The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence announced details of the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2026 at a press conference on October 20.

Major General Nguyen Xuan Thuy, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Training under the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army, said the exhibition would take place from December 10 to 13 at Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi, under the theme "Peace - Friendship - Cooperation for Mutual Development".

This will be the third time Vietnam has hosted the event, which aims to highlight progress in building a revolutionary, regular, elite and modern military, showcase the country's defence research and manufacturing capabilities, and strengthen defence and defence industry cooperation with foreign governments and businesses.

Major General Nguyen Duc Tang, Deputy Political Commissar of the General Department of Defence Industry, said the opening ceremony would run from 9am to 10.30am on December 10, featuring cultural performances, formal proceedings, demonstrations by special forces and a helicopter flypast by the Air Defence - Air Force Service.

General Secretary and President To Lam is expected to attend and deliver the opening address.

So far, 44 delegations from 30 countries have registered to visit Vietnam and attend the exhibition. They include guests invited by the Minister of National Defence, the Chairman of the General Department of Politics, the Chief of the General Staff, deputy defence ministers and other senior military officials.

According to Tang, the exhibition will cover approximately 123,800 square metres, an increase of around 23,800 square metres compared with the 2024 event.

The venue will include 45,000 square metres for parking, security screening, seminars, meeting rooms and information counters; approximately 2,700 square metres for reception facilities; 24,700 square metres for outdoor displays; and 23,500 square metres for indoor exhibits, including three aircraft hangars and additional temporary structures.

A total of 189 organisations and companies from 36 countries have registered to exhibit, booking 8,017 square metres of indoor space and 425 square metres outdoors.

Sixteen countries have registered national exhibition booths: the UK, Poland, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Iran, Italy, Myanmar, the US, Russia, Japan, France, Türkiye and Slovakia.

Tang said the strong international participation reflected growing interest among foreign partners in defence cooperation with Vietnam.

Domestic and international companies will display combat vehicles, technological solutions, weapons and equipment for naval, ground, air defence and air force operations, as well as cyber warfare and military logistics and technical support.

Vietnam will showcase weapons and equipment currently in service with its armed forces and public security forces.

The Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security will also introduce a range of weapons and military equipment not featured at previous exhibitions.

Among the highlights will be the T-1 tank and XTC-03 armoured personnel carrier, both developed and manufactured in Vietnam.

Tang said the exhibition would open to the general public on December 12 and 13, with no age restrictions. Visitors will only need to present a verified citizen identification card at security checkpoints.

At the 2024 exhibition, the Vietnamese military signed 16 contracts worth approximately US$286.3 million.

Tang said organisers were working with international partners on potential contracts and memoranda of understanding.

"We expect to sign numerous defence industry cooperation agreements with other countries and hope this year's contracts will surpass those secured in 2024," he said.

Major General Le Van Dang, Deputy Director of the Operations Department under the General Staff, said his department had prepared plans to maintain combat readiness and ensure security and safety throughout the event.

The Hanoi Capital Command is coordinating with the Hanoi Police to develop traffic management plans, including diversions well ahead of the venue, parking arrangements and measures to maintain traffic flow during the two public visiting days.

Depending on visitor numbers, organisers may recommend extending the exhibition, subject to approval from the Ministry of National Defence.

Exhibition programme

December 10 (8am - 5pm)

Opening ceremony.

Displays of weapons, military equipment, defence industry products and commercial products by participating agencies, military units and businesses.

Visits by domestic and international delegations, alongside cultural performances.

December 11 (9am - 5pm)

Displays of weapons, military equipment, defence industry products and commercial products.

Visits by domestic and international delegations, sporting exchanges and scientific seminars.

December 12 (9am - 5pm)

Exhibition opens to the general public.

December 13 (9am - 3pm)

Exhibition remains open to the general public.

Closing of the exhibition.

Tran Thuong