At Unit 871, Minister Payne talked with Vietnam People's Army cadres who are currently studying English programs under the bilateral defense cooperation between the Australian and Vietnamese governments, and met with the Vietnam Peacekeeping Center’s staff.

leftcenterrightdel
Minister Marise Payne and delegates posing for a photo 

Speaking to Vietnamese military students, she talked about her discussions with Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Minister of National Defense General Ngo Xuan Lich on the two countries’ defense cooperation. She hoped that these Vietnamese students will complete their courses before applying for higher education programs in Australia.

During the visit to Commando Brigade 113, the Australian mission watched martial arts and anti-terrorism demonstrations of the brigade’s special force. Minister Payne expressed her impression on the skills and strength of troops of the Vietnamese Commando Corps.

Earlier, Minister Payne paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and had a meeting with Defense Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich. During the meeting with General Lich, the two Defense Ministers discussed regional security and approaches to boost defense cooperation between the two countries in the coming time, focusing on delegation exchanges, training, counterterrorism strategies, and peacekeeping activities.

On the same day, the Australian mission concluded their visit to Vietnam.

Translated by Minh Anh