Vietnam Expands UN Peacekeeping Role with Deployments to South Sudan and Abyei

Vietnam has further expanded its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations with the deployment of two new units. The Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8 has been dispatched to South Sudan, while the Engineering Unit Rotation 5 will be deployed to the Abyei region. Major General Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Viet Nam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, stated at the ceremony that both units have met all deployment requirements and are ready to perform their duties according to UN standards and mission-specific needs, following comprehensive and coordinated preparations. The Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8 comprises 63 military personnel and will replace Rotation 7 at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Bentiu. The Engineering Unit Rotation 5 consists of 184 personnel and will replace Rotation 4 at the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, representing Party and State leaders, expressed confidence and high expectations for the Vietnamese peacekeeping forces undertaking their international missions. She affirmed that Vietnam is an active and responsible UN member, consistently pursuing a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development. Her participation in UN peacekeeping operations, she noted, is a concrete manifestation of this policy. Vietnam has been directly involved in UN peacekeeping operations for over 12 years, progressively expanding the scale, scope, and quality of its contributions. To date, more than 1,600 personnel from the Vietnam People's Army and People's Public Security force have participated in these operations. Vice President Xuan urged the personnel of both units to uphold their political mettle, strengthen solidarity, strictly observe discipline, proactively overcome difficulties, and comply with UN regulations and host country laws. She also called on them to leverage their professional expertise and skills to successfully complete their assigned tasks, thereby enhancing the image of Vietnamese "blue-helmet" peacekeepers among international friends.