# Phan Văn Giang

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

## Early life and career

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

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

* Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of The 312th Division, The 1st Corps (Vietnam People's Army) (2000–03)
* Commander of the 312th Division, The 1st Corps (Vietnam People's Army) (2003–08)
* Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of The 1st Corps (Vietnam People's Army) (2008–10)
* Commander of the 1st Corps (Vietnam People's Army) (2010–11)
* Deputy Chief of General Staff (2011–14)
* Commander of 1st Military Region (Vietnam People's Army) (2014–16)
* Chief of the General Staff (2016–21)

## Honours
### Rank

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.

### Medals
#### National

| Military Exploit Order First class | Military Exploit Order Third class 1st award | Military Exploit Order Third class 2nd award | Feat Order First class |
| Feat Order Second class | Fatherland Defense Order First class | Fatherland Defense Order Third class 1st award | Fatherland Defense Order Third class 2nd award |
| Victory Banner Medal | Glorious Fighter Medal First class | Glorious Fighter Medal Second class | Glorious Fighter Medal Third class |
* 40 years of Party membership badge

#### Foreign

* Grand Officer of the Royal Order of Sahametrei (Cambodia, 2021)
* Order of Playa Girón (Cuba, 2022)
* First, Second and Third Class Medals of Freedom (Laos)
* Order of Friendship (Russia, 2021)