Spreading Vietnam's message of peace-loving

As one of the first two officers from the Army Academy selected to participate in a United Nations peacekeeping mission, Captain Le Trinh Thanh Tuan shared: “I also...

As one of the first two officers from the Army Academy selected to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping mission, Captain Le Trinh Thanh Tuan shared: "I, like many Vietnamese military officers who have participated, have the desire to spread Vietnam's message of love for peace to international friends."

Captain Le Trinh Thanh Tuan (from Dak Lak ; working at the Faculty of Information Technology - Foreign Languages, Army Academy). In September 2024, after a period of effort to improve knowledge, train physically and pass many rigorous selection rounds, Tuan left for a United Nations peacekeeping mission, taking on the position of staff-operations officer of the 3rd Engineering Team, UNISFA mission in the Abyei region, Africa.

Proud to join the peacekeeping force

Immersing himself in the harsh weather of the "black continent", through the footage and photos Captain Tuan shared with us, the image of Vietnamese officers enthusiastically and actively performing their duties became the pride of their teammates, units and homeland.

Captain Le Trinh Thanh Tuan coordinated radio with friendly units before conducting a reconnaissance mission on the main supply route at the beginning of the dry season in Abyei.

During breaks, Captain Tuan chatted with us many times via social networks, sharing impressive and proud stories. He confided: “I, like many Vietnamese officers and professional soldiers who have participated in the peacekeeping force, all have the aspiration to contribute to the Fatherland and contribute to preserving the peace of humanity.”

He continued: “I see this as a valuable opportunity to experience a multilateral working environment, improve my mettle, life skills, and professional capacity. Even more special is the desire to spread Vietnam’s message of love for peace, which is a great motivation for me to participate in this mission.”

Captain Le Trinh Thanh Tuan is serving as the staff-operations officer of the 3rd Engineer Team, UNISFA mission in the Abyei region.

I still remember the moment Captain Tuan said goodbye to his unit, left the lecture hall to go on a mission in a faraway land in Africa, he said: “I am very proud to represent the image of the Vietnam Military Academy in the international arena. Being chosen as one of the “pioneers”, I feel even more responsible for inspiring and creating the premise for the next generation of officers of the Academy to continue to play an active role in the United Nations peacekeeping mission”.

Captain Le Trinh Thanh Tuan introduces to his Bangladeshi comrades a photo of President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Pham Van Dong visiting the engineering officers and soldiers building a pontoon bridge across the Red River in February 1966.

To pass many rigorous selection rounds and gain the trust of superiors and be assigned to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping mission, Captain Tuan and his teammates had to undergo rigorous, multi-faceted training, such as in-depth training in international law, communication skills, multinational cultural awareness; emergency handling, survival; engineering and security expertise and practice of disease prevention and control plans, physical strength enhancement and foreign language training.

Captain Tuan and his teammates worked with Department U7 - Training Department of the Mission Command within the framework of the annual capacity assessment of the mission agency.

As an English lecturer, Captain Tuan has a very favorable foundation when working in a multinational environment. He said: “With my English skills, I can easily communicate, integrate and cooperate well with international teammates. This also helps me a lot in proactively processing documents, conveying ideas and effectively coordinating in diverse activities of the peacekeeping mission.”

Spreading the image of the Vietnamese army in the international arena

Wearing the peaceful blue uniform with the Vietnamese national flag is an honor and pride for the "Uncle Ho's soldiers" when participating in the peacekeeping force. Captain Le Trinh Thanh Tuan and the soldiers and officers of the Vietnam People's Army are always aware of that and desire to spread the beautiful image of the Vietnamese people and the Vietnam Army to the international community.

Captain Tuan said that the daily work of officers in the 3rd Engineer Team, UNISFA mission in the Abyei region includes construction and maintenance of infrastructure, bridges, roads, community works, etc.

Through these tasks, they contribute to ensuring security for the barracks of units stationed at the mission and support the task of protecting civilians and United Nations staff.

On a mission in the rainy season.

The officers here also participate in support activities to help local people, especially during the rainy season when road conditions are very difficult and there is flooding in many places.

The Abyei region has a harsh climate, the dry season lasts from six to seven months, the temperature sometimes exceeds 40° ^C , the nights are cold and windy. Peacekeeping officers like Captain Tuan live in container houses; they have to proactively prepare personal belongings, cook, do laundry, etc.

Transporting food, provisions and equipment is difficult due to muddy roads during the rainy season; the political and security situation is unstable and there is a lack of infrastructure, making all activities self-sufficient and challenging.

Despite the hardships and harshness, as Captain Tuan said, he was very proud to wear the Vietnamese military uniform in an international environment, and to be respected by his teammates and local people.

Support pulling carts for local people during the rainy season.

“What do you remember about your work?” I asked. “Those were the difficult times, overcoming the challenges of weather, malaria and cholera epidemics with your teammates; and the constant danger from opposing tribal groups… to complete the road repair mission. It was the joy of helping local children approach and learn more about Vietnamese culture and people,” Captain Tuan answered.

"Wearing a military uniform with the Vietnamese flag attached to it and operating in an international environment, you must be very proud?" - I suggested. "Of course. This also means national pride, responsibility, intelligence and compassion of the Vietnamese people towards the international community. The blue shirt of peace is the "symbol" of the United Nations, and the presence of the Vietnamese flag on it affirms Vietnam's proactive and active presence at "hot spots" in the world."

Captain Tuan feels very proud to wear the military uniform with the Vietnamese flag attached and operate in an international environment.

The stories and sharing of Captain Le Trinh Thanh Tuan, one of the first two young officers of the Army Academy to join the United Nations peacekeeping force, are living proof of the bravery, intelligence and compassionate heart of the Vietnamese people.

From the military lecture hall to the distant "dark continent", Captain Tuan has been contributing to embellishing the heroic history of the Vietnam People's Army, spreading the image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" in the integration period, affirming Vietnam's position and responsibility to international friends.

Captain Le Trinh Thanh Tuan and his teammates of Engineering Team No. 3 and exchanged with the commander of the Infantry Battalion, South Sudan Army.

When this article was completed, on the morning of September 26 (local time), at the main road leading to the helicopter airport of the United Nations Interim Security Mission in Abyei, Africa, a special ceremony took place to send off the Vietnamese Engineering Team No. 3 to return to the Fatherland after more than a year of successfully completing the peacekeeping mission. Captain Le Trinh Thanh Tuan stayed for a short time to carry out the handover to the new working team. Surely, when he returns to his unit, we will hear more about his work and impressive stories during his time participating in the United Nations peacekeeping mission on the "black continent".

Lieutenant Colonel DO NHUNG

Lecturer at the Army Academy

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/lan-toa-thong-diep-yeu-chuong-hoa-binh-cua-viet-nam-393390.html