British Royal Navy ship HMS Richmond at Cam Ranh International Port, Khánh Hoà Province, Việt Nam on Friday. — Photo courtesy of the UK Embassy in Việt Nam

HÀ NỘI — British Royal Navy ship HMS Richmond docked at Cam Ranh International Port in the south-central province of Khánh Hoà on Friday, beginning a four-day visit to Việt Nam, announced the UK Embassy.

“The visit comes on the 10th anniversary of UK – Việt Nam defence cooperation and just two months after the first-ever visit to Việt Nam by the UK Secretary of State for Defence in July 2021. The ship's presence underlines the UK's commitment to the Indo-Pacific, at the heart of which lies the UK's partnership with Việt Nam,” the announcement reads.

“We are excited to be visiting Việt Nam. Our role is to demonstrate the UK’s commitment to a persistent and reliable presence in the Indo-Pacific, including crucial regional partners like Việt Nam with whom we have numerous shared interests,” Captain Hugh Botterill, HMS Richmond’s Commanding Officer, said, adding that the interests include maritime security, sustainable development, climate change and a desire to see mutual economic growth.

British Ambassador to Việt Nam, Gareth Ward said: “The UK and Việt Nam are both maritime nations. We value freedom of navigation, based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.”

He said that this was the 3rd visit by a Royal Navy Ship to Việt Nam during his term, and that the visit “reaffirms the UK's Indo-Pacific tilt and our commitment towards expanding defence relationships with key partners in the region.”

Later in 2021, the two countries will hold their 4th annual bilateral Defence Policy Dialogue, he said.

“We recognise the importance of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific and the need to contribute to UN peacekeeping for global peace and security,” the diplomat added.

Present at the welcome ceremony on Friday were representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs of Khánh Hoà Province, Navy Region 4, Border Guard, Cam Ranh International Port and the UK Embassy.

Group Captain Bea Walcot, the UK Defence Attaché to Việt Nam presented the Nha Trang Naval Academy English language training material, as part of the Defence Cooperation Agreement between the two countries.

This visit of HMS Richmond, 133m long with a displacement of 4,812 tonnes, is part of a broader campaign of the Royal Navy in 2021 for the Indo-Pacific region, which is part of the UK's commitment to peacebuilding, maritime security, and regional prosperity. — VNS

The ceremony to transfer English-language training materials from UK Defence Attaché to Nha Trang Naval Academy. — Photo courtesy of UK Embassy in Việt Nam