Vietnam and Brunei were suggested to maintain exchanges at all levels, especially at high level, and cooperation mechanisms such as consultations between armed forces and the Joint Working Group on military and defence cooperation.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Major General Dato Paduka Seri Faji Muhammad Haszaimi Bin Bol Hassan, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, review the Guard of Honour of the Vietnam People’s Army on September 17. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence, has urged closer coordination between the VPA and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) to effectively implement agreed cooperation areas.
The call was made during talks in Hanoi on September 17 with a visiting RBAF delegation led by its Commander Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi Bin Bol Hassan. The delegation is on an official visit to Vietnam from September 16–18 at the invitation of Gen. Cuong.
Cuong proposed both sides maintain exchanges at all levels, especially at high level, and cooperation mechanisms such as consultations between armed forces and the Joint Working Group on military and defence cooperation; promote training cooperation; expand collaboration in potential fields such as defence industry, logistics, military medicine, search and rescue, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity; continue close consultations and mutual support in multilateral mechanisms, forums, and international events organised by each side.
ꦉ Both sides exchanged views on global and regional developments and shared issues of concern. The Vietnamese general voiced his satisfaction with the progress of bilateral defence cooperation, citing advances in delegation exchanges, navy and air force consultations, naval port calls, professional exchanges, training, and coordination at multilateral forums, particularly ASEAN-led mechanisms and international events hosted by both countries.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong welcomes Major General Dato Paduka Seri Faji Muhammad Haszaimi Bin Bol Hassan. (Photo: VNA)
Cuong stressed ASEAN’s central role in shaping and sustaining the regional security architecture while promoting practical cooperation among member states and with external partners. He also praised the strategic document “ADMM and ADMM-Plus Ready for the Future”, co-drafted by Brunei and Singapore and adopted at the 2024 ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting, as well as the Critical Underwater Infrastructure Security (CUI) initiative jointly proposed by Brunei, Singapore, and Thailand in 2025.
Turning to the East Sea issue, the Vietnamese official expressed hope that Brunei will continue to back ASEAN’s common stance of addressing disputes peacefully, in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He highlighted the importance of fully implementing commitments such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon finalising a substantive, effective Code of Conduct (COC) consistent with international law.
For his part, the RBAF Commander recalled his meeting with Gen. Cuong on the sidelines of the 22nd ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Meeting (ACDFM-22) in Malaysia earlier this month, where the two discussed bilateral defence cooperation. Endorsing the proposals raised at the Hanoi talks, he suggested that the two armies explore additional fields of cooperation where both have potential and mutual interest, thereby further strengthening defence ties in the years ahead./.
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State President Luong Cuong met with Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah on November 14 (local time) on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Lima.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man held bilateral meetings with Cambodian National Assembly President Khuon Sudary and Timor-Leste National Parliament Speaker Maria Fernanda Lay in Kuala Lumpur on September 17 on the sidelines of the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46).
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National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Malaysia on September 16 as part of his official trip to the country.
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Vietnam will continue to actively support Timor-Leste in effectively participating in and actively contributing to the ASEAN Community, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung affirmed on September 16.
Russia attaches importance to advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, identifying Vietnam as one of its leading partners in the region, said Nikolai Patrushev, Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board.
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Deputy PM Mai Van Chinh urged the two sides to highly prioritise railway cooperation, effectively utilise the Vietnam – China Joint Railway Cooperation Committee, and ensure the groundbreaking of the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway project in 2025.
Party General Secretary To Lam called for Russia's support in helping Vietnam manage and sustainably utilise its maritime space in a way that aligns with each country’s interests and contributes to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong has offered congratulations to his Mexican counterpart Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo on the 215th Independence Day of Mexico (September 16, 1810–2025).
The visit is a step to implement the Vietnam-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, thereby fostering cooperation in all fields in a more substantive and effective manner.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the country’s new growth drivers stem from the organic linkages among the resolutions, explaining that international integration opens the door to the world, while stable and green energy is a prerequisite for production, schools, and hospitals. He added that high-quality education and training will supply engineers, doctors, and public service managers. A modern health system with strong preventive foundations will keep people healthy so they can study, work, and innovate.
The Politburo’s Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new context marks an important milestone in Vietnam’s integration journey, reaffirming that global engagement is a strategic engine driving the nation into a new era, stated Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung while addressing a national conference on September 16 to implement key Politburo’s resolution, including Resolution 59.
Building on the Politburo’s Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW dated February 11, 2020, the new resolution defines energy security as a core pillar of national security that is directly linked to political stability, economic growth, national defence and global integration, Nghi said.
All preparations for the unit, comprising 169 officers and soldiers, have been completed, and the personnel are ready to embark on their mission on September 26.
Minister of Public Security Gen. Luong Tam Quang hosted a reception in Hanoi on September 16 for Nikolai Patrushev, Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board.
