Viet Nam, Russia boost defense cooperation

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov hosted an official welcome ceremony for General Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese delegation on May 21, ahead of the second consultation session on maritime issues.

During their talks in Moscow, General Phan Van Giang reaffirmed that Viet Nam always values and bears in mind the sincere support and assistance provided by generations of Russian leaders and people during Viet Nam's struggle for national independence as well as its ongoing nation-building and defense efforts.

He highlighted the inauguration of the Viet Nam–Soviet Union solidarity and friendship monument at the Viet Nam Military History Museum in August 2025, noting that the project, carried out with close coordination from Russia's Defense Ministry, honors Soviet military experts who supported Viet Nam, with Russian experts playing a central role.

General Phan Van Giang welcomed the continued development of the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, stressing that agreements reached by senior leaders have created fresh momentum for expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, with defense remaining a key pillar of bilateral ties.

For his part, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Removich Belousov congratulated General Phan Van Giang on his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, expressing confidence that he would continue making significant contributions to bilateral defence cooperation and the broader Viet Nam–Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Belousov also affirmed Russia's readiness to enhance cooperation with Viet Nam's Ministry of National Defence in new areas aligned with the capabilities and priorities of both sides.

The two ministers noted that defense cooperation has continued to grow steadily, producing positive results in delegation exchanges, high-level contacts, cooperation between military agencies and units, personnel training, scientific and technological research through the Viet Nam–Russia Tropical Center, participation in international multilateral activities, and coordination within ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM+).

To further deepen cooperation in a practical and effective manner, both sides agreed to continue implementing existing cooperation frameworks and expand collaboration into new areas including the effective implementation of signed agreements, the exchange and signing of new cooperation documents, experience sharing, humanitarian mine clearance, military history education and communications, training cooperation, and stronger collaboration between the Viet Nam–Russia Tropical Center and agencies under Russia's Defence Ministry.

General Phan Van Giang thanked Russia for providing training opportunities for Vietnamese military personnel and affirmed Viet Nam's readiness to offer Vietnamese-language courses and international defense training programs for Russian military personnel at Vietnamese academies and institutions.

During the talks, he also invited leaders of Russia's Defense Ministry and defense industry enterprises to attend and exhibit products at the third Viet Nam International Defense Expo scheduled on this December.

Following the talks, the two sides signed several important documents, laying a solid foundation for future defense cooperation.

As part of the visit, General Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese delegation laid flowers at the Ho Chi Minh Monument and planted a commemorative tree at the square named after President Ho Chi Minh. The delegation also visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow./.