His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montreal of the Royal Canadian Navy arrived at Nha Rong Port in Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City August 15 for a five-day visit.
Senior Lieutenant Colonel Phan Anh Tuan, deputy commander of Brigade 125, Naval Command, and civilian authorities held a welcome ceremony for the visiting crew led by Lieutenant Commander Travis Bain.
Canada’s ambassador to Viet Nam, Shawn Steil, said the visit by the warship proves Canada’s strong commitment to its dynamic partnership with Viet Nam and the rest of the Indo-Pacific.
It would promote the growing friendship and defense cooperation between the two nations, he added.
During the visit, the Canadian crew will hold meetings and other exchanges and sports activities with Vietnamese military and diplomatic partners.
The sailors will also participate in community support and cultural exchanges, including a meeting with students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in HCM City and a visit to the “Tình Mẹ 2” charity shelter in Bình Dương Province, make a trip to Ben Thanh Market and learning how to make banh xeo (crispy pancake).
Bain said the crew is very excited to be in Viet Nam, with many members making their first visit to the country.
HMCS Montreal’s first visit to Viet Nam is part of Operation HORIZON, which aims to promote freedom, stability and a rules-based international order under Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.