China, Vietnam to Hold Counter-Terror Drill in Hanoi
China's Ministry of National Defense announced the joint Cooperation-2026 exercise, the second of its kind between the two countries.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Terrorism
China and Vietnam will conduct a joint counter-terrorism exercise named Cooperation-2026 in Hanoi in early to mid-November 2026. The Chinese People's Armed Police Force and Vietnam's mobile police force under the Ministry of Public Security are conducting the exercise, which is themed around combating violent terrorist crimes.
Why it matters
The drill extends a counter-terrorism partnership that began with a 2024 exercise in Guangxi, aimed at addressing shared concerns over terrorist threats. Holding the 2026 exercise in Vietnam is intended to let personnel train in an environment closer to actual missions.
The 2024 exercise covered seven categories and 27 training subjects over two weeks, and included robotic dogs, biomimetic robotic birds, and wall-climbing robots. Details of the 2026 exercise's scale and categories have not been released.
The players
Chinese People's Armed Police Force
The Chinese People's Armed Police Force is a paramilitary force under China's Central Military Commission that handles internal security, counter-terrorism, and emergency response.
Ministry of Public Security (Vietnam)
Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security is the national agency responsible for law enforcement, internal security, and policing across the country.
The details
The 2026 exercise covers explosive ordnance detection and disposal, ground maneuvering, and assaults on high-rise buildings. The 2024 inaugural exercise used virtual reality and mixed reality technologies to simulate confrontation scenarios.
Timeline
July 27, 2024: Joint counter-terrorism training held in Nanning, Guangxi.
2024: Inaugural China-Vietnam joint counter-terrorism exercise held.
Monday, November 2, 2026: China's Ministry of National Defense announced the upcoming exercise.
Early to mid-November 2026: Cooperation-2026 exercise scheduled in Hanoi.
Big Picture
The 2026 drill follows the 2024 inaugural China-Vietnam exercise held in Guangxi, extending that bilateral counter-terrorism partnership into a second round hosted in Vietnam. Both sides have floated broader cooperation in unmanned equipment, intelligence sharing, and cross-border law enforcement.
For most readers the exercise has no direct effect, though it reflects deepening security cooperation between China and Vietnam. Any practical impact on regional travel or local security in Hanoi has not been reported.
The takeaway
Bilateral counter-terrorism drills like Cooperation-2026 show how neighboring governments are building shared capabilities, from explosive disposal to unmanned systems. Watch for official announcements that specify the exercise's dates and scope.
What happens next
The Cooperation-2026 exercise is scheduled to take place in Hanoi in early to mid-November 2026, with further details on its specific dates expected ahead of the drill.
Further reading
For broader background on how governments coordinate responses to armed threats, explore our Terrorism coverage.
