The two sides held talks right after the welcome ceremony at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense.
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General Nguyen Tan Cuong (right) and Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi Bin Bol Hassan |
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The two generals review the Guards-of-Honor of the Vietnam People's Army. |
At the event, Gen. Cuong expressed his delight at the positive outcomes of the bilateral defense ties in recent years. He highlighted the exchanges of delegations at all levels, consultation mechanisms between the two navies and air forces, reciprocal ship visits, expertise sharing, personnel training, and mutual consultation and support at multilateral forums, especially ASEAN-led mechanisms and international events hosted by each side.
The Vietnamese defense leader suggested the two sides continue to work closely together to effectively maintain exchanges of delegations, sustain cooperation mechanisms such as consultations between their arms and services and the Joint Working Group on Military and Defense Cooperation, as well as enhance training cooperation.
Gen. Cuong proposed expansion of cooperation in potential areas, such as defense industry, logistics, military medicine, search and rescue, counter-terrorism, and cyber security. His suggestions also included continuity of close consultation and mutual support at multilateral mechanisms, forums, and international events organized by each side.
For his part, Gen. Hassan expressed strong agreement with the points raised by Gen. Cuong during the talks. He noted that the two sides could consider developing new areas of cooperation where both sides have strength and needs in order to foster bilateral defense ties in the time ahead.
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Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Defense Minister General Nguyen Tan Cuong at the talks |
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Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong and the Vietnamese delegation at the event |
During the talks, the two sides exchanged views on global and regional situation and issues of mutual concern. Gen. Cuong underscored ASEAN’s important role in shaping and maintaining the regional security architecture, promoting practical cooperation among member states and between ASEAN and its partners.
The host highly praised the strategic document entitled “ADMM and ADMM+ Ready for the Future” co-drafted by Brunei and Singapore and adopted at the ADMM meeting in 2024, as well as the “Critical Underwater Infrastructure Security” initiative jointly proposed by Brunei, Singapore, and Thailand in 2025.
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Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi Bin Bol Hassan speaks at the talks. |
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The Brunei delegation at the talks |
Regarding the East Sea (aka South China Sea) issue, Gen. Cuong voiced Vietnam’s hope that Brunei will continue to coordinate in promoting ASEAN’s common stance of settling all disputes and differences by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982; fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and soon finalizing an effective, substantive, legally-abiding Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) consistent with international law.
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The host presents a souvenir to the guest. |
Earlier the same day, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi Bin Bol Hassan and the Brunei delegation laid wreaths at the Monument to War Heroes and Martyrs on Bac Son Street and at President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
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Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi Bin Bol Hassan and the Brunei delegation pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum. |
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The Brunei delegation offers flowers at the Monument to War Heroes and Martyrs on Bac Son Street. |
Translated by Mai Huong