Vietnamese and New Zealand officers take a photo at Sai Gon port (Source: VNA)HCM City (VNA)– New Zealand’s (NZ) navyfrigate HMNZS Te Mana F77 carrying 178 officersand crew members anchored at Sai Gon Port in Ho Chi Minh City on September 25, commencing its five-dayvisit to Vietnam.
Thisis the first visit to HCM City by New Zealand’s navy force this year, marking the43rd anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the Oceanic nation.
LieutenantColonel Lisa Hunn, Commanding Officer of Te Mana, said the visit forms part of thedefence cooperation between the two countries, and thus contributing to the partnershipbetween their militaries in general and navies in particular.
Speakingat the welcome ceremony for the NZ guests, Senior Lieutenant Colonel NguyenNgoc Anh, deputy head of Brigade 125 of Naval Zone 2, said the visit offers thetwo sides a chance to share experience and explore each other’s land, people,and cultures.
Duringtheir stay in HCM City, the New Zealand officers and crewmembers, including 38 women, are scheduled to pay tribute to President Ho ChiMinh at his statue in one of the city’s parks and pay courtesy calls toofficials of the municipal People’s Committee and the Military Zone 7 High Command.
Theywill also engage in a friendly volleyball match with their colleagues of NavalZone 2, provide equipment and help repair local schools, in particular theNguyen Dinh Chieu School for Children with Visual Impairment, and visit severallandmarks around the city. –VNA
VNA
