On the opening day of the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024, attendees had the unique opportunity to handle and test firearms in a scoring system. The exhibition, held at Gia Lam Airport, attracted thousands of delegates and guests eager to explore military equipment, weaponry, and advanced technologies.
The exhibition spans over 100,000 square meters, including 15,000 square meters of indoor displays—double the space of the 2022 event - and 20,000 square meters outdoors. Participating nations and companies showcased a wide array of military hardware, including advanced artillery, UAVs, and innovative firearms.
Over 200 companies and organizations from 30 countries, including military powers like the United States, China, Russia, and France, displayed their technologies. Notable exhibits included Turkey's TRG-300 missile with a range of 120 km and Vietnam's Z113 UAV, capable of carrying bombs or assisting in rescue operations in difficult terrain.
A popular attraction was the opportunity for visitors to test electronic shooting systems under expert guidance. Many attendees expressed enthusiasm about handling state-of-the-art weapons, such as Vietnam’s infantry rifles and the Czech Republic’s CZ Bren 2 assault rifle.
The event also featured first-aid training sessions, led by the American Heart Association’s training branch in Vietnam, aimed at promoting safety and emergency preparedness.

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The 2024 International Defense Exhibition commenced with a grand opening ceremony. By the early afternoon of December 19, thousands of delegates and guests dispersed across Gia Lam Airport - the event venue - to view military equipment, weapons, and other advanced defense technologies.

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The exhibition spans over 100,000 square meters, including an indoor area of 15,000 square meters (twice the size of the 2022 event) and an outdoor area of approximately 20,000 square meters. Pictured is a 155mm light self-propelled howitzer, a weapon capable of striking distant targets regardless of terrain and obstacles, offering high mobility and transportability via road, sea, or air.

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The event brought together over 200 organizations and enterprises from more than 30 countries across ASEAN, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, including military powerhouses such as the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, India, and Israel. 

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In the photo is the TRG-300 missile, with a maximum range of 120 kilometers, manufactured by Turkey’s ROKETSAN corporation.

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Each nation's booth featured distinct displays and activities. In one photo, Swedish promotional representatives posed with guests and firearms. 

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Turkish enterprises showcased an array of weapons, including SAR9 pistols weighing between 600g and 700g, designed for precise targeting under challenging conditions.

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The Russian Ministry of Defense shared research achievements and experiences in weapon production and usage. Their booth displayed 30mm remote-controlled ammunition with high destructive power, previously little known.

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Vietnamese defense enterprises also presented an impressive array of products, captivating visitors. Among them was the Z113 UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), capable of carrying and releasing a bomb module for localized damage or eliminating targets. The UAV also supports rescue missions in hard-to-access areas, such as forests or cliffs.

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Visitors showed great enthusiasm for handling or test-firing weapons without live ammunition. 

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A photo captures a Vietnamese booth showcasing infantry firearms, including pistols, submachine guns, light machine guns, heavy machine guns, and sniper rifles with calibers ranging from 5.56mm to 12.7mm. 

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Another guest is seen trying a 7.62mm SN7TD pistol.

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At another booth, attendees tried out electronic target-scoring systems under the guidance of technical staff.

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One guest tested the CZ Bren 2 assault rifle, equipped with a 16-inch barrel. Made of aluminum alloy, polymer components, and a foldable stock, the CZ Bren 2 is an upgraded version of the CZ 805 series, which has been in service with the Czech Republic Armed Forces since 2010.

Exhibition visitors also had the opportunity to participate in basic first-aid training sessions conducted by a professional unit - the Vietnam branch of the American Heart Association's training division - aimed at proactive safety and emergency preparedness.

Hoang Ha