Vietnam, Japan to hold training course for sappers
A visiting Japanese delegation visited Vietnam’s Sapper Brigade 249 on September 11 to review preparations for the two countries’ upcoming training course in operating heavy military machinery for sappers.
At the working session between the Japanese delegation and representatives of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations. (Photo: qdnd.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – A visiting Japanese delegationvisited Vietnam’s Sapper Brigade 249 on September 11 to review preparations forthe two countries’ upcoming training course in operating heavy militarymachinery for sappers.
The course, slated for later this year and the second of itskind, is part of a triangular partnership project among Vietnam, Japan and theUN to boost the peacekeeping capacity of Vietnam’s military engineering unitsfor its future peacekeeping mission.
At the visit, the delegation toured the brigade’s drillground, training locations, infrastructure, and equipment. The drill groundthat spans nearly 15 hectares is ready to serve the operation of heavy-duty equipmentduring the course.
Head of the delegation Lieutenant Colonel Akenko Shingo fromthe staff office of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force said he is pleased withthe preparation made by Vietnam.
The same day, the Japanese guests had a working session atthe Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
Director of the department Major General Hoang Kim Phungthanked Japan for supporting Vietnam within the framework of the triangularpartnership project.
He affirmed that the two countries’ cooperation related tothe UN peacekeeping mission plays an increasing important role and has become apillar in their defence ties. Such collaboration has been included in theagenda of the sides’ deputy ministerial-level defence dialogue.
Vietnam hopes to learn from Japan’s and international lecturers’peacekeeping experience in meeting UN’s standards and procedures, particularlywhen the country plans to send a large number of sappers, at around 290, tocarry out the mission.
For his part, Akenko Shingo stated Japan is ready to assistVietnam in deploying it engineer unit for UN peacekeeping mission via experiencesharing and training support./.
An inter-sectoral conference was held in Hanoi on July 18 to review preparation works of the deployment of the level-2 field hospital No.2 to replace the No.1 and a sapper company, and consider the possibility of sending the civil force to join the United Nations’ peacekeeping activities.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on August 23 visited the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA)’s Level-2 Field Hospital No. 2 at the Hanoi-based Military Medical University.
Vietnam wants to exchange experience with Thailand in organising training courses, and promote delegation exchanges on UN peacekeeping operations, a Vietnamese senior officer said on September 10.
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.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
At the working session between the Japanese delegation and representatives of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations. (Photo: qdnd.vn) 
