In a significant development, Chinese defense firms will be participating in Vietnam’s international defense exposition in Hanoi from December 19-22. This marks the first time Chinese military equipment will be showcased at the event, following their absence from Vietnam’s inaugural defense expo in 2022. China’s participation signals a potential deepening of defense ties between the two nations, despite a complex history characterized by maritime disputes and past conflicts.
Vietnam has long relied on Russian military hardware but is now actively pursuing a strategy to diversify its defense partnerships. The inclusion of Chinese exhibitors reflects Vietnam’s pragmatic approach to maintaining strategic autonomy while navigating regional power dynamics. Recent agreements between Vietnam and China, including a letter of intent to enhance defense cooperation in areas such as border security, logistics, and training, have paved the way for this engagement. Analysts suggest that any defense cooperation between the two countries is likely to focus on non-combat capabilities, such as logistics and military medicine, given Vietnam’s strategic concerns over potential over-reliance on China.
The Vietnamese and Chinese militaries have also maintained high-level exchanges and conducted joint coast guard patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin. While tensions persist over overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea, the two countries continue to foster economic and security cooperation. Vietnam’s decision to welcome Chinese participation at its defense expo reflects a calculated effort to balance competition and cooperation.
