During the meeting, Sr. Lt. Gen. Pham Truong Son emphasized that Viet Nam and Malaysia are both active members of ASEAN and maintain a close and trusted relationship. He praised Malaysia’s active contribution to multilateral cooperation, particularly during its ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, which helped strengthen ASEAN solidarity and enhance the bloc’s standing. He believed that Malaysia would continue to work with Viet Nam and other ASEAN members to advance the goals of the ASEAN Community. 

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Sr. Lt. Gen. Pham Truong Son receives Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain.

The Vietnamese Deputy Chief of the General Staff also welcomed the positive results of Viet Nam-Malaysia defense cooperation in recent years, including exchanges of delegations, cooperation mechanisms, training, cooperation among arms and services, maritime security and safety, and mutual consultations and support at multilateral events hosted by each side.

Sr. Lt. Gen. Pham Truong Son expressed his hope that the two navies would continue to promote exchanges, visits and consultations to enhance mutual understanding; send ships on reciprocal visits; and study the possibility of organizing joint exercises to respond to non-traditional security challenges, as agreed by the two defense ministers during the official visit to Viet Nam by the Malaysian Defense Minister last August.

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Sr. Lt. Gen. Pham Truong Son presents a souvenir to Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain.

On this occasion, Sr. Lt. Gen. Pham Truong Son expressed his hope that the leaders of the Malaysian Ministry of Defense, Armed Forces and Royal Malaysian Navy would continue to support and attend the third Viet Nam Defense Expo, to be held in Hanoi this December.

For his part, Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain expressed his sincere thanks for Viet Nam’s support for Malaysia during its ASEAN Chairmanship and extended his congratulations to Viet Nam on the 81st anniversary of its National Day.

Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain expressed his impression of the development of Viet Nam’s defense industry, particularly after visiting the second Viet Nam Defense Expo in Hanoi in 2024. He emphasized that the visit was aimed at implementing the areas of cooperation agreed upon during the official visit to Viet Nam by the Malaysian Defense Minister last August.

Translated by Tran Hoai