Vietnam, Thailand to create new momentum for defence ties

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang proposed the two sides push forward with key cooperation areas, including delegation exchanges at all levels, particularly those at high level; continued dialogue and consultation mechanisms; training, military and maritime law enforcement exchanges, cybersecurity, and defence industry.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (R) and Lieut. Gen. Adul Boonthumjaroen, Thai Minister of Defence (Photo: qdnd.vn)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (R) and Lieut. Gen. Adul Boonthumjaroen, Thai Minister of Defence (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang met with Lieut. Gen. Adul Boonthumjaroen, Thai Minister of Defence in Hanoi on June 8, as the latter accompanied Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul on an official visit and attendance at the third ASEAN Future Forum.

Expressing pleasure at the deepening and comprehensive development of Vietnam–Thailand relations over the past 50 years of their diplomatic ties, Giang said the May 2025 upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, along with Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s official visit to Thailand in May, stands as a vivid testament to the strong relationship and provides fresh momentum for bilateral defence ties.

He noted that defence ties have delivered substantive results, including frequent high-level and all-level delegation exchanges, well-maintained dialogue and consultation mechanisms, cooperation among military services, branches, and maritime law enforcement forces, as well as training and mutual support at multilateral forums and international events hosted by each side.

Adul, for his part, highly valued the effective defence ties with Vietnam. He wished that both sides would continue working closely together and effectively deliver on cooperation areas to further bolster the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The host proposed the two sides push forward with key cooperation areas, including delegation exchanges at all levels, particularly those at high level; continued dialogue and consultation mechanisms; training, military and maritime law enforcement exchanges, cybersecurity, and defence industry.

With Vietnam and Thailand sharing extensive adjacent maritime areas, he said coordination in maintaining maritime order and timely support for fishermen is vital, and called for more information sharing, joint patrols, professional exchanges, and cooperation on non-traditional security challenges between the two countries’ maritime law enforcement forces.

On this occasion, Giang invited Adul, along with leaders of Thai Ministry of Defence and the Royal Thai Armed Forces, to the third Vietnam International Defence Expo in Hanoi in December 2026, and said Thai defence companies are welcome to attend./.

VNA

See more

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (L) presents the First-Class and Second-Class Fatherland Protection Orders to the collectives for their achievements in search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Venezuela. (Photo: VNA)

PM calls for building elite, professional international search and rescue force

During its mission from June 29 to July 7, the team worked around the clock under extremely hazardous conditions amid heavily damaged and contaminated disaster zones. Despite the challenges, rescue personnel recovered 57 victims' bodies and handed them over to local authorities and families. They also identified and reported several suspected locations where additional victims might be trapped.

People gather at Den Thuong (Upper Temple) during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day in Phu Tho province. (Photo: VNA)

📝 OP-ED: Respect for history, gratitude a lasting cultural value of Vietnamese people

In Vietnamese cultural life, gratitude toward preceding generations has long been preserved as an integral part of the nation's identity. This tradition is reflected in ancestor worship practiced in families, the Worship of the Hung Kings, village deities, national heroes and eminent cultural figures, as well as tributes to generations who sacrificed their lives for the nation's independence and freedom.

General Phan Van Giang (R) and General Khamlieng Outhakaysone plant a tree at Thanh Thuy border gate. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Border community twinning strengthens Vietnam–Laos friendship

Over the past decade, the twinning relationship between Thuy Phong village in Nghe An’s Kim Bang commune, and Xop Tuong village in Nam On commune, Xaychamphone district, Bolikhamxay province of Laos, has become a model for fostering a shared border of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Delegates from the two nations, along with military attachés from several countries accredited to Vietnam, lay flowers in tribute to the Cuban military experts at the memorial monument within the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi on July 10. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cuba pay tribute to fallen Cuban military experts

Cuba and Vietnam on July 10 commemorated six Cuban military experts who lost their lives 60 years ago while supporting the Vietnamese people's resistance war, reaffirming the enduring solidarity and defence ties forged through the two countries' shared history.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung (third from left) poses for a commemorative photo with Honorary Consul Thaneth Tantipiriyakij and officials from several southern Thai provinces in front of the Honorary Consulate of Vietnam in Phuket. (Photo:VNA)

Vietnam opens first honorary consulate in Phuket

The ambassador said the establishment of Vietnam's first honorary consulate in Phuket reflects both countries' commitment to enhancing cooperation with the Andaman sea economic gateway while meeting growing demand for consular services and better support for Vietnamese citizens and the Vietnamese community in southern Thailand.

Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang speaks at the press conference on July 9. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks early signing of trade deal with EFTA

Vietnam will continue working closely with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states to sign their free trade agreement (FTA) at an early date and effectively implement its commitments.