General Phung Quang Thanh, former member of the Politburo and former Minister of National Defence, passed away after a period of illness at 3:45 am September 11 at his private home in Hanoi.

 Minister of National Defence General Phung Quang Thanh and his Chinese counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chang Wanquan candidly discussed the sea dispute that has affected relations between Vietnam and China during their talks in Hanoi on March 27.

 The Vietnam People’s Army will work hard to preserve, cement and develop the solidarity between Vietnam and Cambodia, Minister of Defence General Phung Quang Thanh said.

 Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh has affirmed Vietnam’s defence policy of peace, self-defence, and neither joining any military alliances nor allowing any countries to set up their military bases or use its territory to counter the others.

 Minister of National Defence Gen. Phung Quang Thanh has thanked the US for its double increase of funding for post-war bomb and mine clearance, saying that this will help Vietnam deal with the war aftermath and bring a peaceful life for the people.

 Vietnamese Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh and his Lao counterpart Sengnoune Sayalath signed a protocol and plan on bilateral cooperation for 2015 in Hanoi on January 20.

Vietnam is preparing to publish a White Paper showing a policy of peace, independence, and transparency in military construction, said Minister of Defense Phung Quang Thanh on December 2.

Army staff chief meets Chinese provincial commander; NA adopts laws on people’s police, occupational education; Defence Minister welcomes Ukrainian veterans, RoK Ambassador; IPU leader oversees Vietnam’s IPU-132 preparations

 Minister of Defence General Phung Quang Thanh hosted a reception for ASEAN army chiefs in Hanoi on November 26.

 Delegates to the 13th Shangri-La Dialogue have welcomed Vietnam’s stance on settling the East Sea issue by peaceful means in line with international law, said Defence Minister, General Phung Quang Thanh.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Minister of Defense Phung Quang Thanh said that his American counterpart Chuck Hagel would visit Vietnam in November in response to his visit to Hawaii earlier this year.

 Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh has demanded China immediately remove its oil rig out of Vietnam’s waters and sit down for negotiations to maintain peace, stability and friendship between the two nations.

 The Vietnamese delegation has held several meetings with foreign partners on the sidelines of the 13th IISS Asia Security Summit, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, after their arrival in Singapore on May 30.

 Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh has reiterated Vietnam’s policy of protecting national sovereignty by peaceful measures with respect to international law, to maintain peace, stability, security and safety of navigation in the East Sea.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The U.S. Department of Defense website reported that Pentagon leader – Mr. Chuck Hagel - had accepted the invitation of the Minister of Defense Phung Quang Thanh to visit Vietnam next year.

Vietnam’s orders for Kilo submarines, Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 fighter aircraft, Svetlyak class high-speed patrol boats and Gepard frigates from Russia are considered not only purely commercial military operations.

 VietNamNet Bridge - General Vo Nguyen Giap is now under the care of doctors at the Military Hospital 108. As being reported by the hospital, the health of the general has remained stable.

 VietNamNet Bridge – In a recent meeting with voters of Phu Cu district in Hung Yen province, Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh said that to modernize the army, Vietnam has ordered six submarines.

VietNamNet Bridge – Minister of National Defence General Phung Quang Thanh is leading a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 7th ASEAN Defence Ministerial Meeting, which is slated to take place in Brunei from May 6-8.