Lieutenant-General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of Staff, was present at the conference along with representatives from various agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense and related forces, such as: the General Directorate of Defense Industry, the Air Defense – Air Force Command, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Military Sciences, the Ministry of Finance, the Operations Ministry, the Ministry of Military Training – Schools, the Ministry of Military Security Protection, the Ministry of Propaganda and Training, and the Military Industry and Telecommunications Group (Viettel).
Asserting the position and message of defense foreign policy.
The proposal regarding the 3rd Vietnam International Defense Exhibition, presented by Major General Phan Thi Hoai Van, Deputy Director of the General Department of Defense Industry, at the conference, reaffirms the consistency of the Party’s and State’s foreign policy: independence, autonomy, and international integration; multilateralism and diversification of relationships; friendship and reliable partnership with all countries; and responsible role within the international community, based on respect for independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and political systems of each.
The exhibition not only serves to affirm the maturity and strength of the Vietnamese People’s Army but also to promote defense cooperation and enhance the prestige of the Vietnamese defense industry among its international partners. In a volatile, unstable, and increasingly competitive geopolitical context, Vietnam continues to disseminate its constant message of “Peace, Friendship, Cooperation for Development” to the international community.
According to a report from the General Department of Defense Industry, the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition was held successfully twice, in 2022 and 2024, with a scope and quality constantly increasing. These two editions were organized as comprehensive exhibitions, showcasing products and models indoors, as well as demonstrations of finished products outdoors. No demonstrations of weapons or technical equipment, such as live firing or aerial displays, were organized.
The weapons and technical equipment presented by defense industry companies fall under three main sectors: navy, air force, and army. Products currently in service within the armed forces are also exhibited to visitors. During the 2024 edition, three countries presented products: the United States with the C-130 aircraft, two A-10 aircraft, Stryker armored vehicles, and the M777 cannon; the Russian Federation with the Kornet-EM anti-tank missile system mounted on the Typhoon-K vehicle, BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicle, RB-504P-E anti-drone system, and the MMT-300 autonomous submarine; and Italy with the TP-150 training aircraft.
These two exhibitions have experienced significant growth in terms of scale and quality, meeting and exceeding set objectives, and attracting strong interest from both national and international audiences. They are considered an important milestone that confirms the position, prestige, and peaceful foreign defense policy of Vietnam.
Comprehensive preparation for the 2026 exhibition.
The 3rd Vietnam International Defense Exhibition promises to be an exceptional event, of great scale and diversity. It will offer numerous activities such as product exhibitions, seminars and debates, exercises, field demonstrations, and business meetings. This event holds major political and diplomatic importance and will take place on the occasion of the 82nd anniversary of the founding of the Vietnamese People’s Army (December 22, 1944 – December 22, 2026).
Based on the report from the General Department of Defense Industry and the opinions of various agencies and units, Lieutenant-General Nguyen Truong Thang recognized and commended the sense of responsibility of the General Department of Defense Industry and the relevant agencies in the preparatory work.
Building on the success of the previous two exhibitions, Lieutenant-General Nguyen Truong Thang requested the General Department of Defense Industry to collaborate closely with the relevant agencies and units to continue reviewing the entire project and ensure its relevance, comprehensiveness, and feasibility. Preparations must be elaborated according to a precise plan and schedule for each stage, with the project to be finalized before March 3, 2026, for submission to the Ministry of National Defense and the General Department of Political Affairs. All preparations must be completed in March so that exhibition-related activities can begin in April 2026.
According to Lieutenant-General Nguyen Truong Thang, the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition is not only a major event in defense diplomacy but also an important milestone that confirms the prestige, organizational capacity, and central role of the Vietnamese People’s Army in multilateral defense cooperation. The success of this exhibition will help promote the image of a peace-loving, cooperative, and transparent Vietnam in its defense policy, while demonstrating the level of development of its national defense industry.
In this regard, the leadership of the Ministry of National Defense has requested that the 2026 Vietnam International Defense Exhibition be organized according to higher standards, on a more professional scale, and with deeper cooperation, in line with the country’s increasingly important position on the international stage.
This is a matter of honor not only for the Vietnamese People’s Army but also for the honor and prestige of the nation. Therefore, preparations must be conducted thoroughly and meticulously in all aspects: content, protocol, international relations, media, logistics, and technical support. Ensuring absolute security of personnel, vehicles, equipment, and activities throughout the exhibition is an absolute and constant priority.
“The emphasis on organization, professionalism in management, and absolute security are considered direct measures of Vietnam’s organizational capacity, thus confirming its status as a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community in the field of defense and security.”
Source: https://congthuong.vn/thong-inform-about-the-vietnam-international-defense-exhibition-2026-444420.html
