The mission was led by Senior Colonel Le Thanh Hai, Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Region 1.

A solemn welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation was held at Shinko port in Kobe city of Japan’s Hyogo province with the presence of Japanese officials, governor of Hyogo province, Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka, Vietnamese Defense Attaché in Japan, and commanding staff of Region 5 of the Japan Coast Guard.

Speaking at the welcome ceremony, Commander of Region 5 of the Japan Coast Guard Hattori emphasized that the Japan visit of the CSB 8004 is one of the significant activities which take place at the time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Mr. Hattori said that the visit would contribute to strengthening cooperation between the two forces and the friendship between the two countries and actualizing the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).”

On behalf of the delegation of the Vietnam Coast Guard, Senior Colonel Le Thanh Hai sincerely thanked the Japanese side for the warm and solemn welcome. The head of the Vietnamese delegation expected that the visit would help boost the relationship between the two forces. It offers an opportunity for the two sides to exchange experience and foster coordination in responding to traditional and non-traditional maritime security issues at sea.

Below are photos of the welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation:

leftcenterrightdel
Delegates in a joint photo at the welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation
leftcenterrightdel
Mr. Hattori speaking at the event welcoming the delegation of the Vietnam Coast Guard Command
leftcenterrightdel
Senior Colonel Le Thanh Hai speaking at the event
leftcenterrightdel
Governor of Hyogo province presents flowers to head of the Vietnamese delegation Senior Colonel Le Thanh Hai and Captain of ship CSB 8004.
leftcenterrightdel
At the welcome ceremony in Kobe city
leftcenterrightdel
An overview of Shinko Port where ship CSB 8004 and the Vietnamese delegation will have exchanges with the Japan Coast Guard
leftcenterrightdel
Representatives of Region 5 of the Japan Coast Guard welcoming ship CSB 8004

Reported by Anh Son (from Kobe, Japan)

Translated by Tran Hoai