promoting demilitarization in Abyei.
Vietnamnet.vn
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