Representatives of Vietnamese peacekeepers and young people in HCM City at the exchange (Photo: VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnam Youth Federation held an
exchange programme on April 15 between 24 Vietnamese peacekeepers who have
returned from the UN mission in South Sudan and over 500 local young people.
The
event also aimed to mark the second time Vietnam has taken over the Presidency
of the UN Security Council during its non-permanent membership for the
2020-2021 term, as well as the 46th anniversary of South Liberation
and National Reunification (April 30).
Apart
from a photo exhibition reflecting the Vietnamese peacekeeping force’s
activities at the UN mission in South Sudan, the peacekeepers talked about
their foreign language and medical knowledge training process, the settlement
of bombs and mines, survival skills, and response to unexpected incidents.
They
also shared hardships and dangers facing them in conflict zones, as well as
efforts in COVID-19 response, while performing duties at the mission in South
Sudan.
Stories
about their daily life and homesickness also attracted the interest and
admiration from participants.
The signing of a cooperation agreement between HCM City’s Vietnam Youth Federation and the level-2 field hospital No 3 at the exchange (Photo: VNA)
Col.
Mac Duc Trong, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping
Operations and head of the peacekeeping experts’ group, said the image of
peacekeepers from the Vietnam People’s Army could be seen clearly in African
countries, especially in South Sudan and the Central African Republic over the
last five years.
With
the resolve to weather every difficulty and hardship, especially amid complex
developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Sudan, the Vietnamese
peacekeeping force pledged to excellently fulfill duties and be ready to devote
to peace building, he noted.
During
the programme, HCM City’s Vietnam Youth Federation and the level-2 field
hospital No 3 under the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations signed a
cooperation agreement.
Accordingly,
they will organise regular exchanges and dialogues, carry out an international
voluntary project for the youth in HCM City, and provide online training in
international youth affairs for federation members./.