Vietnam’s Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang

Mr. Wallace said the UK shares Vietnam’s stance toward resolving issues in the South China Sea, called the East Sea in Vietnam. He stressed the importance of freedom of navigation and aviation, addressing conflicts peacefully, and respecting and abiding by international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The two leaders agreed to boost cooperation in delegation exchanges, policy dialogues, English training for Vietnamese officers, hydrometeorology, UN peacekeeping activities, and multilateral forums.

Minister Giang said Vietnam supports the UK’s participation in the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+) and welcomes the UK’s cooperation with ASEAN in military and defense. General Giang asked Mr. Wallace to help the Vietnamese Defense Ministry obtain COVID-19 vaccines.

Mr. Wallace is scheduled to meet Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and visit the Vietnam Academy of Diplomacy and the National Border Committee.