Australia’s naval warship HMAS SYDNEY, with 35 officers and 194 sailors on board, docked at Nha Rong port in Ho Chi Minh City on October 29, beginning a six-day goodwill visit in the city.

The visit aims to strengthen the relationship between the two navies and to enhance Australia-Vietnam friendship.

According to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam , during their stay, the crew will meet with senior officers and sailors from the Vietnamese People’s Navy, engage in a range of goodwill activities and conduct a professional exchange on ship borne helicopter operations.

They will also host a visit by children from Binh Minh (Sunrise) Special School, which is supported by LORETO Vietnam-Australia programme, as well as taking advantage of the opportunity to explore Vietnam’s rich culture and meet people in the country.

HMAS SYDNEY, commanded by Captain Luke Charles-Jones, is a modified Adelaide Class guided missile frigate with roles including air defence, anti-submarine waefare, surveillance, interdiction and reconnaissance.

Vietnam and Australia have established bilateral defence cooperation relationship since 1999. Until now, the Australian Defence Force has helped train over 1,200 Vietnamese People’s Army officers in Vietnam and Australia.-VNA