Vietnam and Myanmar have agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation, elevating the sector as a key pillar of bilateral relations as Vietnamese President To Lam hosted Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing in Hanoi.

The two sides agreed to expand military training, young-officer exchanges, search-and-rescue operations and disaster response, while strengthening information sharing and coordination to combat cross-border crime, according to a statement from the Vietnamese government.

According to Reuters, the talks marked Min Aung Hlaing’s first official visit to Vietnam since becoming Myanmar’s president, highlighting Hanoi’s efforts to maintain engagement with Myanmar amid the country’s prolonged political and security crisis.

Lam said Vietnam was ready to share its experience in national development, economic security and sustainable growth, while both sides reaffirmed that neither country would allow its territory to be used for activities directed against the other.

The leaders also agreed to strengthen political trust through more frequent high-level exchanges and make greater use of existing bilateral mechanisms. The agreement comes as Myanmar remains embroiled in armed conflict, with the military government facing resistance from ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces across large parts of the country.

Beyond security, Hanoi and Naypyidaw pledged to expand economic, trade and investment cooperation, identifying high-tech agriculture, food processing, telecommunications, information technology, digital transformation, energy and transport infrastructure as priority areas.

Myanmar’s interest in Vietnamese technology and industrial expertise was underscored on Friday when Min Aung Hlaing visited a VinFast electric-vehicle factory and the telecommunications group Viettel in northern Vietnam.

The two countries also pledged closer coordination through ASEAN and Mekong subregional frameworks, while reaffirming support for regional peace, stability and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.

The agreements signal Vietnam’s broader effort to strengthen practical ties with neighbouring Southeast Asian countries while maintaining its role in regional diplomacy, security and economic cooperation.

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