On the morning of October 23, the Royal New Zealand Navy logistics ship HMNZS Aotearoa, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Rob Welford, docked at Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi International Port, beginning a 5-day friendship visit to Ho Chi Minh City, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Vietnam (1975-2025).
Ms. Caroline Beresford, Ambassador of New Zealand to Vietnam; representatives of Naval Region 2 Command; Military Region 7 Command; Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of National Defense attended the welcoming ceremony.
Navy Lieutenant Colonel Rob Welford said the Royal New Zealand Navy logistics ship's friendly visit to Ho Chi Minh City comes at a special time when Vietnam and New Zealand celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.
The two countries' leaders also announced the upgrading of bilateral relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in February 2025.
The visit demonstrates the strong commitment of the two countries' leaders in efforts to enhance exchanges, mutual understanding and promote friendly relations between the two countries, including cooperation in the defense field.
The Royal New Zealand Navy logistics ship HMNZS Aotearoa is 173.2m long, 24.5m wide, and has a displacement of 26,000 tonnes, making it the Royal New Zealand Navy's largest oil and supply ship.
In addition to performing logistical support duties for the Royal New Zealand Navy, the ship is also designed to carry out humanitarian assistance operations.
In 2023, the Royal New Zealand Navy logistics ship HMNZS Aotearoa visited Ho Chi Minh City with the destroyer HMNZS Te Mana.
This return visit, the second by HMNZS Aotearoa in three years, is a clear demonstration of the increasingly strong defence cooperation between New Zealand and Vietnam.
During the visit to Ho Chi Minh City, the ship's Command Group will pay respects to the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the Military Region 7 Command and the Naval Region 2 Command; visit some scenic spots; participate in cultural and sports exchange activities and coordinate the practice of the Code of Conduct for Unexpected Encounters at Sea (CUES) with the Vietnam People's Navy./.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tau-hau-can-lon-nhat-cua-hai-quan-new-zealand-tham-thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-post1072118.vnp
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