President Vo Van Thuong, military officials, and members of Level 2-Field Hospital Rotation 5 and Engineering Unit Rotation 2 at the deployment ceremony on June 29 (Photo: VNA)

President Vo Van Thuong, Commander of the people’s armed forces and Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council attended the event.

Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 5, which will replace Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 4 in South Sudan, consists of 63 members, including 11 females. Meanwhile, Engineering Unit Rotation 2, replacing Engineering Unit Rotation 1 in Abyei, has 184 members, including 19 females.

In his speech, President Thuong affirmed that the Party and State always put trust in the Vietnamese peacekeeping force, are proud of the force’s achievements, and also believe that the deployed units will build up attainments of their predecessors and bring into play their mettle, wisdom, and capabilities during the performance of the noble duties assigned by the Party, State, army, and people to meet requirements of the UN.

"The belongings of the soldiers are national pride, the spirit of solidarity, proactiveness, creativity, professionalism and fine dignity of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” in the new era. With the support of the UN, other countries, and international partners, the soldiers will contribute effectively, practically to peace and security in the region and the world, raise Vietnam’s status and its responsibility, and reflect on aspiration of people all over the world for peace, stability, safety and prosperity." said President Vo Van Thuong.

Nguyen Phuoc Tuong, administrative and financial assistant to the Level-2 Field Hospital No 5, took the duty of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan for the first time.

He said: "When implementing my duty in a country 10,000 km away from my homeland, we have to double or even triple our efforts. We need to uphold the spirit of Vietnamese enthusiasm of the youth and aspiration to experience and dedicate."

So far, Vietnam has sent 533 officers and professional soldiers to UN peacekeeping operations, and they have properly fulfilled their tasks.