US to showcase modern military equipment at Vietnam defense expo

The U.S. will showcase modern defense equipment at the third Vietnam International Defense Expo, scheduled for Dec. 10-13 in Hanoi.

The announcement came during a meeting between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister Phan Van Giang and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Oct. 28 in Cebu, the Philippines, on the sidelines of ASEAN defense ministers' meetings.

Giang welcomed the U.S. plan to display modern military equipment at the event, organized by Vietnam's defense ministry at Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi. The expo will bring together defense industry companies from Vietnam and other countries.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phan Van Giang (L) exchanges information and wartime memorabilia with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Cebu, Oct. 28, 2026. Photo by People's Army Newspaper

The two ministers said bilateral defense cooperation had made positive progress, particularly in dialogue, the defense industry, military medicine and efforts to address the consequences of war.

Giang called on Washington to continue supporting people with disabilities affected by Agent Orange and fulfill its commitment to provide an additional US$130 million for the dioxin cleanup project at Bien Hoa Airport. He also urged the U.S. to help Vietnam achieve its goal of clearing nearly all areas contaminated by bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance left over from the war by 2045.

The two sides also exchanged information and wartime memorabilia to support efforts to search for, recover and identify the remains of Vietnamese soldiers killed in the war. Vietnam is intensifying these efforts through its "500-day campaign" running from March 15, 2026, to July 27, 2027.

Both ministers agreed to further promote defense cooperation based on their respective needs, capabilities and interests, contributing to regional peace, stability and development.

ASEAN-U.S. defense cooperation

Also on Oct. 28 in Cebu, Giang attended an informal ASEAN-U.S. Defense Ministers' Meeting co-chaired by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Hegseth.

Hegseth reaffirmed Washington's support for ASEAN centrality and expressed readiness to strengthen security cooperation with countries in the region, particularly in maritime security, maritime domain awareness, joint training and confidence-building measures to prevent conflicts.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister Phan Van Giang (front) attends an ASEAN defense ministers' meeting. Photo by People's Army Newspaper

Giang said ASEAN-U.S. defense cooperation had become increasingly substantive and called for more effective maritime exercises, programs for young defense leaders and initiatives to strengthen the capabilities of ASEAN member states.

He also proposed expanding cooperation in search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, advanced technology sharing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and responses to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents.

The 2026 Vietnam International Defense Expo will be the country's third edition, following events in 2022 and 2024. According to the Ministry of National Defense, this year's expo carries the theme "Peace - Friendship - Cooperation for Mutual Development" and will showcase defense products and technologies from Vietnam and other countries.