Vietnam, Kazakhstan boost defense cooperation

PANO - As part of the foreign relations agenda in 2025, a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, led by Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam, Deputy Minister of National Defense, paid a working visit to Kazakhstan from May 24 to 26.

Vietnam, Kazakhstan strengthen defense cooperation

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Sr. Lt. Gen. Pham Hoai Nam and Maj. Gen. Sydykov Bakytbek Saparbekovich

During the visit, the Vietnamese defense leader held meetings with Major General Sydykov Bakytbek Saparbekovich, Deputy Minister of Defense of Kazakhstan, and Rakhymzhan Yerzhanovich Isakulov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan. Also present at the meetings were representatives from relevant agencies and units of both defense ministries, as well as Vietnamese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Pham Thai Nhu Mai.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the recent positive developments in Vietnam–Kazakhstan relations. They highlighted that during the official visit to Kazakhstan by General Secretary To Lam in early May, the two countries had upgraded their ties to a Strategic Partnership. They considered the current visit by the Vietnamese defense delegation a step toward implementing defense cooperation agreements reached by the top leaders of both countries.

A view of the meeting

The two sides highly appreciated the results of their defense cooperation in recent years, especially in areas such as delegation exchanges, the defense industry, and effective coordination within the framework of the Army Games organized by Russia’s Ministry of Defense.

Regarding future cooperation, both sides agreed to continue developing areas of mutual strength and demand, focusing on delegation exchanges, training, U.N. peacekeeping operations, and the defense industry. They also agreed to work toward signing a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defense cooperation and defense industry collaboration.

During the meetings, representatives from the General Department of Defense Industry and Viettel Group (Military Industry-Telecoms Group) showcased their capabilities to the Kazakh side and expressed readiness to explore cooperation opportunities in the near future.