More than 140 delegations from 50 countries would attend the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024 (VIDE), an opportunity for the country to strengthen its defense industry with partners around the world. 

Tanks displayed at Vietnam International Defense Expo 2022 in Gia Lam District, Hanoi in December 2022. Photos: Hanoi Times

Entitled “Peace, Friendship, Cooperation for Development”, the expo, which will take place on December 19-22 in Gia Lam District, Hanoi, will be attended by defense ministers, deputy ministers, and commanders of dozens from countries. It will showcase advanced defense weapons and equipment.

The second expo is expected to attract more visitors than the first edition in 2022. The first export gathered 170 exhibitors from 30 countries including Russia, European countries, and the US. It has become a destination for locals who are eager to see the state-of-the-art weapons and equipment on display.

According to Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the expo would help “open up opportunities for cooperation in the defense industry and technology transfer” and “broaden the sources from which defense equipment is procured in order to protect the country and its citizens from growing traditional and non-traditional threats.”

The second expo will display exceptional defense and security products, technologies, and solutions for the armed forces of Vietnam and other countries. The event aims to share experiences in the research, manufacture, and use of weapons, and strengthen the cooperation in the defense industry among participants.

Apart from unveiling novel armaments that Vietnam has researched and manufactured, the exhibition is anticipated to serve as a platform for advancing defense collaboration, including technology transfer, and to broaden investment in the defense sector with other countries and international partners.

It will feature a wide range of air defense systems and equipment which consists of fighter aircraft, helicopters, drones, artillery systems, and anti-aircraft missiles; naval systems and equipment including submarines, warships, unmanned vessels, auxiliary ships, reconnaissance equipment, and underground observation; ground force’s systems and equipment: infantry weapons, firearms, self-propelled artillery, ground artillery, tanks, and armored vehicles; and security systems and equipment: biometrics, anti-terrorism and internal State security systems, cyber security crime prevention systems, among others.

The first Vietnam International Defense Expo attracts a large number of visitors.

Vietnam’s defense diplomacy

Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Defense Minister, told local media that the expo is part of Vietnam’s efforts to implement defense diplomacy which concretizes the country’s multilateralism policies for further world integration. 

Vietnam has entered into defense cooperation with more than 100 countries and organizations, including the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US), the G20 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, and the US), and the G7 group (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US).

The cooperation extends beyond the exchange of delegations, training, and sharing experience, along with the trade of military equipment and the transfer of technology.

Saigon Newport Corporation, for example, has hosted hundreds of visit exchanges. Up to 95% of its revenue comes from foreign partners. Meanwhile, the Military Industry and Telecoms Group or Viettel has reached 10 countries and territories.

The Ministry of National Defense has Defense Attachés in 41 countries and international organizations.

“In addition to our economic presence, we also maintain our position outside the Fatherland by defending it from afar and in the early stages,” Hoang Xuan Chien stated.

"We are working together to exchange experiences and transfer technology to develop a cutting-edge and dual-use Vietnamese defense industry that will enhance national security,” he stressed.

Vietnam builds its national defense power based on the great solidarity of the people and the general strength of the country that helps consolidate national unity. The country’s defense policy places a strong emphasis on self-defense as well as the necessity of resolving conflicts and divergences in a firm and consistent manner through peaceful means.

Vietnam promotes establishing defense ties with all countries, particularly its neighbors and strategic partners while advocating for fostering confidence and obtaining support and aid from other countries.