Background
Đoàn was born on 29 October 1923 in Tan Trieu Phong, Zhao Township, Quảng Trị Province, joined the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1945, and served as the military Commissioner of the provincial party Committee.
Đoàn was born on 29 October 1923 in Tan Trieu Phong, Zhao Township, Quảng Trị Province, joined the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1945, and served as the military Commissioner of the provincial party Committee.
Đoàn held various positions during the resistance against French rule (First Indochina War): Political Commissar Deputy Regiment Political Commissar). Other positions held included:
Political Commissar of the 351st Division Artillery of the Viet Minh
Deputy Political Commissar of 3rd Military Region (Vietnam People"s Army)
Commander of 5th Military Region (Vietnam People"s Army) (1977-1980)
Commander of volunteer Army of Vietnam in Cambodia
From 1987 to 1991 he was the Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People"s Army. Promotions
Major General 1974
Lieutenant General 1980
Colonel General 1984
General 1990
Đoàn served as Minister of Defense from 1991 to 1997 under Prime Ministers Đỗ Mười and Võ Văn Kiệt.
He has two other siblings:
Đoàn Chương, Minister of military strategy
Đoàn Thúy, Army Captain.