On the morning of November 30th, General Phan Van Giang, Member of the Political Bureau, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, and Minister of National Defense , personally inspected the preparations for the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024. This is an important event in the series of activities commemorating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day.
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| General Phan Van Giang inspects and approves the exhibition program. Photo: People's Army Newspaper |
Also attending were Senior General Hoang Xuan Chien, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Minister of National Defense, and Head of the Exhibition Steering Committee; Senior General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and Head of the Exhibition Organizing Committee; Lieutenant General Le Quang Minh, Deputy Head of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army; and heads of agencies and units of the Ministry of National Defense.
General Phan Van Giang inspected the exhibition area, reviewed reports on the opening ceremony, protocol, logistics, security, and safety; and requested the Organizing Committee to revise the opening ceremony script to clearly showcase the strength of the army and the high level of unity and consensus of the Vietnam People's Army. “This is the strength, this is the spirit of decisive victory. We affirm to the world that the Vietnam People's Army is a fighting force, a working force, and a productive labor force; developing the defense industry to be self-reliant, self-strengthening, self-defensive, dual-use, and modern. I hope you all will clearly demonstrate this role,” General Phan Van Giang instructed.
The General particularly commended the efforts of units such as the Air Force, Special Forces, and Border Guard in training and performing the required tasks to a high standard.
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| A view of the performance during the opening ceremony's program presentation. Photo: People's Army Newspaper |
Commending the Vietnamese Air Force for their participation in the welcoming flight at the opening ceremony of the Exhibition, Minister Phan Van Giang emphasized: “Our pilots – our heroic pilots – contribute to showcasing the strength of the Army to the world… The image of our comrades will spread throughout the world, the officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army demonstrating their strength, the strength to protect the Fatherland in this new era… The actions of each of us represent the Vietnamese nation with over 4,000 years of history on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army, the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day…, so that it truly becomes a celebration showcasing strength, unity, consensus, and solidarity from top to bottom.”
This year's exhibition features many innovations in content and display methods. Spanning an area of 10,530 m², the event is expected to showcase 68 types of military equipment used by the Vietnam People's Army, an increase of 19 types compared to 2022. Notably, the number of domestically produced defense industry products has increased to 468, a rise of 155. Modern projection technologies such as 3D mapping, virtual reality (VR), and dioramas recreating major campaigns like Dien Bien Phu and Ho Chi Minh, promise to provide visitors with a vivid and realistic experience.
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| The SU-30MK2 aircraft performs a mission during a demonstration report to the Minister of National Defense. Photo: People's Army Newspaper |
Notably, an online exhibition with interactive screens and VR was also implemented, helping to internationalize the event and reach a wider audience. International partners from the United States, Russia, and Italy registered to showcase advanced weapons and equipment such as the C130 aircraft, the RB-504P-E anti-UAV system, and training aircraft across thousands of square meters. More than 140 companies from 28 countries participated in the indoor exhibition, far exceeding the exhibition's initial goals.
The exhibition is not just about showcasing military equipment, but also about opening up opportunities for defense cooperation. It is expected that 56 international delegations from 36 countries, including delegations at the level of Defense Ministers and Chiefs of Staff, will attend the event. Alongside the exhibition, there will be ASEAN military band performances, art performances, and specialized seminars on high-tech weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles.
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| General Phan Van Giang delivered a speech outlining directives and lessons learned for the heads of agencies and units of the Ministry of National Defense. Photo: People's Army Newspaper |
At the thematic workshop, defense experts and businesses will discuss future trends in military technology, methods for detecting and countering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the applications of unmanned devices in modern military operations.
Songs like "Hello Vietnam," "Lac Hong Bloodline," and the artistic performances promise to leave a strong impression of Vietnam's land, people, and cultural identity. In particular, the Air Force's performance, with its welcoming flight, is expected to affirm the position and strength of the Vietnam People's Army, spreading a message of peace and cooperation to international friends.
The Vietnam International Defence Exhibition 2024, held from December 19-22 at Gia Lam Airport (Hanoi), is not only an opportunity for the Vietnam People's Army to affirm its strength, but also a bridge to promote defense cooperation, defense industry cooperation, and cultural exchange with the world.
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