Enhancing the capacity to respond to weapons of mass destruction proliferation incidents
Unofficial translation from the Vietnamese original.
On the afternoon of 10 September 2026, the exercise on responding to a weapons of mass destruction proliferation incident for Standing Office 81 (DT81-26) was held at the combined training ground of the 86th Brigade, Chemical Corps.
The exercise was based on a hypothetical scenario involving many complex elements and requiring the participation and coordination of numerous agencies and forces, under the theme “Standing Office 81 operates the inter-agency mechanism to respond to a weapons of mass destruction proliferation incident, combined with the response to a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incident”.
The exercise on responding to a weapons of mass destruction proliferation incident for Standing Office 81 (DT81-26) at the combined training ground of the 86th Brigade, Chemical Corps
Attending and observing the exercise were Major General Nguyen Ngoc Ha, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for National Defence, Security and Foreign Affairs; Major General Nguyen Dinh Hien, Standing Deputy Head of the National Focal Point of Vietnam for countering the proliferation of WMD and Commander of the Chemical Corps; Major General Trinh Thanh Dong, Party Committee Secretary and Political Commissar of the Chemical Corps; and delegates from the competent agencies of the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance and localities in Hanoi.
Major General Nguyen Ngoc Ha, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for National Defence, Security and Foreign Affairs
Major General Nguyen Dinh Hien, Standing Deputy Head of the National Focal Point of Vietnam for countering the proliferation of WMD and Commander of the Chemical Corps
In the exercise scenario, during a post-clearance audit, the Customs authority detected that an enterprise had imported controlled dual-use goods showing numerous irregularities. On the basis of the information shared, Standing Office 81 compiled the information, assessed the risks and advised on activating the inter-agency coordination mechanism to inspect, verify and implement appropriate interdiction measures.
The situation escalated when, during the on-site inspection, the simulated suspects detonated a device, causing a fire, injuring many people and creating a risk of toxic chemical and radioactive contamination. The forces rapidly cordoned off the scene, carried out rescue operations and evacuated residents; conducted reconnaissance and monitoring, and identified and cordoned off the hazardous area; and at the same time carried out chemical and radiation detection, chemical and radiological decontamination, and recovery operations. The exercise thereby tested the capacity for command, coordination and cooperation among the forces in handling a WMD proliferation incident combined with a CBRN incident.
Held immediately after the promulgation of the Law on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, exercise DT81-26 was of practical significance in putting the provisions of the Law into practice. Through the exercise, the agencies and forces were able to test the coordination mechanism, clarify responsibilities at each stage of the response and enhance their capacity to respond to complex situations involving WMD and CBRN.
The results of the exercise also serve as a basis for drawing lessons, supplementing and refining plans, and enhancing the capacity for command, control, coordination and cooperation among the forces; for proactively preventing, detecting and addressing WMD proliferation risks at an early stage; and for being ready to respond and minimise damage to people, property and the environment should an incident occur.
Some images from the Exercise:
