Vietnamese peacekeepers attend ceremony marking Int’l Day of UN Peacekeepers

PANO - The personnel of the Level-2 Field Hospital (L2FH) Rotation 3 participated in a ceremony to mark the International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers (May 29) held by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Bentiu on May 29.

Vietnam presents medical supplies to South Sudan

Bringing national specialties to South Sudan

L2FH Rotation 3’s personnel arrive in South Sudan

Representatives of Vietnam’s L2FH Rotation 3 at the event

Some 2,000 peacekeepers at the UNMISS and representatives for local authorities joined the event.

The ceremony started off with a parade of peacekeepers who were representing their countries and participating in the UNMISS.

Peacekeepers in the parade

At the flag-raising ceremony, the national flag of Vietnam flew next to the flags of the UN and other countries which have sent their troops to the UNMISS. The Vietnamese blue-berets were touched singing the national anthem while the national flag was being raised. They felt honored to carry out the noble international missions and make contributions to popularizing the peace-loving country of Vietnam which wants to join hands with other countries from all over the world to maintain peace around the globe.

Vietnam’s flag flying next to the flags of the UN and other countries in Bentiu, South Sudan

This is the third time Vietnam’s flag has flown in the sky of Bentiu at this important annual event hosted by the UNMISS. The event aims to pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve in UN peacekeeping operations with high levels of professionalism, dedication, and courage to undertake risky and difficult missions. It also commemorates more than 3,000 peacekeepers who lost their lives in the cause of peace since 1948.

At the event, the participants observed a minute’s silence in commemoration of UN troops who sacrificed their flesh and blood for international peacekeeping missions.

An impressive performance at the ceremony

In Bentiu, foreign peacekeepers consider each other family and support one another to overcome difficulties to fulfill their missions.

After the solemn ceremony, participating peacekeepers were involved in cultural and artistic exchanges to boost mutual understanding and friendship among countries while enjoying delicious dishes.

Vietnam’s L2FH Rotation 3’s personnel performing a flashmob dance with the song “Ghen Co Vy”

In the artistic exchange, Vietnam’s L2FH Rotation 3 left a strong impression on the participants with their lively flashmob dance with music from the song “Ghen Co Vy” (Jealous Coronavirus in English). The dance performance aimed to remind everyone of washing their hands properly and maintaining proper hygiene to prevent COVID-19.

Vietnamese peacekeepers’ food pavilion is crowded with diners

Meanwhile, such tasty and eye-catching Vietnamese dishes prepared by Vietnamese “ambassadors of peace” like spring rolls, clear shrimp and pork dumplings, and sweetened porridge also drew a number of diners and received much praise.

The ceremony gave UN blue-berets from different countries around the world more strength to surmount difficulties to carry out glorious UN peacekeeping missions.