Five senior generals of the Vietnam People's Army are retiring from military service effective 1/3, following decisions issued by the Prime Minister on 26/2. Senior Generals Hoang Xuan Chien, Le Huy Vinh, Vo Minh Luong, and Vu Hai San will step down as Deputy Ministers of National Defense. Senior General Huynh Chien Thang will cease to be Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. All five were Party Central Committee members for the 12th and 13th terms and were not re-elected for the 14th term.

Senior General Hoang Xuan Chien. Photo: Hoang Phong

Senior General Hoang Xuan Chien, aged 65, is from Hung Yen. He is a Doctor of Law and served as a Party Central Committee member for the 12th and 13th terms. He was appointed Deputy Minister of National Defense in 7/2020 and promoted to senior general in 10/2020. Before this, he served as Commander of the Border Guard Command. His tenure as Deputy Minister of National Defense was extended by the Prime Minister in 9/2025.

Senior General Vu Hai San. Photo: Ministry of National Defense

Senior General Vu Hai San, aged 65, hails from Ninh Binh. He holds a Bachelor of Military Science degree and was a Party Central Committee member for the 12th and 13th terms. He became Deputy Minister of National Defense in 7/2020, having previously served as Commander of Military Region 3. His term as Deputy Minister of National Defense was extended by the Prime Minister in 9/2025.

Senior General Vo Minh Luong. Photo: Thanh Nguyen

Senior General Vo Minh Luong, aged 63, is a native of Quang Tri. He holds a Bachelor of Military Science and was a Party Central Committee member for the 12th and 13th terms. He was appointed Deputy Minister of National Defense in 10/2020, following his service as Commander of Military Region 7. His tenure as Deputy Minister of National Defense was extended by the Prime Minister in 10/2025.

Senior General Le Huy Vinh. Photo: Ministry of National Defense

Senior General Le Huy Vinh, aged 65, is from Hanoi. He is a Doctor of Military Science and served as a Party Central Committee member for the 12th and 13th terms. Before his appointment as Deputy Minister of National Defense, he was Commander of the Air Defense - Air Force Service and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. His term as Deputy Minister of National Defense was extended by the Prime Minister in 10/2025.

Senior General Huynh Chien Thang. Photo: Ministry of National Defense

Senior General Huynh Chien Thang, aged 61, is from Vinh Long. He holds a Bachelor of Military Science and was a Party Central Committee member for the 12th and 13th terms. He assumed the role of Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army in 11/2020, having previously served as Deputy Political Commissar and Political Commissar of Military Region 9.

The Law on Officers of the Vietnam People's Army stipulates the maximum service age for general-rank officers based on their rank: a general at 65, a senior general or admiral at 63, a lieutenant general or vice admiral at 61, and a major general or rear admiral at 60. In necessary cases, officers may have their active service extended, but not by more than 5 years beyond the maximum service age for their rank.

Vu Tuan