Prime Minister: Vietnam builds strong enough defense potential to increase self-defense capability

On the morning of December 19, at Gia Lam airport, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, chaired the opening ceremony of the second Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024.

The opening ceremony was attended by leaders of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, departments, ministries and branches. On the international side, there were representatives of the Ministry of National Defense, military commanders of countries in the region and the world.

General Phan Van Giang welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to attend the exhibition.

The exhibition is part of a series of events celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of National Defense Day.

The opening ceremony has two main parts, in which the art part, the forces performed 4 acts including: Vietnamese Bamboo; Vietnam - Country - People with a medley of folk songs from the 3 regions from the Northwest, the Northern Delta to the Central and Central Highlands; Colorful Vietnam; Aspiration for Peace - Connecting the Five Continents.

A special art program with the participation of more than 2,000 officers, soldiers, artists, singers and actors inside and outside the Army.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the opening ceremony

Impressive welcome flight of SU-30MK2 aircraft and Mi helicopters in the sky performed by the Air Force; martial arts performance by Special Forces; Border Guard dog trainers demonstrating special skills...

In his opening speech, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warmly welcomed and thanked international guests, corporations and businesses for attending the exhibition.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the message of “Peace, friendship, cooperation and development” of the second exhibition held in Vietnam is an outstanding international event of special significance, contributing to promoting foreign relations and defense cooperation in all fields.

“Vietnam is a peace-loving country that values justice, love and reason in international cooperation. We consistently pursue a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of relations, being a good friend and reliable partner to all countries and an active and responsible member of the international community.

“Vietnam proactively promotes the expansion of foreign relations and defense cooperation to enhance friendship and mutual understanding, demonstrate sincerity and build trust, jointly address common security and safety challenges, prevent conflicts and prevent wars in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law; and contribute to peace, prosperity, and common development cooperation in the region and the world,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

The Prime Minister and delegates pressed the button to open the exhibition.

Colored smoke was shot up at the exact moment the delegates pressed the opening button.

Having experienced much pain, sacrifice and loss due to war, Vietnam understands and appreciates the value of friendship, for peace, cooperation and development. Vietnam firmly adheres to the defense policy of "4 no's" - "no participation in military alliances; no ally with one country to fight against another; no allowing foreign countries to set up military bases or use its territory to fight against other countries; no use of force or threat of use of force in international relations".

The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam's policy is to build a revolutionary, disciplined, elite, and modern army; to build a strong enough national defense potential to enhance the ability to defend and protect the country early, from afar, from the starting point.

Vietnam orients its strategy to develop a proactive, self-reliant, dual-use, modern and internationally integrated defense industry; prioritizes research, development and application of advanced science and technology in the defense industry to optimize dual-use; both enhancing defense potential and developing the economy, serving practical benefits for people's lives.

In his letter welcoming the exhibition, General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, said that the exhibition aims to implement the policy of synchronous, comprehensive, and extensive international integration in all fields; strengthen defense diplomacy, and develop cooperation with all countries.

It is a destination connecting businesses, research units, production and use of weapons and equipment with potential partners in the defense sector; promising to bring opportunities for cooperation in export and technology transfer for all parties.

After the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates and guests visited the area displaying products, weapons and equipment.

The Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 with the participation of 66 international delegations and more than 240 defense industry enterprises from 49 countries shows the prestige and brand in organizing defense exhibitions of Vietnam.

The exhibition area has a total area of 100,000m2, with indoor and outdoor areas. This is the second time the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition is held, after the first time in 2022.