Themed “Peace, Friendship, Cooperation for Mutual Development,” the four-day expo will cover a total area of about 123,800 square meters, an increase of approximately 23,800 square meters compared with the 2024 edition. The exhibition area will be divided into seven main sections, including an outdoor display area of about 24,700 square meters and an indoor area of about 23,500 square meters.
So far, 44 delegations from 30 countries have registered to visit Viet Nam and attend the expo.
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An overview of the press briefing |
The exhibition will showcase combat vehicles, technological solutions, weapons and equipment for naval, ground, air defense and air force operations, cyber warfare, as well as logistics and technical equipment produced by domestic and international defense enterprises.
A highlight of the expo will be the defense experience zone and military games area, where visitors will have opportunities to experience flying a MiG-21, operating an infantry fighting vehicle and a military vessel through virtual reality technology. They will also be able to explore new dual-use technologies and products, experience military medical activities and commando techniques, interact with service dogs, and try simulated shooting, among other activities.
New attractions at the expo will include water puppetry, commander chess and light sculpture, which are expected to offer visitors a diverse range of cultural and interactive experiences.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for the morning of December 10 and will be broadcast live on VTV1 of Viet Nam Television and VOV1 of the Voice of Viet Nam, as well as through other mass media. The ceremony will feature a welcoming art program, a flight performance by the Air Defense - Air Force Service, and a martial arts performance by the commando force.
A scientific seminar themed “International Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation for Peace and Sustainable Development” will be held on the morning of December 11, with about 145 invited guests. The expo will also feature a seminar on Viet Nam's defense industry cooperation with other countries, along with specialized seminars scheduled for the afternoon of December 10 and during the exhibition.
The expo will take place on the occasion of the 82nd founding anniversary of the Viet Nam People’s Army (December 22, 1944 - 2026) and the 37th anniversary of the Whole-People Defense Festive Day (December 22, 1989 - 2026). As a large-scale, multi-sector defense diplomacy event, the expo is expected to contribute to affirming Viet Nam’s defense policy of peace and self-defense, while spreading the message that Viet Nam is a peace-loving country, a friend, a reliable partner and an active and responsible member of the international community.
The 2026 expo marks the third Viet Nam Defense Expo organized by the Ministry of National Defense. The event aims to strengthen and expand international cooperation and defense diplomacy while building trust between Viet Nam and countries around the world. It also provides an opportunity for Viet Nam to share its defense policies and orientations, including those concerning military building and the development of the defense industry.
At the same time, the expo will create opportunities for domestic and international partners and enterprises to introduce and display their products and seek opportunities to expand cooperation.
The event will further facilitate cooperation in the defense industry, diversify channels for the procurement, acquisition and transfer of technology for the production of technical and logistical equipment for the armed forces, and provide opportunities to study global trends in weapons and technical equipment. These activities will help support the selection of suitable options for procuring, producing and upgrading weapons and equipment for the military.
The expo will also promote the capabilities and technological potential of Viet Nam’s defense industry, introduce Vietnamese-made weapons and equipment to international friends and domestic visitors, and seek opportunities to export defense industry products.
The expo will be open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on December 12 and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on December 13.
Translated by Song Anh