The Vietnamese delegation included Deputy Minister of National Defense Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Gau.
During the subsequent talks, General Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the wholehearted assistance extended by generations of Russian leaders and people during its past struggles for independence and current national defense. He noted that the Vietnamese ministry inaugurated the Vietnam - Soviet Union Solidarity and Friendship Monument at the Vietnam Military History Museum in August 2025 to honor Soviet military advisors.
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Russian Minister of Defense Andrey Removich Belousov chairs the welcome ceremony for his Vietnamese counterpart General Phan Van Giang. |
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An overview of the welcome ceremony |
The Vietnamese defense chief expressed satisfaction with the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia, noting that senior leaders' agreements have boosted cooperation, with defense ties remaining a key pillar.
The Russian minister congratulated his counterpart on his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, expressing confidence that Gen. Giang would continue to advance bilateral defense cooperation. He affirmed that Russia supports promoting defense cooperation in new areas consistent with each side's capabilities.
The two ministers assessed that bilateral defense relations have been increasingly consolidated based on their August 2024 talks. They highlighted notable results in high-level delegation exchanges, training, and scientific cooperation within the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center, alongside mutual support within ASEAN-led mechanisms like ADMM+.
To enhance ties, both sides agreed to effectively implement signed agreements, exchange experience, cooperate in humanitarian mine clearance and military history education, and promote ties between the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center and Russian defense units.
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General Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese delegation at the talks |
Gen. Giang thanked Russia for allocating training quotas and affirmed Vietnam's readiness to receive Russian personnel for Vietnamese language study and international defense courses. He also invited Russian defense leaders and enterprises to the third Vietnam Defense Expo in December 2026. Following the talks, the two sides signed several cooperation documents.
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General Phan Van Giang, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi and the Vietnamese delegation plant a commemorative tree at the Monument to President Ho Chi Minh. |
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General Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese delegation lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Moscow. |
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General Phan Van Giang during the visit to the Embassy of Vietnam in Moscow |
On the same day, General Phan Van Giang and the delegation laid flowers at the Monument to President Ho Chi Minh, planted a commemorative tree, and laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. Earlier, on May 20, Gen. Giang visited the Embassy of Vietnam in Moscow, where he highly appreciated the contributions of Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi in consolidating defense cooperation and hoped for continued diplomatic support to enhance bilateral ties.
By Thu Trang (from Moscow, the Russian Federation)
Translated by Mai Huong