Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, defence minister Phan Văn Giang, and senior leaders launch the opening of the Việt Nam Defence Expo 2024. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — The four-day Việt Nam Defence Expo 2024 officially opened on Thursday morning at Gia Lâm Airport in Hà Nội.

The event is part of the 80th anniversary of the Việt Nam People's Army (December 22, 1944-2024) and the 35th anniversary of the National All-People Defence Day.

Politburo Member and Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính attended the opening ceremony, along with various senior leaders from the Party and the State of Việt Nam, while foreign guests include defence ministers from Laos, Cambodia, Cuba, Belarus, Thailand, Brunei, and Mongolia.

Held on a grand scale with the participation of over 2,000 officers and soldiers from the Vietnamese army, the highlights include the aerial salute by the Việt Nam People's Air Force, martial arts demonstrations by special operations forces, and displays of skills and training by border guard canine units.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and defence minister Phan Văn Giang at the opening ceremony of the Việt Nam Defence Expo 2024. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

​In his address, PM Chính emphasised the profound significance of the expo. Themed "Peace - Cooperation - Development," the exhibition serves as a prominent international event promoting defence diplomacy and cooperation across various fields for peace, stability, and development in the region and worldwide.

PM Chính reiterated Việt Nam's commitment to peace, righteousness, and justice in international relations. He affirmed Việt Nam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism, and diversification of partnerships, as well as its aspirations to be a good friend, a reliable partner to all countries, and a proactive, responsible member of the global community.

Việt Nam actively seeks to enhance defence cooperation to build trust, address common security challenges, deter conflicts and prevent wars, based on the principles of international law, contributing towards the goal of global peace, development and prosperity.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính visits the exhibitions of Vietnamese-made defence products. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

Drawing from its painful experiences of war, Việt Nam values friendship and peace, the Government leader noted.

He reiterated Việt Nam's steadfast pursuance of its "Four Nos" defence policy: no military alliances, no siding with one country against another, no letting foreign military bases or use of its territory against others, and no use or threat of force in international relations.

Việt Nam is dedicated to building a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern military force and strengthening its defence capabilities to protect the nation proactively. The country prioritises the advancement of a self-reliant and modern defence industry, integrating dual-use technologies to enhance both national security and economic development.

The Su-30MK2 squad performs flares during the opening ceremony of the Việt Nam International Defence Expo 2024. — VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng

The 2nd edition of the Việt Nam Defence Expo, following the inaugural one in 2022, affirms Việt Nam's role in global defence cooperation and showcases trust, respect, and goodwill among nations for a peaceful and prosperous world. With the participation of 66 international delegations and over 240 defence enterprises from 49 countries, the event underscores Việt Nam's credibility and organisational capacity.

The exhibition also offers an opportunity to strengthen relationships, promote cultural exchange, and introduce Việt Nam's resilient, peace-loving, industrious, and hospitable people.

PM Chính expressed his gratitude to international guests and enterprises for their participation and confidence in the exhibition's success. He highlighted the event's potential to foster collaboration, share technological advancements, and drive innovation in military trade.

This year, the exhibition area spans over 100,000 sq.mm including 15,000 sq.m of indoor exhibition space (double the size compared to 2022) and more than 20,000 sq.m of outdoor space.

The exhibition showcases a diverse range of military equipment, including aircraft, tanks, missiles, radar systems, drones, and firearms, from various countries, such as China, the United States, Russia, India, Israel, France, the UK, and Spain, among others.

Helicopters at the opening ceremony of the Việt Nam Defence Expo 2024. — VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng

The exhibition features demonstrations, product showcases, business networking, and technical seminars to promote international military trade and the exchange of expertise.

It also highlights Việt Nam's defence industry capabilities, traditions, and achievements over the past 80 years, and shares its defence policies and strategies.

The event fosters trust-building, expands international defence relations, and explores opportunities for collaboration in technology transfer, production, and equipment procurement.

It also serves as a platform to promote and publicise the capabilities and technological potential of weapons and equipment produced by Việt Nam's defence industry to international friends and the domestic public, while seeking opportunities to export defence industry products.

Many Vietnamese products on display at the exhibition are developed by agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defence, such as the General Department of Defence Industry, the Air Defence-Air Force Service, the Navy Service, the Military Technical Academy, the Việt Nam-Russia Tropical Center, the Armored Corps, the Chemical Corps, the Institute of Military Science and Technology, the Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel).

The event will open to the public from 9:00 am on December 21. — VNS

The Su-30MK2 fighter squadron of the Việt Nam People's Air Force performs a flight demonstration at the opening ceremony of the Việt Nam Defence Expo 024. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

Martial arts performances by the special force units. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang