Canada’s HMCS Charlottetown begins Vietnam goodwill visit
VOV.VN - HMCS Charlottetown of the Royal Canadian Navy arrived at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang on May 15, beginning a four-day goodwill visit to Vietnam as part of Operation Horizon - Canada’s long-term military deployment programme in the Indo-Pacific region.
Representatives from various Vietnamese and Canadian agencies attended the welcoming ceremony at Tien Sa Port, including officials from Naval Region 3 Command, the Da Nang Military Command, the Border Guard Command and other related agencies.
During the visit from May 15 to 18, the ship’s officers are scheduled to pay courtesy visits to leaders of the Da Nang People’s Committee, Military Region 5 and Naval Region 3. The crew will also participate in professional exchanges, sports activities and cultural interactions with Vietnamese counterparts.
According to the programme, Canadian sailors will join discussions on trade and maritime security, conduct joint exercises at sea, engage with students from the University of Economics under Da Nang University and visit local support centres for Agent Orange victims and disadvantaged children.
Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel said the visit reflects Canada’s commitment to maintaining regional stability based on international law while contributing to the advancement of the Vietnam–Canada Comprehensive Partnership.
Vice Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, said the deployment of HMCS Charlottetown to Vietnam demonstrates the importance Canada places on the Indo-Pacific region as well as its intention to deepen cooperation with the Vietnam People’s Navy on maritime security issues.
He expressed hope that exchanges between Canadian sailors and local communities in Da Nang would further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
The visit takes place as Vietnam–Canada defence cooperation has continued expanding in recent years, particularly in areas such as maritime security, peacekeeping operations and military exchanges.
Operation Horizon forms part of Canada’s broader strategy to strengthen its long-term presence in the Indo-Pacific region, with the objective of promoting peace, stability and a rules-based international order.
HMCS Charlottetown departed from Halifax in early February for a deployment lasting approximately six months, carrying nearly 240 sailors and a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter detachment.
Frigate 015 – Tran Hung Dao concludes visit to RoK
Frigate 015 – Tran Hung Dao and the delegation of the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) on December 14 departed Jinhae Naval Base, concluding a four-day trip to the Republic of Korea (RoK).
