Ministry reviews defence diplomacy in first half, sets tasks toward year end
In the first half, Vietnam's defence cooperation with other countries, particularly with neighbours and key partners, was strengthened. Meanwhile, multilateral defence diplomacy contributed to building trust, securing international support, and advancing collaboration in other areas.
Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien speaks at the conference. (Photo: qdnd.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of National Defence convened a conference on July 7 to review Vietnam's international integration and defence diplomacy efforts during the first half, and set directions and tasks for the remainder of the year.
The hybrid event took place in person in Hanoi and connected online to military units across the country.
Chairing the meeting, Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien stressed the need for continued innovation and improved efficiency of international integration and defence diplomacy in the last six months, with a focus on practical cooperation. He urged agencies and units to thoroughly prepare for external relations activities celebrating the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2).
The Deputy Minister also highlighted the importance of supporting the external engagements of Party, State, and military leaders, as well as the country’s participation in ASEAN’s high-level military and defence mechanisms. Other priorities include promoting administrative reform and digital transformation in the sector.
According to reports at the conference, in the first half, bilateral defence cooperation was strengthened, particularly with neighbouring countries and key partners. Meanwhile, multilateral defence diplomacy contributed to building trust, securing international support, and advancing collaboration in other areas.
Border defence diplomacy remained a highlight, with the successful organisation of the 9th Vietnam–China border defence friendship exchange and the 4th Vietnam–Laos exchange of young border guard officers.
Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations continued on schedule. The country completed preparations for its Engineering Unit Rotation 4 and Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 7, while launching pre-deployment training for both units.
🌃 The military also actively promoted cooperation in areas such as arms services exchanges, war legacy remediation, training, and sci-tech research./.
Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet and Australian Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michelle Chan co-chaired the 9th Vietnam-Australia diplomacy-defence dialogue in Hanoi on August 26.
Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Russian First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Vladimir Titov co-chaired the 13th Vietnam – Russia diplomacy - defence - security strategy dialogue in Hanoi on March 4.
Applying the strategy of defending the country into the future during the revolutionary struggle, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has always paid attention to expanding solidarity and international cooperation to maintain the nation's independence and unification.
This is a crucial session to consider and give opinions on a wide range of issues to be submitted to the NA's 10th sitting – the final of the current term, which will review the 2021–2026 tenure and prepare for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s first general election.
The signed documents include a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on scientific and technological cooperation, an MoU on copyright and related rights cooperation, and another on strengthening collaboration in renewable energy.
Vietnam’s participation in AMNEX 3 demonstrates its commitment as a member of the ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM) and responds to the invitation of the Royal Malaysian Navy, showing support for multilateral international activities hosted by Malaysia.
Since the two countries established their diplomatic ties in 1992, the bilateral relationship has become a model of a very special, effective, and substantive partnership.
Addressing the meeting, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his pleasure at meeting a large number of Vietnamese living and working in the RoK, acknowledging and appreciating their efforts in contributing to the growing Vietnam–RoK partnership.
He also welcomed the “Vietnam Private Sector Panorama” as a platform for dialogue, awareness-raising, and inspiring a wealth-creation movement, emphasising that it must deliver tangible results.
During a meeting on August 10 in Seoul with 100 representatives from the RoK’s intellectuals, associations, people’s organisations, businesses, and non-governmental organisations operating in Vietnam, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his gratitude to Korean friendship, economic, cultural associations, universities, research institutes, individuals, and NGOs for their significant contributions to nurturing the Vietnam–RoK relationship.
Party General Secretary To Lam met with Chairman of the Republic of Korea (RoK)–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul on August 10 as part of his state visit to the RoK.
The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee is scheduled to convene its 48th session on August 11-13, with August 14-15 set as a backup date, according to the NA Office.
Vietnam’s Ambassador to Brazil and Bolivia Bui Van Nghi has led an embassy delegation to attend official events marking the 200th anniversary of Bolivia’s Independence Day.
Party General Secretary To Lam met with members of the Vietnam Innovation Network in Korea (VINK) and Vietnamese experts living and working in the Republic of Korea (RoK) in Seoul on August 10 as part of his state visit to the RoK.
In an interview with Korean media on the occasion of Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to the RoK, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that the visit demonstrates Vietnam’s strong resolve to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the RoK, with the aim of fostering greater political trust, closer strategic coordination, more substantive and comprehensive cooperation, and stronger bonds of friendship between the two countries' people.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is also a Politburo member and Secretary of the Government Party Committee, attended the 4th Party Congress of the EVN Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 tenure on August 10, directing EVN to ensure power supply to meet the country’s development demands with double-digit growth set for the coming years.
Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, along with a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Seongnam Air Base in Seoul on August 10 afternoon (local time), beginning a state visit to the Republic of Korea from August 10-13.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
