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The image of Senior Captain Vu Nguyet Anh with a South Sudanese child screened at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan |
It was one of the nearly 800 entries of over 300 U.N. staff in over 80 countries worldwide and among the Top 80 outstanding works of the international photo contest entitled “U.N. Staff at Work,” launched by the UNSRC Photographic Society to mark the U.N.’s 80th foundation anniversary.
The screening of this photo on the special day of the U.N. was an important milestone, affirming Vietnam’s new progress since 2014 when it first deployed forces to participate in U.N. peacekeeping operations.
At Expo 2025 Osaka, when the photo appeared on the big screen accompanied by the sound of a chorus, the hall fell silent. That moment told the story of a Vietnamese female officer, simple yet resilient, emerging as a symbol of the growing prestige and position of Vietnam’s peacekeeping forces.
Displayed on the international stage, the image not only moved audiences but also deepened the message about the essential role of the U.N to uphold peace worldwide.
The photo, taken in July 2025, portrayed a humane moment of Sr. Capt. Vu Nguyet Anh during a community engagement activity in Juba. Vietnamese peacekeepers not only carried out security tasks but also stood side-by-side with South Sudanese women and children. They guided them in hand-washing, sharing small candies, holding hands in comfort. These simple gestures were rich in humanity, helping to connect communities, inspire trust, and sow hope for women and children in conflict areas.
The activity demonstrated solidarity, attachment, and responsibility of Vietnam’s U.N. peacekeeping forces, while sending a message of a humane, modern, and pro-active Vietnam contributing to global peace.
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Senior Captain Vu Nguyet Anh cares for South Sudanese children. |
Sharing her honor and pride having her image screened internationally, Capt. Anh said that it was not only the recognition for herself but also a responsibility for her to strive harder, contributing to promoting the image of Vietnam, its people, and its peacekeeping forces to international friends. She hoped that each small action, each simple moment can inspire trust and hope in the community where Vietnamese peacekeepers serve.
Vietnamese female peacekeeper’s ordinary moments in South Sudan serve as a red thread connecting hearts and faith, adding a bright tone to the 80-year journey of the U.N., affirming Vietnam’s rising strongly, confidently, and responsibly in the international community, where each simple act can spark hope, spread love, and help build a peaceful, just, and humane world.
Translated by Mai Huong