Jakarta, September 9, 2025 – The Europe Today: A delegation of the Vietnam Air Defence–Air Force, led by Commander Maj. Gen. Vũ Hồng Sơn, attended the 22nd ASEAN Air Chiefs Conference (AACC) in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Monday.
This year’s conference, which focused on civil evacuation operations in Southeast Asia, addressed pressing contemporary challenges while reflecting strategic foresight, long-term vision, and strong humanitarian values.
Maj. Gen. Sơn stated that Vietnam’s participation reaffirms its consistent peace and defence policies and underscores the country’s proactive and responsible role in regional defence and security cooperation. The conference, he noted, provides an important platform for ASEAN air forces to strengthen exchanges, build trust, and enhance coordination, particularly in joint humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and civilian evacuation operations.
Vietnam’s involvement marks another important step in advancing regional defence collaboration and enhancing its international standing. Since first joining the AACC in 2007, Vietnam has actively contributed to discussions and has twice hosted the event, in 2010 and 2020.
At this year’s session, Vietnam reaffirmed its clear stance on promoting peace, stability, respect for international law, and humanitarian values through defence cooperation. The country also emphasised the need for effective coordination mechanisms and closer linkages in disaster relief, evacuation, and responses to non-traditional security challenges, Maj. Gen. Sơn added.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Vietnamese delegation held bilateral and multilateral meetings with ASEAN air force commanders to further strengthen defence ties. The delegation also used the opportunity to highlight the professionalism and responsibility of the Vietnam People’s Army, particularly the Air Defence–Air Force, in contributing to regional security and safety.
First convened in Thailand in 2004, the ASEAN Air Chiefs Conference is held annually on a rotational basis among ASEAN member states.
