Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia hold joint civil defense exercise
VGP - Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia conducted a joint civil defense exercise in Ha Noi on October 14 to strengthen coordination in disaster response and enhance cooperation in addressing non-traditional security challenges.
Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Viet Nam Phan Van Giang (center), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Laos, General Khamliang Outhakaysone (L) and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha (R) at the joint civil defense exercise, Ha Noi, October 14, 2026 - Photo: Vnexpress
The exercise took place at Brigade 249 of the Engineer Corps in Ha Noi as part of an agreement reached by the three countries' defense ministers at their 2019 meeting and the 2026 defense cooperation plans between Viet Nam and Laos and between Viet Nam and Cambodia.
Present at the event were Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Viet Nam Phan Van Giang, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Khamliang Outhakaysone; and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Tea Seiha.
The exercise aimed to enhance command capabilities and coordination among the three militaries in disaster relief and emergency response. It also sought to deepen international cooperation in civil defense, strengthen traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation among the three armed forces, and contribute to maintaining regional stability and promoting peace, cooperation and development.
Participating forces came from the Viet Nam People's Army, the Lao People's Army and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
Photo: Vnexpress
Addressing the opening ceremony, General Phan Van Giang underscored the growing challenges posed by climate change, natural disasters, epidemics, environmental incidents and other non-traditional security threats. He stressed that enhancing civil defence capabilities was not only an urgent requirement but also an important contribution to the shared security of the three countries and the wider region.
He noted that the exercise carried forward the longstanding tradition of friendship among Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia and demonstrated the three militaries' strong determination to work together in tackling non-traditional security challenges, protecting people's lives and property, and ensuring the safety and well-being of their populations.
Phan described the drill as an important opportunity for the participating forces to share experience, improve interoperability and strengthen their capacity to respond to emergencies, incidents and cross-border disasters.
He urged all participating units to demonstrate a high sense of responsibility and strict discipline, uphold solidarity and make the most of the exercise to exchange experiences and deepen their understanding of the cultures and peoples of the three countries. These efforts, he said, would further reinforce friendship and cooperation among their armed forces and peoples.
The exercise comprised two main phases:
- The first focuses on preparations for responding to a super typhoon, including the establishment of a joint command post and the assignment of tasks and coordination arrangements among participating forces.
- The second involves practical response scenarios, covering emergency rescue operations for residents in flooded areas and the deployment of a field hospital; search and rescue at collapsed structures; and responses to incidents involving hazardous chemical leaks and releases.