The goodwill visit brings together the Vietnamese People’s Navy and the Royal Australian Navy and is also part of the Australian Defence Force’s Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE19).

This is the first time IPE, which commenced in 2017, has included Vietnam. IPE 19 is also visiting other key regional partners including Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.
Air Commodore Richard Owen leads IPE-19 as Commander Joint Task Force 661. HMA Ships Canberra and Newcastle are joined by force elements from the Navy, Army and Air Force as well as representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In total, the visit will involve over 800 Australian personnel.

Representatives from Vietnam’s Navy Command, Khanh Hoa Province Military Command, Khanh Hoa Border Guard Command, Foreign Relations Department of Ministry of Defence and Khanh Hoa Province Foreign Relations Department were present at the ships’ welcome ceremony.

The port visit encompassed a wide range of activities including military-to-military engagement, professional experience sharing on ship and humanitarian disaster relief operations, and friendly sporting events.

The Australian Army Band had the special opportunity to perform in public in the evening of 07 May 2019 at Tue Tinh Park, Tran Phu Street, Nha Trang.

Navy Captain Do Minh of Naval Zone 4 welcomed Air Commodore Richard Owen-Commander Joint Task Force 661-Indo Pacific Endeavour 19 to Vietnam with HMAS Canberra and HMAS Newcastle (Photo: Coutersy of Australian Embassy)

SGGP/VNA