Full text of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's speech at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024

Dear leaders of the Ministry of Defense and the Army of all countries!

Dear delegates, distinguished guests at home and abroad!

Today, I am very pleased to join you in attending the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 in Hanoi - the City for Peace, the thousand-year-old civilized and heroic capital of Vietnam. On behalf of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, I warmly welcome and would like to send to you, the delegates and distinguished guests, my warmest greetings, kind regards and best wishes!

Taking place on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the heroic Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day, the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 has special significance, being an outstanding international event with the message "Peace - Cooperation - Mutual Development", contributing to promoting foreign affairs and defense cooperation in all fields; for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Dear all!

Vietnam is a peace-loving country that values ​​justice, love, and reason in international cooperation. We consistently implement the foreign policy of “independence, self-reliance; multilateralization and diversification of relations; being good friends and reliable partners with all countries and an active and responsible member of the international community”.

Vietnam proactively expands foreign relations and defense cooperation to enhance friendship and mutual understanding, demonstrate sincerity and build trust, jointly address common security and safety challenges, prevent conflicts, and prevent and combat wars in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law; and contribute to peace, prosperity, cooperation, and common development in the region and the world.

Having experienced much pain, sacrifice and loss due to war, Vietnam understands and appreciates the value of friendship, for peace, cooperation and development. Vietnam firmly adheres to the defense policy of "Four Nos" - "no participation in military alliances; no ally with one country to fight against another; no allowing foreign countries to set up military bases or use its territory to fight against other countries; no use of force or threat of use of force in international relations".

Dear delegates!

Vietnam advocates building a revolutionary, disciplined, elite, and modern army; building a strong enough defense potential to enhance the ability to defend and protect the country early, from afar, from the starting point. Vietnam has a strategic orientation to develop a proactive, self-reliant, self-reliant, dual-use, modern, and internationally integrated defense industry; prioritizing research, development, and application of advanced science and technology in the defense industry to optimize dual-use; both enhancing defense potential and developing the economy, serving the strategic interests of the country and the practical lives of the people.

Dear all!

The Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 is an affirmation of Vietnam's role and contribution to international defense cooperation; a symbol of trust, respect and goodwill for cooperation between countries for a peaceful, stable and prosperous world; a vivid demonstration of the support and meaningful affection of international friends for the country, people and the Vietnam People's Army - the heroic army of a heroic nation, always showing sincerity, trust and responsibility to international friends.

The Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 with the participation of 66 international delegations, with more than 240 defense industry enterprises from 49 countries also shows the prestige and brand in organizing defense exhibitions of Vietnam. This is an opportunity for all of us to strengthen our relationships and also an opportunity for Vietnam to welcome and show gratitude to international friends, share culture, art, cuisine; introduce the country and people of Vietnam - a nation that is indomitable and heroic in defending the Fatherland, but also loves peace, is industrious, creative, friendly and hospitable.

On behalf of the Government of Vietnam, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all international delegates, enterprises, corporations, military and security industry corporations from various countries who participated in the Exhibition. You have brought us sincerity, trust and close and effective cooperation with the heroic Vietnam People's Army.

We believe that the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 will be a great success, bringing many opportunities for exchanges, sharing experiences, exchanging scientific and technological advances, innovation, digital transformation, promoting the development of military trade; opening up a promising future of cooperation, in line with the spirit of "Peace, friendship, cooperation and development".

In that spirit, I respectfully declare the opening of the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024.

Wishing all delegates and distinguished guests good health, happiness, success and wonderful experiences at the 2024 Exhibition and in the heroic, hospitable and friendly Vietnam.

Thank you very much!