Presenting the Decision to promote Comrade Phan Văn Giang to the rank of General.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council and Commander-in-Chief of the People's Armed Forces, presents the decision to promote Comrade Phan Van Giang, Member of the Political Bureau, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, and Minister of National Defense, from Lieutenant General to General. Photo: VNA

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc presented the decision to promote Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang - Member of the Political Bureau, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission - from Lieutenant General to General; and to promote Deputy Minister Vu Hai San - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Member of the Central Military Commission - from Major General to Lieutenant General.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council and Commander-in-Chief of the People's Armed Forces, presents the decision to promote Deputy Minister of National Defense Vu Hai San, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and a member of the Central Military Commission, from Lieutenant General to General. Photo: VNA.

Speaking at the decision-awarding ceremony, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that General Phan Van Giang is a military officer with firm and unwavering principles and ideology, impeccable ethics, and a solid, formal education. He has been trained, tested, and matured from the grassroots level, "having gained extensive practical experience in leadership, command, and management through direct combat, and possesses a thorough and decisive style."

In all his positions, General Phan Văn Giang "excellently fulfilled all assigned tasks".

According to the President, the current task of protecting the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Fatherland, and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development, is a huge challenge for the country. He expressed his confidence and hope that General Phan Van Giang and Lieutenant General Vu Hai San would continue to perform their assigned tasks well. This includes demonstrating a spirit of daring to think, daring to act, daring to take responsibility, daring to innovate, daring to confront challenges, and daring to act for the common good. "Truly pioneering, exemplary, and a unifying force within the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, and the entire army," the President said.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc presents promotion decisions to Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang and Deputy Minister of National Defense Vu Hai San. Photo: VNA.

* General Phan Văn Giang is 61 years old; holds a doctorate in military science; and hails from Nam Truc district, Nam Dinh province.

He was a member of the Central Committee of the 12th Party Congress, a member of the Politburo of the 13th Party Congress; Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission; a member of the National Election Council; and a delegate to the 15th National Assembly.

The Minister of Defense began his military career in August 1978 as a soldier in the 4th Battalion, 677th Regiment, 346th Division, fighting in Cao Bang. Afterward, he studied at the Military Region 1 Cultural School and then became a student at the Tank Command and Engineering Officer School.

From September 1983, he was a Lieutenant and Platoon Leader of Company 3, Battalion 1037, Division 312, Corps 1, and subsequently rose through the ranks within Division 312, Corps 1, eventually becoming Division Commander.

From August 2008, he served as Deputy Commander for Military Affairs of the 1st Army Corps; then as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the 1st Army Corps. In June 2010, he was promoted to Major General and became Commander of the 1st Army Corps.

For four years (October 2011 - February 2014), General Giang served as Secretary of the Party Committee of the General Staff - Ministry of National Defense; Lieutenant General, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. Two years later, he held the position of Commander of Military Region 1.

From April 2016, he was appointed Deputy Minister of National Defence. One month later, he assumed the position of Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence.

In April 2021, he was approved by the National Assembly to be appointed Minister of National Defense.

* Lieutenant General Vu Hai San, 60 years old; Bachelor of Military Science; hails from Hai Hau district, Nam Dinh province; Member of the Central Committee of the Party, 12th and 13th terms. He previously held the positions of Commander of the Quang Ninh Provincial Military Command; Deputy Commander - Chief of Staff of Military Region 3; and Commander of Military Region 3. Since July 2020, he has been appointed as Deputy Minister of National Defense.