In early October, 184 officers and personnel from Vietnam’s Level-2 Engineering Unit Rotation 4 arrived at the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) mission area, officially taking over from Engineering Unit 3.

Leaving behind peaceful days with family and unfinished personal plans, the Vietnamese blue berets embarked on a new mission in the harsh African landscape.

In their first days on duty, they faced not only harsh weather, disease, and limited infrastructure but also challenges in security, political instability, safety risks, and homesickness.

At such moments, the spirit and determination of "Uncle Ho’s soldiers" became most evident. Lieutenant Colonel Trinh Van Cuong, Unit Commander, shared that amid ongoing global conflicts and local wars, Vietnamese People's Army troops in general, and the peacekeepers in particular, are making every effort to fulfill their international responsibilities.

Though extensively trained beforehand, it was not until they set foot in Abyei that the Vietnamese engineering troops truly experienced the area's unforgiving conditions and difficult living environment.

Each officer and soldier is required to uphold professionalism and creativity in order to complete all assigned tasks and foster strong relationships with local communities and international colleagues.

Immediately after stabilizing equipment and logistics, the unit began work in earnest. The most urgent task was to build and reinforce their base, ensuring a safe and solid "home" in the conflict zone.

At the base, one can easily see eyes filled with hope, warm greetings after a long journey, and sweat dripping down faces in the African sun.

In their early days, the team commenced specialized tasks. Engineering subunits began repairing roads damaged by flooding, while the medical team quickly established a clinic to provide healthcare support.

Overcoming language differences with friendly smiles and meaningful support, the first meetings with local women and children have served as a bridge, sowing seeds of trust and hope.

“We came not only to fulfill the mission assigned by the United Nations but also to carry with us the image of a peace-loving Vietnam and to promote the noble values of Uncle Ho’s soldiers to international friends,” affirmed Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Cong, Political Officer of Engineering Unit 4.

Engineering Unit 4 consists of 184 personnel selected from various branches including the Air Defense - Air Force Service, Navy Service, Military Regions 1 through 4, Corps 12, and specialized corps including Engineering, Commando, Signal, and units under the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The unit departed for Abyei on September 26 to replace Engineering Unit 3.

Abyei is a disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan. In 2011, both nations signed an agreement to withdraw forces from the demilitarized zone and establish a joint mechanism for resolution. However, little real progress has been achieved to date.

UNISFA was established in 2011 under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1990 with the mandate to protect civilians and promote demilitarization in Abyei.

Meanwhile, at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan, Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 6 (BVDC2.6) officially handed over its duties to Rotation 7 (BVDC2.7).

BVDC2.7, consisting of 63 personnel, departed on September 22 to take over the mission from BVDC2.6.

After a week of intense coordination and effort despite various hardships, the two units worked closely together to maintain medical operations while fully completing inventory checks and handover procedures.

Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Tran Anh Duc, Director of BVDC2.6, provided a comprehensive overview of the previous rotation, highlighting its achievements, challenges, and valuable field experience.

Major, Dr. Tran Duc Tai, Director of BVDC2.7, expressed that with leadership support, guidance from predecessors - particularly from BVDC2.6 - and the unity of the team, his hospital will continue the tradition of excellence and fulfill all tasks entrusted by the Party, State, people, and military.

The two directors signed the handover minutes and transferred the official seal, marking an important milestone in the transition between rotations.

Upon arrival, BVDC2.7 personnel immediately began cultivating vegetables on-site to ensure a stable source of fresh greens for the unit.

With thorough preparation and a strong foundation built by BVDC2.6, combined with the determination, unity, and responsibility of the new team, BVDC2.7 is expected to continue showcasing the resilience, intellect, and compassion of Vietnamese military doctors on their humanitarian mission for international peace.