Vietnamese 'Blue Beret' Soldiers and their Profound Message of Peace

Female soldier in blue beret: "We are ready to go on duty". Photo: phupuvietnam

Major General Hoang Kim Phung, director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations has completed about 8 years of peacekeeping and is quite proud of her work. As a Vietnamese "beret" soldier, she always leave a good mark, is recognized by international friends, remains trusted by the United Nations.

International friends support Vietnam

There will be more Vietnamese forces on their way to the UN peacekeeping mission. Is this the largest participation and the first time there is an engineering unit?

On April 27, Vietnam will organize a departure for the level 2 field hospital No. 4 and the engineering unit. Since Vietnam started participating in June 2014, this is the first time we have sent a large force to participate in UN peacekeeping operations .

Our engineering unit has been preparing for more than 5 years, with highly qualified personnel. They are all engineers, machinery experts, construction workers at high level selected from 21 units. In addition, there is a communication force, a level 1 field hospital and other security forces.

These units have all been prepared with professional knowledge and especially experience in operating in a multilateral environment at the UNISFA mission.

The UNISFA mission was formed in 2011, located in the area between Sudan and South Sudan. The United Nations decided to select one of 15 engineering units from several other countries, with the aim of choosing a higher quality unit to replace the Ethiopian engineering unit.

The United Nations' inspection team tested the capacity of 184 Vietnamese officers and soldiers, along with weapons and equipment. They found our engineering unit to be the most representative of the 15 units. At the end of October 2021, Vietnam' engineers were officially selected by the United Nations.

How are these units trained to meet mission requirements?

The Ministry of National Defense and the Central Military Commission have created favorable conditions for the engineering unit to access weapons, equipment, preparing for the mission.

The two main tasks of the engineering unit in the mission are to build ground works (airports, ports, drainage works, camps), drill wells to serve the lives of refugees. The second task is to build high-rise buildings.

For many countries, these are missions that require time to prepare. However, for our engineering unit, we have had experience in building much more complex defense works.

Our units have comprehensive information when they understand the local situation, the process to handle standards according to the requirements of the United Nations. We have experience in dealing with relationships in a multilateral environment.

We have also built a prestigious image of the Vietnamese People's Army and Uncle Ho's soldiers in countries such as South Sudan, Sudan, and the Central African Republic.

Therefore, when deploying the engineering unit, Vietnam received great support from host countries, international friends and especially the support of the United Nations leaders.

Image of Vietnam to international community

How does joining the peacekeeping force contribute to Vietnam's foreign policy and defense?

In today's world, no country can stand aside from conflicts, wars, and non-traditional security challenges.

The Ministry of Defense has also pointed out that the military must be the leading force in the new front, which is to participate in UN peacekeeping operations to demonstrate the responsibility of a member state.

Over the past eight years, the military has accomplished this mission. This is an honor and an opportunity to introduce the image of Vietnam. In the past, our country has always had the companionship and support of peace-loving people around the world. Currently, when our country has peace, we can help other countries.

Vietnam 'blue beret' soldiers. Photo: VNN

The various people in Africa see Vietnamese officers as a noble force for their country's progress and peace. In 2019, the South Sudanese government decided to establish diplomatic relations with our country.

During the past 8 years, we have sent over 200 Vietnamese officers and soldiers to participate in peacekeeping operations. We have not violated any regulations of the United Nations or the Vietnam People's Army. This is also a factor that makes international friends and member states participate in peacekeeping activities admire.

Will the previous advantages and experiences support this time?

We are excited when the rate of officers in Vietnam in recent years successfully completed their tasks is up to 33.3%, while this rate in the United Nations is only 1-2% on average.

Vietnam's engineering unit has a high proportion of women with 23 people, over 12.5%, while in other countries, it is only 6-7%. In addition, our level 2 field hospital also has a high percentage of women. The level 2 field hospital No. 3 has up to 13 women/63 people, accounting for 17%.

United Nations peacekeeping missions. Photo: VNN

In October 2019, when meeting with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said that Vietnamese officers are one of the most prestigious and capable forces to fulfill the tasks in UN missions.

This hased our officers' ability, health, qualifications and especially political qualities, ready to overcome challenges.

Our peacekeeping force has been promoted by the leaders of the United Nations and other countries for its successes over the past 8 years.

Vietnam will expand its operation area and send more forces to the missions.

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