A Vietnamese delegation led by Defence Minister, Gen. Phung Quang Thanh is in Honolulu, Hawaii state, to attend the US – ASEAN defence forum, the first of its kind ever held in the US.

Defence Minister, Gen. Phung Quang Thanh (Source: VNA)

The April 1-3 forum serves as a venue for defence ministers to talk about a future of safety, dynamism and peace for the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia in particular, and ways to boost bilateral defence cooperation in rescue and post-disaster recovery.

Besides discussions, they will also tour several defence facilities in Honolulu.

In its statement on April 1, the Pentagon announced that the forum will start a 10-day visit to Japan, China and Mongolia by US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel. His fourth Asia visit is meant to reaffirm “Pivot toward Asia” policy by Barack Obama administration.

(Source: VNA)