The 59-day mission covering 11,016 nautical miles was the longest voyage in the history of the Vietnam People’s Navy. Completing all tasks safely was a major source of pride for the Vietnamese delegation, the crew, international friends, and the overseas Vietnamese community in Australia.
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Ships sail in formation for aerial photography from Jervis Bay to Sydney Harbor, seen from frigate 016-Quang Trung on March 20. |
Addressing the reception on frigate 016-Quang Trung in Sydney Harbor on March 23 evening, Chief of the Royal Australian Navy (now Chief of the Australian Defense Force) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said Frigate 016-Quang Trung’s arrival in Sydney marked the longest voyage in the history of the Vietnam People’s Navy, and that was a pride that the host wanted to share. “Through cooperation activities between the two navies, we have together contributed to maintaining a maritime environment of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.
His attendance at the reception despite a busy schedule reflected the strong friendship and cooperation between the two militaries and navies, in line with the Vietnam - Australia comprehensive strategic partnership. Earlier this year, in January, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond visited Vietnam and Frigate 016-Quang Trung.
Australian Defense Attaché to Vietnam Colonel Alana Burkitt underlined that Vietnam’s decision to deploy one of its most modern warships to attend such an important milestone event of the Royal Australian Navy showed the high level of political trust between the two governments and militaries.
According to Senior Captain Nguyen Minh Lanh, Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 4 and head of the Vietnamese delegation, Frigate 016-Quang Trung crossed two oceans and seven seas (East, Java, Banda, Timor, Arafura, Coral and Tasman seas), took part in formation sailing for aerial photography, the fleet review, onboard reception, harbor-phase exercises, and cultural and sports exchanges during the mission.
He stressed that by following the non-combat principles of Exercise Kakadu, the crew demonstrated professionalism, discipline, and the modern capabilities of the Vietnam People’s Navy. The days-long voyage provided opportunity to improve long-distance operational skills, command capability, coordination, combat readiness and mastery of weapons and equipment.
Acknowledging challenges, such as changing weather, time-zone differences, and unfamiliar and difficult waters and the importance of this defense diplomacy mission, the delegation and the crew made careful preparations, particularly in Party and political and advisory work, logistics and technical support, and coordinated closely with relevant agencies, ensuring that the mission was carried out successfully.
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The welcome ceremony for Frigate 016-Quang Trung and the Vietnamese delegation at Cam Ranh Military Port on April 22 morning |
Those efforts contributed to the mission’s success and increased the pride of naval personnel and overseas Vietnamese in Australia.
The onboard reception in Sydney saw the presence of not only foreign naval representatives, but also Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam, Vietnamese Defense Attaché to Australia Colonel Nguyen Anh Vu, and overseas Vietnamese, many of whom expressed pride in seeing a Vietnamese naval ship flying the national flag in Sydney Harbor for the first time and attending the event.
Living in Australia for over 40 years now, Tran Ba Phuc, Chairman of the Vietnam Business Association in Australia, said the ship’s presence showed Vietnam’s growing standing, and he was proud of the country’s growing international integration and confident in its stronger development.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Thai Luc, an officer of the New South Wales Police Force shared his pride in finally visiting the ship after following its journey online.
The mission aimed to implement Vietnam’s policy on international integration and defense diplomacy, serving as a source of encouragement to promoting naval modernization and contributing to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the Vietnamese military and navy and their foreign counterparts for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
By Ngoc Hung
Translated by Mai Huong