Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024: Perspectives from Foreign Ambassadors
WVR - With the participation of hundreds of organizations and businesses from nearly 50 countries, the International Defence Expo 2024 has left a strong impression on international diplomats posting in Vietnam.
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| With the participation of hundreds of organizations and businesses from nearly 50 countries, the International Defence Expo 2024 has left a strong impression on international diplomats posting in Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Great Opportunity for Vietnam-France Defence Industry Cooperation
On December 19, attending the opening ceremony, French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet said that he was "very impressed with the organization of the Expo, the number of businesses and the quality of the participants. This indicates the significant level of interest the Expo has garnered."
Speaking with reporters, the French Ambassador emphasized that this reflects the strength of the Vietnamese people in their mission to safeguard the nation.
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| French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet at the Expo. (Photo: Trung Hung) |
The French delegation, consisting of over 20 defence companies, participated in the Expo under the leadership of Major General Caroline Salahun, Deputy Director-General for the Asia-Pacific region at the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA).
According to Ambassador Olivier Brochet, the presence of the French delegation at the event was not solely for military trade agreements but also to contribute to realizing the strategic directions set forth by General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron. These directions were announced in October this year when the bilateral relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highlighted message of peace, cooperation and development at the Expo. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
As part of this commitment, both sides pledged to develop defence relations to enhance self-reliance capabilities, aligned with each party's needs. To achieve this goal, the two nations decided to inject new momentum into their cooperation in the defence industry through research and the implementation of structural projects.
Ambassador Olivier Brochet remarked that Vietnam's defence industry holds great potential and plays a crucial role in the effort to modernize the Vietnam People's Army. French defence companies are ready to collaborate with their Vietnamese counterparts in this endeavor. "I believe there are tremendous opportunities for defence industry cooperation between the two sides," the French Ambassador affirmed.
The United States Shares the Message of “Peace, Cooperation, and Development”
Speaking to the press on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Vietnam International Defence Exhibition 2024, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper praised the event, hosted by Vietnam, as “very impressive and professional.”
The robust presence of the United States, with an unprecedented scale “in terms of both personnel and equipment,” underscores the strong commitment and support of the U.S. for a strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam, as well as the modernization efforts of the Vietnam People’s Army.
Notably, the U.S. expressed strong agreement with the message of “peace, cooperation, and development” delivered in Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s speech. “This is a message that we, the United States, deeply share,” Ambassador Marc Knapper emphasized.
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| From left to right: Ambassador Marc Knapper, Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Jedidiah Royal, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
The U.S. Ambassador expressed his hope that the two sides will continue working together to identify opportunities and expand cooperation in defence and the defence industry. Building on the strong bilateral relationship, defence cooperation between the two nations has seen significant progress in recent years across various areas, including military medicine, post-war recovery efforts, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and capacity building. These initiatives, the Ambassador noted, have “benefited Vietnam, the United States, and all nations alike.”
Showcasing Vietnam’s Diplomatic Standing
Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Vietnam, Shovgi Mehdizade, emphasized this view when commenting on the International Defense Expo 2024, which featured the participation of dozens of countries and hundreds of booths.
Speaking at the 2024 Year-End Gathering between the Azerbaijan Embassy in Vietnam and the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association, Ambassador Mehdizade congratulated his Vietnamese friends on an “impressive and successful” opening ceremony. He highlighted that the event “not only showcases Vietnam’s military potential but also reflects its diplomatic standing. This is something we are genuinely pleased to see for you.”
The gathering was held in the context of celebrating the 65th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Azerbaijan in 1959 and welcoming a delegation from Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry to the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024.
Speaking at the gathering, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador praised the traditional friendship established and nurtured by leaders Ho Chi Minh and Heydar Aliyev. In fact, the Vietnam-Azerbaijan relationship was founded when Azerbaijan was still a member of the former Soviet Union.
Thanks to the efforts of both countries, the bilateral relationship has flourished in recent years through various cooperative activities in politics, economics, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 is taking place from December 19 to 22 at Gia Lam Airport (Hanoi) and is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The event gathers over 200 organizations and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, including major military powers such as the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, India, and Israel.
The exhibition showcases 69 types of weapons and equipment developed, researched, and produced by the Vietnam People's Army since 2022.
