Philippine, Vietnam Armies explore points of convergence

By OACPA
April 11, 2025

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – Army Chief Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido committed to stronger ties between the Philippine Army and the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) and explored points of convergence towards enhancing both Armies' defense capabilities during his official visit to Vietnam from April 7 to April 10, 2025.

Lt. Gen. Galido rendered a courtesy call to Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, followed by a bilateral meeting with Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Nghia, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, at the Ministry of Defense Headquarters in Hanoi.

Lt. Gen. Galido also observed a capability demonstration at the VPA's Special Forces Academy and toured the Viettel High Tech Company, a leading technology provider which plays a key role in enhancing Vietnam's military technology and defense capabilities.

The Army Chief's official visit aims to foster camaraderie and strengthen bilateral engagements between the two armies, building upon the foundation established by the 2015 Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the bilateral meeting between Lt. Gen. Galido and the VPA top brass provided a venue for professional discussions on topics of mutual interest, including the exchange of experience, knowledge, and information, as well as identifying opportunities for capability development for both organizations, potentially leading to the establishment of formal Terms of Reference in the future.