Hanoi (VNA)🎀 – Vietnam’s Engineering Unit Rotation 4 is ready to depart for the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) Mission, following a series of activities held in Hanoi on September 16.

Ahead of deployment, the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of National Defence organised a tribute ceremony at the Monument to Heroic Martyrs on Bac Son street and paid homage at the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh. Major General Pham Manh Thang, director of the department, said preparations for Engineer Unit Rotation 4 reflected the agency’s proactive role as the standing body advising the Party, State, Government, Central Military Commission and Ministry of National Defence on Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations. He said the department has worked closely with relevant agencies to select, train and deploy personnel, while overseeing all Vietnamese forces engaged in UN peacekeeping to ensure effective performance. Members of the Engineering Unit Rotation 4, chosen from across the army for their strong political commitment, have undergone specialised and language training to meet UN requirements ahead of their deployment to UNISFA. According to Thang, all preparations for the unit, comprising 169 officers and soldiers, have been completed, and the personnel are ready to embark on their mission on September 26. He pledged that the Vietnamese peacekeeping force, and the Engineering Unit Rotation 4 in particular, will remain steadfast, united and determined to overcome challenges, fulfil all assigned tasks, and continue to embody the qualities of Uncle Ho’s soldiers while promoting the image of the Vietnam People’s Army internationally. Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping is part of the Party and State’s broader foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, while contributing to defence diplomacy and enhancing the country’s international standing. Over more than 11 years, Vietnam’s peacekeeping force has expanded significantly, an expanding presence across multiple fields and an increasing number of personnel holding key positions at UN headquarters and missions. To date, the Ministry of National Defence has deployed about 1,100 officers and professional soldiers, including six Level-2 field hospitals, three engineer units and over 140 officers serving individually. Vietnamese engineer units deployed to UNISFA have quickly adapted to local conditions, effectively performed their assigned duties, and won praise from mission leaders, colleagues and international partners. They have also carried out community support projects, including road and bridge construction and infrastructure repairs, which have been warmly welcomed by local authorities and residents./.