10th Viet Nam – China Border Defense Friendship Exchange begins
VGP - The 10th Viet Nam – China Border Defense Friendship Exchange was kick-started on March 18 in Viet Nam’s Quang Ninh province and China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, aiming to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries.
General Phan Van Giang - Minister of National Defense of Viet Nam and Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun - Minister of National Defense of China, Mong Cai International Border Gate , Quang Ninh province, March 18, 2026
The Vietnamese delegation is led by General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defense, while the Chinese side is headed by Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun, Chinese Minister of National Defense.
The two sides are participating in activities in Viet Nam on March 18 and in China on March 19.
General Phan Van Giang - Minister of National Defense of Viet Nam presents flowers to welcome Senior Lieutenant General Dong Quan - Minister of National Defense of China and the Chinese delegation to Vietnam to attend the exchange. Photo: News.laodong
General Phan Van Giang - Minister of National Defense of Vietnam and Senior Lieutenant General Dong Quan - Minister of National Defense of China and delegates - Photo: News.laodong
General Phan Van Giang welcomes Senior Lieutenant General Dong Quan and the Chinese delegation to attend the exchange. Photo: Tran Vuong
The welcoming ceremony took place in a friendly atmosphere, with a large number of people and students waving flags and flowers - Photo: News.laodong
Local residents wave flags and flowers, welcoming exchange activities - Photo: News.laodong
The welcoming ceremony took place in a warm atmosphere of friendship, with a large number of people and students waving flags and flowers, chanting slogans "Viet Nam - China friendship, Viet Nam - China solidarity" to welcome the Chinese delegation along both sides of Bac Luan 1 bridge.
The two Ministers together plant a friendship tree in the premises of Mong Cai International Border Gate - Photo: News.laodong
The two Ministers pose for a souvenir photo at Mong Cai International Border Gate - Photo: News.laodong
In China, the main activities scheduled for March 19 include a welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation at the Dongxing International Border Gate; a visit by the two defense ministers to a border guard company, where they will also plant friendship trees; and the launch of a joint patrol and training exercise in the Gulf of Tonkin.
The two sides will also visit a commemorative stele, an exhibition wall highlighting the starting point of the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail, as well as local enterprises. In addition, the delegations will lay wreaths at a monument to fallen soldiers of the Viet Nam – China people's revolutionary forces, before a farewell ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation at the Dongxing International Border Gate.
One of the highlights of this year's exchange is the joint patrol and training exercise in the Gulf of Tonkin involving the two countries' navies. The Viet Nam People's Navy has deployed a task group comprising frigates 015 Tran Hung Dao and 012 Ly Thai To from Brigade 162 under Naval Region 4 to take part in the joint activities with the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.
The Viet Nam – China Border Defense Friendship Exchange is an annual important defense diplomacy activity held in border provinces of the two countries. Over time, it has continued to expand in both scope and depth, featuring a wide range of practical and meaningful activities. The program holds significant political importance, with strong support from leaders at all levels and the public of both countries, as well as attention from the international community./.
