Proud to be a UN peacekeeper

Having just returned to his unit after a year of international duty in the Abyei region (the border area between Sudan and South Sudan) with many difficulties and dangers, Senior Lieutenant, professional soldier Nguyen Huy Thang still wrote a volunteer application to continue participating in the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

Honor

Senior Lieutenant, professional soldier Nguyen Huy Thang, born in 1980 in Thanh Lieu residential area, Tan Hung ward (Hai Duong city), is currently working at the Logistics - Technical Department, Hai Duong Provincial Military Command.

Mr. Thang was born and raised in a family with a father who worked in the army, so he always cherished the dream of wearing a military uniform and contributing to the Vietnam People's Army.

After many years of hard work, his dream finally came true. In 2002, Thang joined the army and was stationed in Go Vap District (Ho Chi Minh City). After several job transfers, in 2016, Thang was transferred to the Provincial Military Command and worked in the Logistics and Engineering Department.

On a cold winter day, we met Mr. Thang while he was being treated at Military Hospital 103 (Hanoi). He had been treated at the hospital for nearly ten days due to a relapse of malaria.

During the fever, his body was shaking, but Mr. Thang was still cheerful and optimistic: "It's okay, I'm still healthy. I have "experience" with malaria so I don't feel worried." Nearly a year ago, while on duty in Abyei, Mr. Thang also had malaria. It was the first time he had malaria so he was a bit scared. However, like many other teammates, after a period of treatment, the malaria has stabilized. "Now I just hope to recover quickly so I can continue on my international mission," Mr. Thang said.

Previously, at the end of 2022, Mr. Thang voluntarily applied and was accepted to join the Vietnam Engineering Team No. 2 to go on an international mission. After a period of training and coaching, in August 2023, Mr. Thang and his teammates were honored to depart for a United Nations peacekeeping mission at the United Nations Interim Security Mission in Abyei (UNISFA).

Recalling that important moment, Mr. Thang said: “I was very honored and proud to wear the green beret for the first time as a driver. Being able to contribute to the United Nations peacekeeping mission at the UNISFA Mission with my teammates, spreading the beautiful image of Uncle Ho's soldiers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army to international friends, I feel my work and duty are very sacred.”

Together with other teammates, in Abyei, Mr. Thang performed engineering tasks to ensure the activities of the UNISFA mission. He and his teammates supported the local people in repairing houses, repairing roads, carrying out volunteer projects and stabilizing the residential situation. He actively and proactively organized civil mobilization activities and provided humanitarian support to the Abyei community.

Vietnam's 2nd Engineer Team is the pioneer unit in implementing and building the Mission's smart barracks.

After completing their term of service at the United Nations Interim Security Mission in Abyei (UNISFA), the 2nd Engineer Team received a letter of commendation from the United Nations for their many contributions during their term of service, especially during the reconstruction of the Mission's infrastructure.

During his international mission in Abyei, Thang joined the 2nd Engineer Team to maintain and repair the main roads connecting Sudan and South Sudan through the Abyei area. This was a regular task for the unit during both the rainy and dry seasons. At the same time, he opened new patrol routes to ensure patrol security in the Abyei area. He and his teammates also assisted UN vehicles and local people who were stuck in heavy rain.

- When Vietnamese soldiers help people like that, do they love the soldiers like their own people? - I curiously asked Mr. Thang.

- Very friendly and warm! - Mr. Thang replied and continued: I remember, once my teammates and I helped people repair and fix a road damaged after heavy rain. The locals brought a goat to give to the soldiers. The children gave water. At that time, we were very moved because we felt close and familiar, like the people of our own homeland.

During his one-year term at the mission, Mr. Thang and his teammates have created many good impressions and images in the hearts of international friends in general and the people of Abyei in particular about a friendly, responsible and affectionate Vietnamese country and people.

Ready to do duty anywhere

Abyei is a border region between Sudan and South Sudan. It is a politically and security-insecure region. The risk of armed conflict, violence, and cattle rustling are prominent security issues here.

Not only that, the climate here is very harsh. In the dry season, the weather can be up to 50 degrees Celsius, the land is barren. In the rainy season, the sky is white, there are landslides, the roads are muddy or flooded, making it impossible to move. Therefore, the economy here is difficult to develop, the people's lives face many difficulties.

Despite facing many difficulties and dangers, less than 2 months after completing his mission and returning to his unit, Senior Lieutenant, professional soldier Nguyen Huy Thang volunteered to continue joining the 4th Engineering Team to go on an international mission.

His wish was approved by the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department. It is expected that by the end of 2025, Mr. Thang will continue to go on an international mission for the second time.

Although she always supports and encourages her husband to try to complete his duties, Ms. Tran Thi Len, Mr. Thang's wife, still feels hurt many times when she often has to take on the father's duties with the children.

Len confided that in the nearly 20 years she has been married to Thang, she has spent more than half of her time away from her husband. She has had to take on many tasks for him. Although she has gotten used to it, she still cannot avoid feeling sad and resentful. When her child was young, many times he was sick and had to go to the hospital, and only his mother took care of him, while other families had their husbands to help, so Len felt a little sad.

This time, Mr. Thang wanted to continue to go on an international mission far from home, and at first, Ms. Len did not agree. But knowing her husband's determination, she had to pack up her worries and encourage him to go with peace of mind. Ms. Len said: "I am not worried about the three of us at home, but more worried about him. I have researched and know that the area where he is going to do his mission is dangerous and arduous. Although I love and worry about my husband, seeing him always reassure his wife and children, I happily encourage him to go on his mission. I will be a strong support so that he can work with peace of mind."

Although he is still undergoing treatment, Mr. Thang still firmly said: "I always volunteer and wish to continue to contribute my small part to peacekeeping, to contribute a small part to continue with my teammates to carry out the noble mission of the "blue beret" soldiers entrusted by the Party, State and army".

Faced with Mr. Thang’s determination, Ms. Len remained silent for a long time. Although speechless, both Mr. Thang and Ms. Len understood the noble responsibility of a “green beret” soldier. They went on duty with a noble mission entrusted to them by the Party, the State and the army. Therefore, they kept their personal feelings to themselves and encouraged each other to try their best to complete the mission.

Talking to us about the unit's soldiers, Colonel Nguyen Huu Canh, Deputy Commander of the Provincial Military Command, said that Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Huy Thang is an enthusiastic and responsible person in performing his professional work. "He voluntarily and actively participated with his teammates in the United Nations peacekeeping mission. Comrade Thang's efforts are an example for his teammates and soldiers in the force to learn from," said Colonel Nguyen Huu Canh.