From the beginning to the present

Entering the indoor exhibition area of ​​the Ministry of National Defense , everyone feels like watching a fast-forward “film” introducing historical milestones recreating the journey of formation, construction and development of the Vietnam People’s Army associated with historical events of the country. At the same time, this process is also the path of formation, construction and development of the domestic defense industry. In an area of ​​over 700m2 divided into many small areas, visitors can learn about the primitive, homemade weapons that our people used in the General Uprising to seize power (August 1945), the bayonets of self-defense soldiers in the early days of the national resistance war in the suburbs of Hanoi (1946), machine guns captured from the enemy in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign (1954) to new generation weapons and technical equipment (VKTBKT) product groups, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), missile complex models, high-tech products, artificial intelligence (AI), cyber warfare equipment...

People visit and learn about the multi-purpose long-range unmanned aircraft (VU-MALE) researched and manufactured by the Military Industry and Telecommunications Group ( Viettel ), located at the outdoor exhibition area of ​​the Ministry of National Defense. Photo: TUAN HUY
People and tourists visit the equipment in the outdoor exhibition area of ​​the Ministry of National Defense. Photo: TUAN HUY

Directly visiting and experiencing the mapping of the "Dien Bien Phu in the air" battle to protect Hanoi in December 1972, veteran Ta Duy Duong (Vu Phuc ward, Hung Yen province), who participated in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign in the attacking formation of Division 304 (now Military Region 2), emotionally shared: "On the day we went to battle, the weapons were mostly rifles and submachine guns modified from captured enemy weapons or manufactured in rudimentary military workshops. Looking back on today's journey, seeing that our Army has mastered the technology to manufacture modern weapons, I am extremely proud. The artifacts at the exhibition not only remind us of the arduous past but also affirm that we are on the right track in building a strong and self-reliant national defense."

At the same time, the outdoor exhibition area of ​​the Ministry of National Defense with an area of ​​over 23,000m2 is truly a highlight of the exhibition, featuring the main blue welcome gate - symbolizing the Vietnam People's Army, along with the central roundabout design simulating the Hanoi Flagpole (flagship). Surrounding it is a diverse display space of typical types of military equipment and technology researched and manufactured by Vietnam and military equipment and technology in service with the Army such as: Heavy self-propelled ground artillery, armored infantry fighting vehicles, anti-aircraft artillery, air defense and maritime surveillance radar systems, long-range multi-purpose UAVs (VU-MALE), anti-UAV systems for modern combat, secure communication systems, S-125-VT missile complex, Truong Son missile complex... thereby reflecting the capacity of the defense industry and the strength to protect the Fatherland in the new era.

While carefully studying the 152mm wheeled self-propelled artillery researched and modernized by Vietnam and appearing in public for the first time, Nguyen Huu Viet, a student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, could not help but be impressed by the achievements that come from the intelligence and hands of the soldier workers. Viet shared: “Previously, I only saw these images on television or in books and newspapers. Coming to the exhibition directly, I feel more and more the strength of the national defense industry. This is not only military strength but also demonstrates the intelligence and will to rise of the nation. Our young generation has more confidence and motivation to study, contributing to building a strong country.”

Building on the experience from the success of the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition in 2022 and 2024, the General Department of Defense Industry - the standing agency of the Ministry of National Defense's Exhibition Steering Committee at the National Achievements Exhibition and agencies and units have actively advised and proposed the content and display plan; built an indoor display area and arranged, organized and decorated the outdoor display area scientifically and effectively. Thereby creating the most convenience for people and tourists to visit and learn. Thanks to that, passing through the exhibition space of the Ministry of National Defense, everyone carries pride and confidence in the development of the country in general, and at the same time sees that the defense industry not only contributes to building a "steel shield" to protect the Fatherland but also demonstrates the aspiration to master science and technology, bringing the country to new heights.

Asserting position

The defense industry is a part of the national defense and security potential, playing a very important role in carrying out the task of protecting the Fatherland from early on and from afar. In recent times, building and developing the defense industry has been a strategic policy, always receiving the attention, leadership and direction of the Party, the State, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defense.

Teachers and students of Tia Nang Mai Kindergarten (Dong Anh, Hanoi) visit military equipment in the outdoor exhibition area of ​​the Ministry of National Defense. Photo: TRONG HAI
Veterans visit advanced products of Vietnam's defense industry at the Ministry of National Defense's indoor exhibition area. Photo: VIET TRUNG

Up to now, the defense industry has basically met the needs of the armed forces. Accordingly, it has researched, developed and produced many types of new and modern weapons and equipment with high tactical and technical features, equivalent to those of countries with developed defense industries in the world, such as: New generation infantry weapons; some types of powerful controlled firepower weapons, equipped with high technology, armored vehicles, unmanned equipment...; has enough capacity to build and repair military ships, support ships for forces performing tasks at sea, including modern missile ships and artillery ships; major repairs, increasing the total life of modern combat aircraft; successfully manufactured and put into use many types of radars, unmanned vehicles for reconnaissance and combat; personal equipment to suppress unmanned aerial vehicles; reconnaissance and ground combat robots... In particular, the defense industry has mastered many basic and core technologies, producing a number of modern strategic weapons with automatic control capabilities, large range and destructive power; researching and manufacturing propellants and powerful explosives that very few countries in the world have mastered the production technology for.

In the coming years, peace, cooperation and development will remain the major trend, but the world and regional situation will continue to evolve in a complex and unpredictable manner; the Fourth Industrial Revolution will have a profound impact on science, technology and military technology, posing new and urgent requirements for national defense and security of countries, including Vietnam. Lieutenant General Ho Quang Tuan, Director of the General Department of Defense Industry, emphasized: In order to meet the requirements of building a revolutionary, disciplined, elite and modern army, contributing to bringing the country steadily into a new era - the era of national development, the defense industry will continue to promote the development of dual-use, modern defense industry, closely linked and becoming the spearhead of national industry; focusing on research and mastering basic and core technologies, creating a solid foundation for autonomous design, manufacture and production of strategic and modern weapons and equipment.

Thai Ha

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    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/80-nam-trien-lam-thanh-tuu-dat-nuoc-hanh-trinh-doc-lap-tu-do-hanh-phuc/tu-hao-cong-nghiep-quoc-phong-viet-nam-844181