The Vietnam International Defence Expo 2026 is scheduled to take place at Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi from December 10 to 13, 2026. The exhibition will cover nearly 150,000 square metres and feature a wide range of activities.

The event is expected to include an air display by the Air Force, martial arts demonstrations by special forces, and exhibitions from domestic and international defence and security companies. These will showcase newly developed and high-tech defence products researched and produced by Vietnam’s defence industry, as well as advanced weapons and equipment currently in service with the Vietnam People’s Army.

Organisers said the exhibits will reflect Vietnam’s defence policy of peace, self-defence and non-alignment with arms races, while emphasising the protection of national sovereignty, people and the country’s peaceful development environment.

The displayed products will include domestically designed, manufactured and dual-use technologies developed by Vietnam’s defence industry. Many of these are expected to meet the requirements of modern warfare and contribute to building a revolutionary, regular, elite and modern military.

Alongside defence displays, the expo will also serve as a platform to promote Vietnam’s image as a peaceful and friendly nation, while strengthening international defence cooperation.

A series of side events will be held during the expo, including business-to-business and government-to-business meetings, technical defence seminars, exhibitions on the integration of defence and economic development, public experience activities, and cultural performances showcasing Vietnamese heritage.

Speaking at the conference to launch the preparations, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, Deputy Minister of National Defence, stressed that the expo is an important part of Vietnam’s international integration and defence diplomacy, particularly in the field of defence industry cooperation.

He said the expo demonstrates Vietnam’s strategic vision and growing capability in developing a self-reliant and modern defence industry, and in strengthening confidence among domestic and international partners.

The Deputy Minister noted that the Ministry of National Defence aims to further socialise and professionalise the organisation of the event, gradually reducing reliance on state budget funding and mobilising resources from both domestic and international enterprises.

He called for stronger participation from businesses inside and outside the military sector, particularly large corporations, in supporting the success of the exhibition.

Reviewing previous editions held in 2022 and 2024, Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff and head of the expo organising committee, highlighted the strong support from ministries, agencies and the business community.

He said enterprises had not only provided financial assistance, but also contributed expertise, personnel, design ideas and communication solutions, all of which played an important role in the success of previous events.

The 2026 edition, he added, is expected to be larger in scale, deeper in content and more effective in promoting cooperation. It will attract more domestic and international partners, including major global defence and security corporations.

He stressed that businesses should approach the event with a stronger sense of responsibility and long-term vision.

“This is not merely a sponsorship activity, but an opportunity to demonstrate national pride and corporate responsibility in the cause of national defence and development,” he said, urging enterprises to align their contributions with their capacity, reputation and brand value.

The organising committee expressed confidence that preparations for the exhibition will lay a solid foundation for its success in 2026, reinforcing Vietnam’s position as an active and responsible partner in regional and global defence cooperation.

Vietnam International Defence Expo 2026 preparations move into high gear

The Vietnam International Defence Expo is not only a large-scale defence diplomacy event but also a milestone underscoring the prestige, organisational capability and international integration of the Vietnam People’s Army in a multilateral defence cooperation environment, Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang has said.