The delegation attended the opening ceremony of the event, chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on April 20.
DSA 2026 brings together around 50,000 trade visitors, 600 civil delegations, and high-level representatives from ministries of defence and armed forces from 60 countries; among them, 38 countries are participating in exhibitions, along with approximately 1,400 leading global defence industry companies and corporations.
This year’s exhibition features 15 thematic categories, highlighting modern military products such as aircraft, warships, armoured vehicles, low-range shoulder-fired missiles, anti-aircraft gun systems, laser weapons, as well as various types of ammunition, military uniforms and defence equipment. Key technology areas include electronic warfare, cyber security, artificial intelligence, multi-domain operations, robotics and unmanned systems, and military medicine.
The participation of Viet Nam’s Ministry of National Defence in the exhibition demonstrates its interest in international cooperation in the defence industry; affirming that the Government and the Ministry of National Defence of Viet Nam consistently create favourable conditions to enhance exchanges and international cooperation in the defence industry based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and respect for Viet Nam’s laws and other international commitments.
On the morning of April 20, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang held bilateral meetings with heads of delegations from several countries; the high-level delegation of Viet Nam’s Ministry of National Defence also visited exhibition booths to promote exchanges and explore potential cooperation in line with each side’s capabilities, as well as to strengthen defence industry cooperation between Viet Nam and other countries in the time ahead.
Within the framework of the visit, working trip and attendance at the 19th DSA in Malaysia, on the afternoon of April 20, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang met with Adly Bin Zahari, Deputy Minister of Defence of Malaysia.
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang and the Malaysian Deputy Minister of Defence agreed to prioritise promoting increasingly comprehensive and substantive bilateral defence cooperation, focusing on such areas as delegation exchanges, contacts at all levels, particularly high-level visits, and coordination in implementing the defence policy dialogue mechanism.
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang expressed his wish for the Malaysian Ministry of Defence to support the promotion of the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two Governments on law enforcement cooperation and search and rescue at sea, the early conclusion of an agreement on establishing a joint maritime patrol mechanism and a communication channel between the navies of the two countries; as well as coordination in information sharing, law enforcement, assistance to each other’s fishing vessels and fishermen in distress at sea, and humane treatment of fishing vessels and fishermen; and mutual support at multilateral forums and mechanisms.
Sharing the views raised by Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, Adly Bin Zahari stated that Malaysia wishes to promote bilateral defence cooperation with Viet Nam, expressing confidence that the relationship between the two ministries of defence will continue to develop for the benefit of each country, as well as for peace, stability and common development in the region and the world.
On this occasion, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang respectfully invited the Deputy Minister, leaders of the Malaysian Ministry of Defence, armed forces and defence enterprises to attend and showcase products at the third Viet Nam International Defence Expo in Ha Noi in December 2026.
