More than a tribute to a proud military legacy, the event served as a bridge of friendship connecting Vietnam with the international community and local authorities.

Military heritage on display

A special highlight of the celebration was the exhibition of Vietnamese military history books, which drew great interest from international guests. Senior officers paused to flip through the pages, discovering the 81-year journey of Vietnam’s army.

These books not only offered historical insight but also conveyed the resilience, spirit, and identity of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” to the world.

Warriors of steel and soul

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Vietnamese Engineering Unit introduces military traditions to local and UNISFA leadership. Photo: Van Quyet

More than just builders of roads and bridges, Vietnam’s peacekeeping engineers in Abyei also brought along the sounds of bamboo flutes - gentle notes that resonated with poetry and peace.

Their performance told a different story: that of a people not only brave in battle but also deeply romantic and full of life. The raw, natural sounds of bamboo became a universal language, connecting peacekeepers from diverse backgrounds in a shared emotional experience.

Recognition from UN leadership

The presence of the Head of the UNISFA Mission affirmed the growing prestige of Vietnamese blue berets.

Lieutenant General Robert Yaw Affram, Force Commander of UNISFA, shared his heartfelt appreciation: “Vietnam’s Engineering Unit Rotation 4 is more than a team of road builders. You are ambassadors of kindness and professionalism. Your extraordinary efforts have transformed the infrastructure at this mission and created better working and living conditions for all peacekeepers here. The high-level delegation’s attendance today is a living testament to the international recognition of Vietnam’s tireless contributions - through heat, rain, and hardship.”

Building bridges beyond concrete

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Photo by Van Quyet.
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UNISFA Force Commander and local officials attend the celebration. Photo: Van Quyet

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Head of UN mission joins Vietnamese troops at UNISFA anniversary. Photo: Van Quyet

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Young engineer performs bamboo flute music at the ceremony. Photo: Van Quyet

Responding to this admiration, Lieutenant Colonel Trinh Van Cuong, head of the Vietnamese engineering unit, emphasized: “We are not just building steel bridges - we are building bridges of understanding and friendship between UNISFA, the local government, and the people of Abyei.”

That message was brought to life through a vibrant culinary journey. The same hands that usually operated excavators and bulldozers now lovingly prepared pho, spring rolls, and iced milk coffee - signature Vietnamese dishes that quickly won over international guests.

Lasting local appreciation

Kon Maneit Matiok, Minister of Infrastructure and Public Services, speaking on behalf of the local government, praised the peacekeeping unit for bringing both security and development to the region.

He expressed gratitude for the Vietnamese engineers’ work in transforming local infrastructure - bringing tangible, daily improvements to community life in Abyei.

As the ceremony ended with firm handshakes and heartfelt smiles, it marked not just the close of a formal event, but the beginning of new bonds of solidarity in this sun-scorched land.

Vietnam’s new mission in Abyei

Vietnam’s Engineering Unit Rotation 4 comprises 184 personnel from diverse military branches: the Air Defense - Air Force, Navy, Military Regions 1 to 4, Corps 12, and the Engineering, Special Forces, and Signal Corps, along with staff from the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations and other key units.

They departed for Abyei on September 26, succeeding Rotation 3 in their peacekeeping mission.

Abyei remains a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan. In 2011, both nations agreed to demilitarize the area and create a joint mechanism for governance, though substantive progress has yet to be made.

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) was established in 2011 by UN Security Council Resolution 1990, tasked with protecting civilians and promoting demilitarization.

Tran Thuong