At a conference held in Hanoi on February 10, the ministry said it will also better perform its advisory role and make strategic forecasts about external military affairs, national defence and security for the Party and State.

It will try to successfully host ASEAN defence-military meetings, and expand strategic dialogues on national defence bilaterally and multilaterally to keep pace with the State’s multilateral diplomatic relations.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Defence Minister, said in 2009 his ministry strictly carried out resolutions and directives on external military affairs adopted by the Party Central Committee and the Military Party Committee, with close collaboration with the Party Commission for External Relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other organisations. 

All the activities were carried out bilaterally and multilaterally, bringing about good results and making a practical contribution to promoting friendship with foreign countries and international organisations, and elevating the status of Vietnam and its army in the international community.