Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang held a phone talk with his New Zealand counterpart Peeni Henare on March 9 during which they sought to strengthen defence ties between the two countries in multiple areas.
Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang and his Singaporean counterpart Ng Eng Hen agreed to effectively implement the freshly signed agreement on defence cooperation during their meeting in the city state on February 25.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc held talks with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz Canel in Havana on September 19.
The Ministry of National Defence presented its medical equipment aid for the Lao Ministry of Defence at a symbolic handover ceremony in Hanoi on June 17, which was attended by Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang.
2020 was an eventful year for Vietnam’s defence external affairs sector as the country successfully organised the 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and the 7th ADMM Plus. In the context of Vietnam being ASEAN Chair in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, its successes are historic.
Images of Vietnam’s flag flying at the Army Games 2020, UN peacekeeping operations, and ASEAN meetings over the years prove the significant role of defence diplomacy in improving the prestige and position of the army and the country in the international arena.
Defence diplomacy is not only an external task of the Ministry of National Defence or the army but also associated with national independence, sovereignty, and interests of Vietnam, as well as security and peace in the region and the world.
Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong has lauded the achievements of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of Defence, and officials and soldiers during 2020, which contributed to the completion of targets and tasks set in the resolution of the 12th National Party Congress.