The Australian Defence College welcomed the VIP visit by General Phung Quang Thanh, Minister of National Defence Vietnam, on Tuesday 19 March 2013.

General Thanh was in Australia for the inaugural Defence Minister talks with Minister Smith. The visit to the Australian Defence College provided him with the opportunity to meet with the Vietnamese course members currently studying at Australian Defence Force Academy, Australian Command and Staff College and Defence and Strategic Studies Course.

The General was formally welcomed by Vice Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin, and Commander of the Australian Defence College, Major General Craig Orme. A highlight of the visit was the General’s salute from the Australian Federation Guard. This is the first time an Honour Guard has been held at the Australian Defence College and the event was very well received by all in attendance.

Major General Craig Orme gave an informative presentation to the delegation and also thanked General Thanh for the continued high standard of Vietnamese students that come to study in the various learning centres under the Australian Defence College. Senior Colonel Nguyen Quang Vinh who was part of the delegation and the English interpreter for the General, was a 2011 graduate of the Defence and Strategic Studies Course.