The handover ceremony was chaired by Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Vo Minh Luong.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Vo Minh Luong chairs the handover ceremony. |
Previously, on May 30, 2025, the MND had issued Decision 2386 to establish the Marine Economic Corps (Corps 20) under its direct command, formed from the existing structure of the Saigon Military Port (Saigon Newport Corporation). This restructuring reflects a strategic shift, aligning with current realities and fulfilling the requirements of national defense consolidation and national building and defense in the new era.
At the conference, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy Senior Captain Nguyen Thinh Tiep presented the draft agreement detailing the complete transfer of Saigon Newport Corporation.
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The deputy defense minister speaks at the event. |
Speaking on behalf of the Central Military Commission and the MND’s leadership, General Luong praised the Navy, Corps 20, and relevant departments for their close coordination and responsibility during the preparation process.
The deputy defense minister emphasized that Corps 20 must fully implement the guidelines and directives on military and defense tasks, integrating economic development and defense consolidation and national building and protection, especially in line with the national strategy for sustainable marine economic development by 2030, with a vision to 2045. He stressed that sustainable development of the marine economy must go hand in hand with ensuring national defense, security, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Following the handover, Corps 20 is tasked with stabilizing its organizational structure, consolidating Party and leadership bodies, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the welfare of officers and employees.
It must also fulfill its mission as a production and logistics unit, playing a pivotal role in boosting maritime commerce, elevating Vietnam’s national brand, and contributing to the country’s overall development and defense.
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A view of the handover ceremony |
The defense leader urged the corporation to accelerate investment, expand operations, uphold legal compliance, preserve and grow its capital, and work toward becoming a leading enterprise in Vietnam’s maritime economy. He especially emphasized pioneering efforts in developing “green ports” and “smart/automated ports,” with a goal to begin the construction of Vietnam’s first semi-automated port in Lach Huyen (Hai Phong) by mid-2026. Additionally, the corporation is expected to transform its current digital port infrastructure into a foundation for the National Digital Seaport platform, contributing to promoting the broader digital transformation of the seaport exploitation industry, logistics services, and the development of national digital economy.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Vo Minh Luong chairs the signing of the handover report. |
As part of the handover, Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem, Commander of the Navy and Major General Ngo Minh Thuan, Commander of Corps 20 represented the two sides to sign the official handover agreement.
Translated by Tran Hoai