VGP - Two Australian Navy ships, HMAS Canberra and HMAS Newcastle ported Cam Ranh International Port, Khanh Hoa province, starting a goodwill visit to Viet Nam from May 7- 10. 

The visit is part of the Australian Defence Force’s Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE), which has been organized since 2017 and is held in Viet Nam for the first time in 2019. 

Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam Craig Chittick said that the IPE brings opportunities to deepen Viet Nam-Australia relationship, including defense ties on the basis of mutual knowledge and trust. 

Australia always welcomes defense cooperation opportunities with Viet Nam, he affirmed, adding that the visit has asserted Viet Nam as a crucial partner of Australia in the region. 

HMA Ships Canberra and Newcastle bring over 800 Australian personnel, who come from the Navy, Army and Air Force as well as representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

IPE commanders will have courtesy calls to Khanh Hoa People’s Committee and Naval Zone 4 Command. The port visit will encompass 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 ship is 230 meters long and more than 30 meters high. The 27,000-ton warship can land a force of over 1,000 personnel by helicopter and water craft, along with weapons, ammunition, vehicles and stores as well as humanitarian aid as required. She can reach speeds of up to 20 knots (35km/h) over a maximum range of approximately 6,000 km.