France and Vietnam Strengthen Defense Cooperation with Strategic Partnership and Defense Expo Invitations

On May 13, 2026, Vice Minister of Defense of Vietnam, Nguyên Truong Thang, underscored the significant advancement in French-Vietnamese defense relations during a meeting with French Ambassador Olivier Brochet in Hanoi. The bilateral ties have been elevated to a global strategic partnership, signaling a deepening of cooperation in defense sectors, including delegation exchanges, training, maritime security, and defense industry collaboration.

Thang thanked France for its continued support in providing scholarships for training Vietnamese defense personnel and emphasized the importance of sustaining such programs, including university and postgraduate education in strategic fields. A key agenda for future cooperation includes high-level exchanges, signing of cooperation documents, and enhanced maritime security collaboration.

In a reciprocal gesture, Vietnam invited French military leaders and defense companies to participate in the upcoming Vietnam International Defence Expo 2026. Ambassador Brochet reaffirmed France's commitment to this strategic partnership and extended an invitation to Vietnam to attend the Eurosatory global defense and security exhibition scheduled in France in June 2026.

This initiative highlights the robust political will from both nations to advance their defense cooperation, contributing not only to bilateral ties but also to global peace, stability, and development.