Steadfast in any situation
In 2022, Col. Nguyet officially joined the U.N. peacekeeping forces, carrying out her mission in South Sudan. One year later, in 2023, she continued to volunteer to join the noble journey in the Central African Republic.
Joining peacekeeping missions means facing many challenges. Both South Sudan and the Central African Republic are regions with unstable political situations, where armed conflicts occur frequently, leading to potential safety risks for international forces. Col. Nguyen recalled that in times of intense tension, they always had to keep a weather eye open, strictly observe the mission's safety regulations to protect themselves and their comrades.
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Lt. Col. Bui Thi Minh Nguyet at the MINUSCA mission, Central African Republic (Photo provided by the individual) |
Not only did they face the dangers of conflict, but the living conditions also posed a significant challenge. The harsh environment, with the hot climate, lack of clean water, and inadequate food, severely affected the health of the officers.
Despite the hardships, with high determination and the spirit of "Uncle Ho’s soldiers," she and her comrades never gave up. They stayed united and supported each other to successfully complete assigned tasks.
In any circumstances, the spirit of the Vietnamese soldiers always shines brightly. During the rising tension, especially during local election preparations and the increased risk of armed conflict, she and her teammates remained resolute, closely following the directives of the Peacekeeping Mission and the Ministry of Defense to ensure their safety and successfully complete their mission.
Memorable footprint and pride
Nguyet shared that a Pakistani patient was severely injured, with his arm almost severed. At the Level-1 Field Hospital, medical officers determined that it was nearly impossible to save the arm. However, with dedication and great skills, military doctors from Vietnam’s Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 5 successfully performed a surgery to reconnect the blood vessels and saved the patient's arm. This story spread throughout the mission, impressing international friends with the professionalism and humanitarian spirit of the Vietnamese peacekeeping force.
Another memorable footprint that Col. Nguyet takes pride in is the project of building and launching the first boat of Vietnam’s Engineering Company Rotation 1 in Abyei.
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Lt. Col. Bui Thi Minh Nguyen (second from the left) and the working group at the MINUSCA mission, Central African Republic |
Joining the peacekeeping forces, Vietnamese officers not only perform U.N. missions but also serve as cultural ambassadors, contributing to the spread of national identity through cultural exchange activities and traditional dishes.
Apart from popularizing culture, Vietnamese officers actively participated in charitable activities to help the local community. They taught children, guiding local people on how to grow safe vegetables, and helped them repair infrastructure. These activities have helped improve local people’s living standards and fostered greater affection for the Vietnamese peacekeeping forces.
Moreover, the traditional qualities of Uncle Ho’s soldiers, such as discipline, compassion, and international solidarity, have helped the Vietnamese peacekeeping force quickly earn respect and trust from international friends.
With steady steps, the image of the Vietnamese peacekeeping force will continue to be a source of pride and a symbol of a nation that loves peace, ready to contribute to the stability and development of the world. Stories like that of Lieutenant Colonel Bui Thi Minh Nguyet will always inspire the younger generation - those who are nurturing the dream of becoming “blue beret” soldiers, helping to build a more peaceful and better world.
Translated by Quynh Oanh