Things are all set for the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

The expo with the theme "Peace, Friendship, Cooperation for Joint Development," coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22).

Major General Nguyen Xuan Thuy, Deputy Director of the Propaganda and Training Department told reporters on Tuesday that the theme reaffirms Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification of relations, and being a friend and a reliable partner of all nations for peace, friendship, and cooperation for joint development. 

Major General Nguyen Xuan Thuy, Deputy Director of the Propaganda and Training Department, speaks at a press conference on the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024, Hanoi, December 17, 2024. (Photo: VNA)

“The expo aims to strengthen and expand defense cooperation, build trust between Vietnam and other countries, and share Vietnam's defense foreign policy. It also provides an opportunity for domestic and international businesses, organizations, and governments to showcase products and explore cooperation,” he said. 

General Thuy noted that this year’s expo is much larger than the inaugural event in 2022. More than 60 international delegations have confirmed participation.

A highlight of the expo is a music exchange program involving military bands from some ASEAN countries and China.