Vietnam welcomes Azerbaijani military students, deepens strategic defence ties

Vietnam has expressed its readiness to welcome Azerbaijani military students for language and defence training, as part of a broader effort to enhance bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations.

General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, made the announcement during official talks with Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defence of Azerbaijan, who is currently on an official visit to Vietnam. The visit coincides with the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s National Day on September 2, Caliber.Az reports, citing Vietnamese media.

Following a formal welcoming ceremony in Hanoi, during which the two defence ministers reviewed the Guard of Honor of the Vietnam People’s Army, General Giang emphasized Vietnam's commitment to deepening its traditional friendship with Azerbaijan. This enduring relationship, he noted, was nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and the late President Heydar Aliyev, and continues to be strengthened by successive generations of leaders and citizens from both countries.

The Vietnamese defence chief highlighted that the recent elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership—formalized during General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Azerbaijan in May—has created a strong foundation for expanding defence cooperation across multiple sectors.

A particularly symbolic gesture underscoring this longstanding bond is the construction of a monument by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence at the Vietnam Military History Museum. The monument pays tribute to Soviet military experts, including Azerbaijani personnel, who supported Vietnam during its historic resistance wars. According to General Giang, this is a testament to the gratitude of the Vietnamese Party, State, Army, and people.

Reaffirming Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, and multilateral cooperation, General Giang reiterated the country’s adherence to its "four no’s" defence policy: no military alliances, no siding with one country against another, no foreign military bases, and no use or threat of force in international relations. He stressed that all disputes must be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law.

Looking ahead, the two ministers discussed a series of initiatives to strengthen defence collaboration. These include increasing high-level short-term exchanges, promoting defence training programs, and facilitating cooperation between defence enterprises in areas such as military technology, logistics, defence industry, and military trade.

General Giang also proposed the mutual establishment of Defence Attaché Offices in each country to enhance communication and coordination. Importantly, he confirmed that Vietnam is ready to receive Azerbaijani military students to study the Vietnamese language at the Academy of Military Sciences and to participate in international defence officer training courses at the Vietnam National Defence Academy.

In response, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and the invitation to attend the National Day celebrations. He voiced satisfaction with the growing ties between the two nations, noting that the newly established strategic partnership offers a robust framework for expanding practical defence cooperation.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a Letter of Intent between the two Defence Ministries, outlining a commitment to military training collaboration. Minister Hasanov emphasized the untapped potential in the bilateral relationship and expressed confidence that continued efforts from both sides would result in substantive, effective contributions to regional and global peace and security.

By Vafa Guliyeva