Vietnam, Malaysia Vow to Enhance Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Focus on Defense Cooperation

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung hosted a reception for visiting Malaysian Minister of Defense Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin in Hanoi on August 5, reiterating that Viet Nam attaches great importance to promoting the stable, sustainable, and long-term development of the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" between the two countries. The Prime Minister noted that the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during General Secretary To Lam's official visit to Malaysia in November 2024 was a historic milestone that opened up a new chapter in relations. Viet Nam highly values Malaysia's active and proactive participation and important contributions to promoting multilateral cooperation, particularly during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, which contributes to strengthening intra-ASEAN solidarity and enhancing the bloc's position and role on the international stage. He expressed his hope that Malaysia would continue to play an active role, together with Viet Nam and other ASEAN Member States, in advancing the goals of the ASEAN Community. The Prime Minister welcomed the positive results achieved in bilateral defense cooperation across various areas in recent years, reaffirming that the Vietnamese Government supports stronger defense cooperation between the two nations. He called on both sides to continue increasing delegation exchanges, effectively maintain mechanisms for dialogue, consultation and information sharing; promote effective cooperation between the armed services; and foster collaboration in defense industry, military medicine, search and rescue, and peacekeeping, as well as maritime security and safety. The Prime Minister also urged the maritime law-enforcement forces of the two countries to strengthen information exchanges, promptly assist each other's fishing vessels and fishermen facing hazards at sea in accordance with the fine relations between the two countries and the spirit of ASEAN solidarity. Viet Nam welcomes leaders of the Malaysian Ministry of Defense and Malaysian Armed Forces to attend the third Viet Nam International Defence Expo and encourages Malaysian defense enterprises to participate in the exhibition, Le said. Nordin, for his part, asserted that Viet Nam is a reliable friend of Malaysia. He underscored the importance of promoting the role of the armed forces and defense ministries in building trust and addressing emerging challenges, thereby contributing to maintaining a peaceful, stable and development-oriented environment in the region./.