Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese “Blue Beret” peacekeepers, serving in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), have turned up the fun in the war-weary capital of Bangui. The team threw a Mid-Autumn Festival that brought smiles and star lanterns to local kids.
The Vietnamese crew at MINUSCA rolled out the “Vietnamese Moonlight Festival” at the Foyer de Charité, aiming to light up the lives of underprivileged kids while showing off Vietnam’s heart and soul to the Central African Republic.
In his opening speech, Lieut. Col. Duy Van Son, head of the Vietnamese defence crew at MINUSCA, painted the Mid-Autumn Festival as a cherished Vietnamese tradition, a time of family reunion, suffused with joy and love. He described children parading with glowing lanterns, swaying to the rhythm of lion dances, and casting their eyes upward to a luminous full moon.
“We want to share not just the joy of the Mid-Autumn Festival with Central African children but also the compassion and cultural values of Vietnam, where children are always cared for and cherished,” Son said.
The event was a vibrant showcase of Vietnamese culture through hands-on activities. Children gathered to learn the art of making “nem”, the crisp spring rolls that are a staple of Vietnamese cuisine, rolling and frying them to golden perfection before sharing their creations amid laughter and excitement.
The lantern-making area proved a highlight, where children dived into piles of colourful paper, crayons, scissors, and glue to whip up five-pointed star lanterns with help from Vietnamese officers.
The Foyer de Charité courtyard turned into a playground, alive with the sounds of traditional Vietnamese games like “dragon snake,” tug-of-war, and musical chairs.
“I’m so happy to play with the Vietnamese peacekeepers,” said 10-year-old Gimba. “This is my first time celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. I love the lanterns because they shine beautifully like the moon”.
Beyond the revelry, the peacekeepers also handed out goodies like notebooks, school supplies, toys, candies, and handmade lanterns. These small gifts, imbued with the heartfelt goodwill of the Vietnamese, carried the weight of friendship across continents, a gesture from emissaries far from home.
Maj. To Ngoc Anh, a female officer in the crew, said: “A lot of these kids have never had a day just for them. Seeing their smiles reminds us how meaningful it is to share joy and love. This makes our own Mid-Autumn celebration more special than ever”.
Local authorities and other MINUSCAunits jumped in to back the event, which not only brought happiness but also built a cultural bridge between the two nations, according to a representative from the Foyer de Charité.
More than just a party, the Moonlight Festival put Vietnam’s warmth, compassion, and peace-loving vibe on full display. It also proved these “blue berets” are pros at pushing the UN’s mission to bring peace, stability, and a little bit of awesome to conflict zones./.
