Phan Văn Giang ([fāːn˧ vān˧ zāːŋ˧]; born October 1960) is a Vietnamese General, politician and Vietnam's Minister of National Defence. He[1] joined the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 2016.

Phan Văn Giang
Giang in 2024
12th Minister of Defence
Assumed office
8 April 2021
PresidentNguyễn Xuân Phúc
Võ Văn Thưởng
Tô Lâm
Lương Cường
Prime MinisterPhạm Minh Chính
Preceded byNgô Xuân Lịch
Chief of the General Staff
In office
17 May 2016 – 31 May 2021
PresidentTrần Đại Quang
Nguyễn Phú Trọng
Nguyễn Xuân Phúc
Preceded byĐỗ Bá Tỵ
Succeeded byNguyễn Tân Cương
Personal details
BornOctober 14, 1960
Nam Định province, North Vietnam
EducationBachelor's degree in tank and armored command and staff
Alma materTank and Armor Officer University school (TGH)
National Defense Academy
Military service
Allegiance Vietnam
Branch/service Vietnam People's Army
Years of service1978–present
RankArmy general
CommandsChief of General Staff
1st Military Region (Vietnam People's Army)
Deputy Chief of General Staff
Commander of 1st Corps (Vietnam People's Army)
Deputy Commander cum Chief of Staff of 1st Corps (Vietnam People's Army)
Battles/warsSino-Vietnamese War, Vietnam War

Early life and career

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Phan Văn Giang was born in October 14, 1960 in Hồng Quang Commune, Nam Trực district, Nam Định province but his hometown is from Thai Nguyen province.

Giang began his military career in August 1978, initially serving as an information soldier in Battalion 4, Regiment 677, Division 346. His skills were put to the test during the border conflict in February 1979, where he fought at high point 893 Pát village, Cao Chương commune, Trà Lĩnh District, Cao Bằng Province. In November 1979, he was selected to study at the Tank and Armor Officer University to specialize in tank and armor command. He was admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam in December 1982. Graduating with a Bachelor's degree in tank and armored command and staff from the Tank and Armor Officer University in September 1983, Giang was promptly promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to Division 312, Army Corps 1. Over the years, he assumed various leadership roles within the division, including Platoon Leader and Deputy Commander, while also pursuing advanced training at the National Defense Academy, where he earned a doctorate in military science.

High posts

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Giang with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in December 2021

His rise through the ranks continued with appointments such as Deputy Chief of Staff, Division Commander, and Secretary of the Party Committee. Notably, he was promoted to Major General in August 2010 and later to Lieutenant General in September 2013. Giang's leadership was further recognized when he was elected to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam in January 2016. Subsequently, he assumed roles such as Deputy Minister of National Defense and Chief of General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. In April 2021, he was appointed Minister of National Defense. Beyond his military and political roles, Giang has also been involved in national committees, including leadership positions in COVID-19 prevention and control efforts.

Commands

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Honours

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Rank

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Phan Văn Giang was promoted to Major General (Thiếu Tướng) in 2009, Lieutenant General (Trung Tướng) in 2013, Colonel General (Thượng Tướng) in 2017, and Army General in 2021.[4]

Medals

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National

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Military Exploit Order
First class[5]
Military Exploit Order
Third class
1st award[5]
Military Exploit Order
Third class
2nd award[5]
Feat Order
First class[5]
Feat Order
Second class[5]
Fatherland Defense Order
First class[6]
Fatherland Defense Order
Third class
1st award[5]
Fatherland Defense Order
Third class
2nd award[5]
Victory Banner Medal[5] Glorious Fighter Medal
First class[5]
Glorious Fighter Medal
Second class[5]
Glorious Fighter Medal
Third class[5]
  • 40 years of Party membership badge[7]

Foreign

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  •   First, Second and Third Class Medals of Freedom (Laos)[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Thủ tướng bổ nhiệm Trung tướng Phan Văn Giang làm Thứ trưởng Bộ Q". congly.vn. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  2. ^ "Bổ nhiệm hai Phó Tổng tham mưu trưởng Quân đội". vietnamnet.vn. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  3. ^ "General Phan Van Giang became the Chief of the General Staff". Military Institute of Traditional Medicine.
  4. ^ "Chủ tịch nước thăng quân hàm cấp tướng cho ba sĩ quan cao cấp". VnExpress. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Tiểu Sử Tóm Tắt Thượng Tướng Phan Văn Giang, Bộ Trưởng Bộ Quốc Phòng". Đại biểu Nhân dân (in Vietnamese). 2021-04-08. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  6. ^ "Chủ tịch nước tuyên dương chiến sĩ mũ nồi xanh Việt Nam". Báo Người Lao Động (in Vietnamese). 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  7. ^ "Trao Huy hiệu 40 năm tuổi Đảng tặng các đồng chí lãnh đạo Bộ Quốc phòng". Báo Quân đội nhân dân (in Vietnamese). 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  8. ^ "Defence ministry honoured with Cambodia's Royal Order". Nhân Dân. 2021-12-31. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  9. ^ "Vietnamese army officer honoured with Cuban orders". Voice of Vietnam. 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  10. ^ "Russia's friendship order conferred on Vietnamese diplomat, military officials". Vietnam+. 2021-03-30. Retrieved 2024-11-17.