# Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia defense cooperation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-laos-cambodia-defense-cooperation
> Updated: 2026-10-13T04:32:12.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 2.

Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia have continued to strengthen defense cooperation through high-level diplomatic engagements and joint military activities. Following the commencement of a joint civil defense exercise focused on super typhoon mitigation, the defense ministers of the three nations held their 10th annual trilateral meeting in Hanoi, which coincided with the 5th joint civil defense exercise.

During these meetings, Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam received delegations from Laos and Cambodia, including Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Khamlieng Outhakaysone and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Tea Seiha. President To Lam advocated for closer defense ties and urged enhanced coordination and information sharing regarding border protection.

Beyond military cooperation, the leaders emphasized border management and political stability. In a parallel meeting, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met with Lao official Vilay Lakhamphong to discuss converting strategic cohesion into practical economic projects and infrastructure connectivity. These discussions underscore a shared commitment to regional stability and bilateral development across the three nations.

## Claims

- The armies of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia conducted a joint civil defense exercise in 2026. (disputed by 2 sources)
- Vietnam and Laos have established a defense cooperation plan for the year 2027. (disputed)
- Participating units in the joint exercise included combat engineers, chemical defense troops, and military medical personnel. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Khamlieng Outhakaisone conducted an official visit to Vietnam. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Tea Seiha participated in the defense meetings in Vietnam. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Vietnam and Cambodia aim to strengthen defense cooperation and bilateral ties. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A high-level Lao Party delegation, led by Keovisouk Solaphom, visited Vietnam to exchange expertise on party building and political systems. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Vilay Lakhamfong, a member of the Politburo and Standing Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, is visiting Vietnam from October 14 to 16. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- President To Lam met with 170 representative business delegates in Hanoi to mark Vietnam Businessmen's Day. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Vietnam's Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang, attended and directed the joint exercise. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The joint civil defense exercise was held at Brigade 249 of the Corps of Engineers. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The joint exercise theme focused on coordinating responses to mitigate the consequences of a super typhoon. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-13: Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia defense ministers hold trilateral meeting in Hanoi

Defense ministers from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia met in Hanoi for trilateral talks and a joint civil defense exercise to strengthen regional security and border cooperation.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lao-defense-minister-conducts-official-visit-to-vietnam

### 2026-10-12: Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia launch joint civil defense exercise

Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia have launched a joint civil defense exercise to improve disaster response and typhoon mitigation, led by defense ministers from all three nations.

27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/president-t-lm-attends-80th-anniversary-of-military-region-2

---
Cite as: Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia defense cooperation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-laos-cambodia-defense-cooperation