Vietnam and Italy have agreed to strengthen defence cooperation in various fields, focusing on delegation exchange at all levels, human resources training, defence industry and technology transfer.
Rome (VNA) – Vietnam and Italy have agreed to strengthen defence cooperation in various fields, focusing on delegation exchange at all levels, human resources training, defence industry and technology transfer.
The consensus was announced on July 3 at the fourth Vietnam-Italy defence policy dialogue in Italy, co-chaired by Deputy Defence Minister Hoang Xuan Chien and Italian Undersecretary of State for Defence Matteo Perego Cremnago.
During the event, the two sides pledged to promote the exchange of experiences in deploying forces to participate in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping activities, overcoming the consequences of the war in Vietnam, and collaboration in cyber security for peace, cooperation and development for the benefit of both peoples.
Deputy Defence Minister Hoang Xuan Chien pays a courtesy call to Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. (Photo: VNA)
In addition, they shared their views on international and regional issues of common interest. They emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security, including maritime security, and advocated for the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, in particular the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Cremnago underlined Italy's willingness to support the Vietnam People's Army to strengthen its capabilities and promote practical and effective bilateral defence cooperation through the defence policy dialogue at the vice-ministerial level.
Deputy Defence Minister Hoang Xuan Chien meets with Admiral Luciano Portolano, Secretary General of Defense and National Director of Armaments (Photo: VNA)
While in the European country, Chien and his delegation paid a courtesy call to Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and held meetings with Admiral Luciano Portolano, Secretary General of Defense and National Director of Armaments, and representatives of the Italian Association of Aerospace and Defense Industries to discuss measures to promote defence collaboration. This year, Vietnam and Italy celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations (1973 - 2023) and 10 years of strategic partnership (2013 - 2023). Over the past 50 years, the friendship and cooperation between the two countries have always been promoted in many fields such as politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, investment, defence, security, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchange./.
A friendship exchange programme on Vietnam – Italy solidarity was held by the Vietnam – Italy Friendship Association (VIFA) and the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Associations in the Veneto and Liguria regions, and the Italian Embassy in Vietnam, on April 18 in Hanoi.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy recently held a series of political, economic and cultural events in Lombardy, the largest economic and financial hub in Italy, as part of the Vietnam – Italy Year 2023 celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.
Addressing the meeting, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his pleasure at meeting a large number of Vietnamese living and working in the RoK, acknowledging and appreciating their efforts in contributing to the growing Vietnam–RoK partnership.
He also welcomed the “Vietnam Private Sector Panorama” as a platform for dialogue, awareness-raising, and inspiring a wealth-creation movement, emphasising that it must deliver tangible results.
During a meeting on August 10 in Seoul with 100 representatives from the RoK’s intellectuals, associations, people’s organisations, businesses, and non-governmental organisations operating in Vietnam, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his gratitude to Korean friendship, economic, cultural associations, universities, research institutes, individuals, and NGOs for their significant contributions to nurturing the Vietnam–RoK relationship.
Party General Secretary To Lam met with Chairman of the Republic of Korea (RoK)–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul on August 10 as part of his state visit to the RoK.
The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee is scheduled to convene its 48th session on August 11-13, with August 14-15 set as a backup date, according to the NA Office.
Vietnam’s Ambassador to Brazil and Bolivia Bui Van Nghi has led an embassy delegation to attend official events marking the 200th anniversary of Bolivia’s Independence Day.
Party General Secretary To Lam met with members of the Vietnam Innovation Network in Korea (VINK) and Vietnamese experts living and working in the Republic of Korea (RoK) in Seoul on August 10 as part of his state visit to the RoK.
In an interview with Korean media on the occasion of Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to the RoK, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that the visit demonstrates Vietnam’s strong resolve to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the RoK, with the aim of fostering greater political trust, closer strategic coordination, more substantive and comprehensive cooperation, and stronger bonds of friendship between the two countries' people.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is also a Politburo member and Secretary of the Government Party Committee, attended the 4th Party Congress of the EVN Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 tenure on August 10, directing EVN to ensure power supply to meet the country’s development demands with double-digit growth set for the coming years.
Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, along with a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Seongnam Air Base in Seoul on August 10 afternoon (local time), beginning a state visit to the Republic of Korea from August 10-13.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
An overview of the conference (Photo: VNA) 
Deputy Defence Minister Hoang Xuan Chien pays a courtesy call to Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. (Photo: VNA) 
Deputy Defence Minister Hoang Xuan Chien meets with Admiral Luciano Portolano, Secretary General of Defense and National Director of Armaments (Photo: VNA) 
