https://www.scmp.com/rss/524638/feed The latest news and top stories on Phan Van Giang. Known for his extensive military career beginning in 1978, he holds a doctoral degree in military sciences. He has served as Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence before his current role. His responsibilities include overseeing Vietnam’s defence strategy, promoting international cooperation and defence diplomacy, and ensuring combat readiness. He is a member of the Political Bureau and... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Vietnamese budget carrier VietJet Air has agreed to lease as many as 10 Chinese-made C909 regional passenger jets, giving a lift to their manufacturer’s goal of vying with Airbus and Boeing in overseas civil aviation. VietJet said in a statement on Thursday night it had agreed with SPDB Financial Leasing, a subsidiary of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank in China, to finance the aircraft through operating leases. Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) makes the jets that are the subject... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350431/vietnamese-airline-lease-10-c909-jets-boost-chinese-aircraft-maker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350431/vietnamese-airline-lease-10-c909-jets-boost-chinese-aircraft-maker?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:00:31 +0000 Reuters Reuters The United States wants deeper military ties with Vietnam, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday at the start of a visit to Hanoi amid prolonged talks for the potential supply of military equipment to Washington’s former foe. Hegseth was expected to meet Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam, President Luong Cuong and Defence Minister Phan Van Giang, a Vietnamese official briefed on the visit said. “Deeper [military] cooperation will benefit both of our countries,” Hegseth, who... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3331229/pentagon-chief-hegseth-wants-closer-vietnam-ties-amid-arms-dealings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3331229/pentagon-chief-hegseth-wants-closer-vietnam-ties-amid-arms-dealings?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Nov 2025 09:49:33 +0000 Khanh Vu Duc Khanh Vu Duc When Vietnam’s top delegation landed in Pyongyang with seven Politburo members – half the ruling body’s total membership – accompanying General Secretary To Lam, the symbolism could not be clearer. The Vietnamese leadership was not merely extending a hand of friendship; it was making a high-stakes gamble for political survival. According to official reports, Vietnam and North Korea signed five bilateral cooperation documents covering defence, diplomacy, healthcare, trade and information. On the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3329330/vietnams-defence-pact-north-korea-step-back-shadows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3329330/vietnams-defence-pact-north-korea-step-back-shadows?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Oct 2025 21:30:08 +0000 Dewey Sim,Zhao Ziwen Dewey Sim,Zhao Ziwen China’s defence minister summoned familiar talking points as he took aim at Western nations during a security conference on Thursday, urging nations to stand up against “bullying” and describing military alliances as groups with “selfish interests”. Dong Jun did not name any country but his calls appeared to resonate with defence chiefs from Southeast Asia, as they took turns criticising unilateral action, including tariffs, and calling for greater efforts to advance multilateralism. Dong... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3325991/chinas-defence-minister-warns-against-western-bullying-rallies-regional-allies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3325991/chinas-defence-minister-warns-against-western-bullying-rallies-regional-allies?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:14:41 +0000