Sweden has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Stefan Ungerth as its new Defence Attaché to Vietnam, continuing the country’s defence representation and cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, received Lt. Col. Ungerth and the outgoing Swedish Defence Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Anders Nikanorsson, at the Ministry of National Defence headquarters in Hanoi on 28 July.
During the meeting, General Thang thanked Lt. Col. Nikanorsson for his contribution to strengthening defence relations during his term and welcomed Lt. Col. Ungerth to his new assignment.
The Deputy Minister also invited Sweden’s Ministry of Defence and the Swedish Armed Forces to participate in the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2026, reflecting the growing level of military cooperation between the two countries.
Sweden has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Stefan Ungerth as its new Defence Attaché to Vietnam, continuing the country’s defence representation and cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, received Lt. Col. Ungerth and the outgoing Swedish Defence Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Anders Nikanorsson, at the Ministry of National Defence headquarters in Hanoi on 28 July.
During the meeting, General Thang thanked Lt. Col. Nikanorsson for his contribution to strengthening defence relations during his term and welcomed Lt. Col. Ungerth to his new assignment.
The Deputy Minister also invited Sweden’s Ministry of Defence and the Swedish Armed Forces to participate in the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2026, reflecting the growing level of military cooperation between the two countries.
Sweden and Vietnam have steadily expanded their defence relationship in recent years through exchanges of military delegations, defence policy dialogue, military medicine, education and training, peacekeeping cooperation and defence industry contacts.
The appointment comes as Sweden increases its engagement across Southeast Asia following its accession to NATO. Earlier this month, Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson visited the Philippines, where Sweden acceded to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and reaffirmed its intention to deepen cooperation with ASEAN member states on defence and regional security.
Vietnam has become an increasingly important partner for Sweden in the region. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1969, when Sweden became the first Western nation to recognise North Vietnam, and their relationship has since expanded from development cooperation into trade, innovation, defence and security.
For Sweden, the appointment of a new Defence Attaché ensures continued military representation in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies and underlines Stockholm’s broader strategy of strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
The appointment also comes as Sweden continues to strengthen its engagement in Southeast Asia. Earlier this month, Defence Minister Pål Jonson visited the Philippines, where Sweden formally acceded to ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), underlining Stockholm’s intention to deepen cooperation with the region on defence and security issues.
Sweden and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1969, when Sweden became the first Western country to recognise North Vietnam. Their relationship has since evolved from development assistance into cooperation in trade, innovation, science, education and, increasingly, defence and security.
The appointment ensures Sweden maintains its military representation in Vietnam as the two countries continue to broaden their defence cooperation alongside their wider bilateral relationship..
