Addressing a press conference held after the welcoming ceremony, Commander Travis Bain, commanding officer of HMCS Montréal, expressed his joy at visiting Ho Chi Minh City, noting the visit would provide a chance for his crewmembers to interact with the local community and prove Canada’s partnership commitment to Vietnam.

Many crewmembers are visiting the country for the first time and they are all very excited, particularly as they look forward to exploring Ho Chi Minh City and enjoying Vietnamese cuisine, he added.

Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil said that the presence of the Royal Canadian Navy ship demonstrates Canada's commitment to promoting security and stability within the region by further strengthening Canada's cooperation with countries with the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean regions, including Vietnam.

As scheduled, Canadian officers will hold an exchange with local students, visit a social protection centre and a child care facility in Binh Duong province, tour around Ben Thanh market and taste Vietnamese food.

HMCS Montréal is a Halifax-class frigate that has served in the Canadian Forces since 1993. The vessel is the seventh ship in her class which is based on the Canadian Patrol Frigate Project.

The Halifax class has a complement of 200 naval personnel, including 17 officers. HMCS Montréal is 134 metres long and has a maximum speed of 35 nautical miles per hour. It is the first of three Royal Canadian Navy ships deployed annually as part of HORIZON campaign in support of the Canadian Government's Indo-Pacific strategy.

VOV