RTAF – Air Attaché Office in Hanoi
DEFENSE NEWS BULLETIN 28.February.2022
1. Singapore and Vietnam Reaffirm Warm and Friendly Defence Relations. On 25 February, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen met Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence General (GEN) Phan Van Giang, who is in Singapore as part of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s delegation. President Phuc is on a State Visit to Singapore from 24 to 26 February 2022 at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Singapore Halimah Yacob. At the State Visit, Dr Ng and GEN Giang signed and renewed the bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA). The renewed DCA, which builds on the first DCA signed in 2009, serves as a framework for both countries to continue existing interactions in enhancing cooperation and promoting closer interaction between the Singapore Armed Forces and the Vietnam People’s Army. Both defence establishments will continue to interact through regular exchange visits, training courses, policy dialogues and Track 1.5 seminars, and cooperate in areas of mutual interest such as military medicine, counter-terrorism, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and search and rescue (SAR).
(Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) signed the renewed Defence Cooperation Agreement with Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence General (GEN) Phan Van Giang (left) at the Istana this morning)
(GEN Giang calling on Dr Ng at a bilateral meeting this afternoon)
(GEN Giang on a unit visit at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base)
Dr Ng and GEN Giang also discussed bilateral defence cooperation and other matters of mutual interest. GEN Giang will also visit RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base where he will be briefed on the Republic of Singapore Navy’s submarine rescue capabilities, and visit the Information Fusion Centre and the Regional Humanitarian Coordination Centre for a better understanding of how the centres support maritime security and HADR efforts respectively. Singapore and Vietnam share warm and friendly defence ties. Both countries have continued regular interactions despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The signing of the renewed DCA reaffirms the mutual commitment between both defence establishments to further enhance their defence relationship through close cooperation, and to contribute to the peace and stability of the region. Relevant health checks and safety measures were taken by the visiting delegation. (By MOD Singapore Website) 2. Vietnamese military receives 2nd batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines from PLA The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense has received the second batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine presented by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China. A PLA transport aircraft carrying the vaccine doses arrived late Tuesday at Noi Bai International Airport in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. At the handover ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo said cooperating to combat COVID-19 is currently a priority in China-Vietnam cooperation, and that China has by far provided Vietnam with a total of 52 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, contributing to Vietnam’s master plan for both epidemic control and socio-economic development. The vaccine aid once again demonstrated the warm friendship between the two countries and two militaries to help each other and fight against the pandemic together, Xiong said, adding that the Chinese side is willing to continue to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, to support Vietnam’s anti-epidemic efforts within its capacity. Thanking the Chinese side for providing the vaccine aid, Hoang Xuan Chien, Vietnam’s deputy minister of national defense, said the vaccine aid reflects the friendship of “comrades and brothers” between his country and China. He said the Vietnamese side will do a good work of distributing and administering the vaccines, better serving disease prevention and control as well as economic recovery. In August 2021, the Vietnamese military received the first batch of Sinopharm vaccines sent by the Chinese PLA. According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Health, as of Wednesday, the Southeast Asian country had registered over 2.4 million COVID-19 cases, mostly in the current wave of infections which started in late April last year.
(Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo (3rd L) and Hoang Xuan Chien (4th R), Vietnam’s deputy minister of national defense, attend a handover ceremony of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb. 8, 2022)
(Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo (L) and Hoang Xuan Chien, Vietnam’s deputy minister of national defense, attend a handover ceremony of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb. 8, 2022)
(By Xinhua.Net) 3. Vietnam denies information on maritime militia building The information from a Chinese military magazine confirming Vietnam is building a maritime militia is untrue, and Vietnam completely denies it.
(Vietnam rejects accusations of building armed militia in East Sea)
Regarding the information from a Chinese military magazine that Vietnam is building a maritime militia, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed that this is untrue information and Vietnam completely denies it. Vietnam adheres to the policy of peaceful defense and self-defense, Hang said, adding that activities of Vietnamese functional forces absolutely comply with the Vietnamese law, international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. Besides, she stressed, Vietnam always strives to maintain peace, stability, security, safety, development cooperation in accordance with international law, including the UNCLOS 1982. Commenting on China’s commitment to provide more vaccines for ASEAN countries at the World Economic Forum 2022, the spokesperson said, Vietnam welcomes China’s announcement. Vietnam is ready to coordinate with China to implement this declaration to make a positive contribution to the current epidemic prevention and control in the region, she noted. (By Vietnamnet) 4. Vietnamese frigate Quang Trung joins the naval exercise MILAN 2022 According to information published by Vietnam+ on February 25, 2022, Vietnamese frigate Quang Trung and a delegation of the Vietnam People’s Navy arrived at the Indian city of Visakhapatnam to attend the multilateral naval exercise MILAN 2022 at the invitation of the Indian Navy.
(Gepard-class frigate Quang Trung)
Quang Trung (HQ-016) is a Gepard-class frigate (Gepard 3.9 type) in the Vietnam People’s Navy. She was built by the Zelenodolsk shipyard in Russia undersigned contract to the Vietnamese Navy. The Russian Gepard-class frigates (Project 11661) is a class of frigates that were intended as successors to the earlier Koni-class frigates and Grisha, and Parchim-class corvettes. These vessels are capable of employing their weapons systems in conditions up to Sea State 5. The hull and superstructure are constructed primarily of steel, with some aluminum magnesium being used in the upper superstructure. They are equipped with fin stabilizers and twin rudders and can use either gas turbines or diesel for propulsion in a CODOG configuration. (By Navy Recognition) 5. Young take great pride in military service Thousands of young people across the nation from all walks of life are excited and proud to join the army and hope to contribute to protecting the fatherland. Graduating from HuếUniversity in central Thừa Thiên-HuếProvince with excellent academic results in biotechnology, Lê Đắc Hải had many opportunities to find a job with a high income but has registered to join the army instead. He said he wanted to join the army to train in the military environment and to serve the country. “I have tried to equip myself with knowledge and skills to be able to adapt to the high-discipline environment of the army and will try to study and fulfil my duty the best I can,” he told Vietnamnet online newspaper. Hải’s father Lê Đắc Thân said he wished his son would be better trained and gain skills in the army to become more mature.
(A ceremony was held in northern Bắc Giang Province on February 16 to see young people off for military service)
Like Hải, Trần Viết Hiếu from central Thừa Thiên-HuếProvince’s Quảng Điền District, is busily preparing to join up. “I voluntarily registered to join the army. I feel very excited and proud to join the mission to protect the country and uphold the tradition of my family and locality,” he said. Hải and Hiếu, together with thousands of their peers nationwide, will leave their homes for military service this month between February 16 and 20. The province’s Military High Command said the selection and recruitment of youths for military services this year met many difficulties due to the pandemic. Among nearly 1,500 local youths joining the army this year, over 10 per cent graduated from colleges and universities, while 59 per cent graduated from high schools. The province organised a ceremony to see the young people off for military service on February 16. In northern Hòa Bình Province, all are ready for the ceremony scheduled to hand over the new soldiers to army units. Sùng A Phừ, 23, from Mai Châu District, registered to join the army although he is working for a business with a stable income. “Although I have a stable job, I still want to join the army and follow the fatherland’s call. I promise to train myself and successfully fulfil all assigned tasks,” he told Vietnam News Agency. His grandfather, Sùng A Tếnh, 78, said he used to be a soldier and was proud to see Phừfollow the older generation and serve. He said he believed that the army would train his grandson to be a better and more mature person. Nguyễn Văn Lâm, chairman of Mai Châu District’s People’s Committee, said 100 per cent of local youths who joined the army this year were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Local authorities have visited and presented gifts to the new recruits and will take care of the families of disadvantaged soldiers, he said.
(A soldier in central Phú Yên Province prepares personal belongings before leaving for the army)
In northern mountainous Lai Châu Province, 19-year-old Lò Văn Cường from the Giáy ethnic minority group in San Thàng Commune, said he could not hide his feelings on knowing that he was joining the army. Although the living conditions of his family are tough, Cường was still willing to join. He said that the army would provide him with a good education and training environment. Cường has spent most of his time in recent days at home to help his parents do housework before he leaves. Hoằng Văn Duy, also from the Giáy ethnic minority group in the commune, said he felt proud to be recruited. “I will strive to fulfil all assigned tasks for the young generation,”he said. Before registering to join, Duy was working for a company in northern Nam Định Province with a monthly salary of VNĐ5-7 million (US$217-300). However, with a desire to serve the country, Duy decided to temporarily put aside his job to perform military service. Mission completed Localities nationwide have reported completing the recruitment targets set for 2022 while strictly following COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures. All the young men joining the army have been given tests for coronavirus.
(A medical worker takes samples of new soldiers for COVID-19 testing before they are handed over to army units)
A delegation from the Ministry of National Defence, led by Deputy Minister Senior Lieutenant General Võ Minh Lương, on Tuesday, went to southern Đồng Nai Province to inspect the recruitment process. Lương said recruitment must ensure high-quality with the aim of building a modern, elite revolutionary army. The HồChí Minh Communist Youth Union of Hà Nội on February 12 held an exchange to encourage the young people before they leave home. Secretary of the municipal Youth Union Chu Hồng Minh said that in response to the requirements of national defence, development and protection, the Youth Union has actively mobilised local youths to sign up. The Youth Union defines the army as a “big school for youths to learn and be trained to help complete tasks.” “Devoting themselves to national construction and defence is the honour, pride and responsibility of Vietnamese youths,” said Chu Hồng Minh. “You temporarily put aside your personal dreams and voluntarily join the army to protect your country. You all are the pride of your families, of the Youth Union and of the city.” Many provinces and cities yesterday organised ceremonies to send off thousands of young men and women, who will serve in military units for two years. All ceremonies were held in line with COVID-19 prevention and control regulations. Leaders of the Ministry of National Defence attended the ceremonies in different localities to encourage the new soldiers. Hà Nội held ceremonies in 30 inner and suburban districts and communes the same day to send off 4,600 young people for military and public security service. Attending a ceremony in Ba Vì District, Chairman of Hà Nội’s People’s Committee Chu Ngọc Anh presented flowers and encouraged the new recruits. He proposed young people follow the path of the older generations to contribute to the glorious history and heroic traditions of the Vietnamese People’s Army and the Vietnamese Public Security. (By Viet Nam News) 6. At least 13 killed after tourist boat sinks off the coast of Vietnam, four people still missing At least 13 people have drowned and four others are missing after a tourist boat capsized on Saturday in bad weather off the coast of Hoi An, a world heritage-listed Vietnamese city, an official said. The accident occurred as the vessel carrying 39 local tourists and crew members was returning to Hoi An from Cu Lao Cham island — a popular spot for diving, snorkelling and water sports. Local Communist Party chief Nguyen Sinh confirmed 13 people drowned and four were missing.
(Authorities say a full investigation will be carried out into the accident)
Rescue efforts were suspended in the evening because of fading light, he said. “We cannot do anything further as it is too dark,” he said, adding a full investigation would be carried out and some survivors were receiving medical treatment. “We will resume the search at first light tomorrow morning for the other four people.” A local border guard said two children were among the missing. “Chances of them being found alive are small,” he said. There had been rough weather with strong winds and big waves in recent days, he said. Vietnam’s domestic tourism industry rebooted in early February, at the beginning of the Tet traditional lunar new year, after shutting down during strict coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions last year. Hoi An’s sandy beaches and beautiful architecture are a drawcard for both local and international travellers. (By ABC News Australia)(THE-END)