(VOVWORLD) - A Vietnamese military engineering unit will join the UN peacekeeping force in Abyei and South Sudan this month. Holding different duties, the blue-beret soldiers share a mission of ensuring peace, building political stability, protecting the people, and boosting economic growth in conflicted countries.
The 184 soldiers of Military Engineering Unit No. 1 are training for their upcoming mission. For days they have been practicing techniques related to work accidents, health care, crowd dispersal, negotiations, media relations, property protection, security protection, ambushes, and guard duty.
Captain Le Huy Khanh, Deputy Head of the Engineering Unit No 1’s logistics division, said, "The latest training courses and exercises prepared staff to deal with snake bites, serious and minor injuries, and other situations that might arise during the mission."
 Major Chu Ba Hieu, head of the well drilling and water purification equipment operations team. (Photo: VOV) |
Major Chu Ba Hieu, head of the well drilling and water purification equipment operations team, said "It’s an honor for me to join the peacekeeping mission. In addition to building bridges and roads and improving local infrastructure facilities, we’ll also take charge of communications and humanitarian works, help other units and the locals in production and husbandry farming in order to improve their lives.
Lieutenant Le Dong Truong said, "My biggest wish is to complete all my assigned tasks. I’ll do my utmost to help local people grow crops and raise livestock for a better life."
With desire to help other people live in peace, Major Nguyen Thi Thanh Hai, a former doctor at Hospital 103 of the Military Medical Academy, decided to leave her family to go to South Sudan for duty.
She said, "We think of ourselves as soldiers who complete their mission at the call of the Party and State. What we saw on TV and other media about Abyei and South Sudan touched our hearts. It was difficult seeing little children wandering the streets. These images made me want to join the peacekeeping mission."
 Blue-beret Vietnamese soldiers are ready for peacekeeping mission in Africa (Photo: VOV) |
For Uncle Ho soldiers, working in difficult circumstances help sharpen their skills and stance. The mission is more significant to them as they can contribute to bringing peace, confidence, and hope to other people.
Colonel Khong Manh Hung, Vice Chairman of Politics of the Military Engineering Service under the Ministry of National Defense, said, "Vietnam received generous support from African people when we were invaded by foreigners. Now Vietnamese people enjoy peace, integration, and development. We understand deeply the importance of peace and will always be grateful for the sacrifices that made it possible."
Vietnamese soldiers in blue berets will participate in UN peacekeeping to build political stability, protect people, and boost economic development in struggling countries.