PANO - Canadian naval ship HMCS Vancouver, with 36 officers and 200 sailors on board, docked at Ho Chi Minh City Port on October 18, beginning its four-day visit to the Vietnamese southern city.

The visit aims to strengthen friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Canada in general and to promote bilateral defense ties in particular.

Vietnamese and Canadian naval officers posing for a joint photo

The Canadian naval delegation was welcomed by representatives of the municipal People's Committee, the Vietnam People's Naval Command, the Military Region 7 Command, the Department of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of National Defense, the municipal Border Guard Command and the Canadian General Consulate in the city.

During their stay, the Canadian officers and sailors will lay wreaths at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh, pay courtesy visits to leaders of the municipal People’s Committee, the High Command of Military Region 7 and the Southern Command of the Vietnam Naval Service.

They will also join sporting activities with officials and students of the Naval Technical School, tour several Canadian businesses and take part in public events in the city.

The visit is part of WESTPLOY 16 to promote ties between the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the navies of Asia-Pacific countries.

Translated by Huu Duc