The Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montréal arrived at Nha Rong Wharf in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday, commencing a five-day visit to the southern metropolis of Vietnam.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Phan Anh Tuan, deputy commander of Brigade 125 under Vietnam’s Naval Region 2, and the municipal administration held a welcome ceremony for the visiting crew led by the ship’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Travis Bain.

Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil was also present at the reception.

Addressing a press briefing held after the welcoming ceremony, Bain expressed his pleasure at visiting Ho Chi Minh City and underscored that the visit demonstrates Canada's commitment to promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Canada is a Pacific nation and the Indo-Pacific region is its neighbor, so Canada has sent the vessel here to strengthen its ties with regional nations, including Vietnam, said Bain.

Two other Canadian ships, HMCS Vancouver and HMCS Ottawa, will also visit the Indo-Pacific region this year.

Ambassador Steil emphasized that the visit not only demonstrates Canada's strong commitment to its dynamic partnership with Vietnam and the broader Indo-Pacific region, but also highlights the deepening friendship and defense cooperation between Canada and Vietnam.

Steil noted that since the two countries established a comprehensive partnership in 2017, trade between Vietnam and Canada has flourished.

During their time in the city, the Canadian frigate's leaders will work to strengthen relations with Vietnamese partners through military and diplomatic cooperation activities.

Meanwhile, the crew members will engage in community support efforts and foster people-to-people connections.

Specifically, the crew will hold an exchange with local students, visit a social protection center and a child care facility in southern Binh Duong Province, make a tour of Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, and taste Vietnamese foods, among other activities, according to Voice of Vietnam.

As a Halifax-class frigate, the HMCS Montréal is equipped with cutting-edge weapons and sensors against submarine and surface ships, a powerful air defense system, a modern damage control system, and an advanced machinery control system, which all help the warship possess a high combat capability.

The ship also carries a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter specializing in anti-submarine missions, maritime reconnaissance, and search and rescue operations.

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