Colonel Nguyen Thai Hoc, Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 4, presided over the welcoming ceremony. Attending the welcoming ceremony were comrade Le Huu Hoang, Permanent Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee; representatives of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Ministry of National Defense ; the Provincial Military Command, Khanh Hoa Provincial Border Guard; and the Foreign Affairs Department of the Navy.

Colonel Nguyen Thai Hoc presented flowers to congratulate the Japanese Navy delegation.

The helicopter destroyer Izumo and destroyer Samidare of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force are led by Major General Nishiyama Takahiro, Commander of the 1st Escort Fleet, with 599 officers and sailors.

Vietnam Navy officers and sailors welcome the Japanese Navy delegation.

The visit to Vietnam by two ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force this time is one of the specific activities to implement the Project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - Japan diplomatic relations (September 21, 1973 / September 21, 2023), creating a positive mark in the defense relationship between the two countries.

Delegates take a group photo.

During the visit, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship command group paid a courtesy visit to the leaders of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, the Naval Region 4 Command and visited the Naval Academy. The Japanese side invited Vietnamese representatives to visit the ship, organized a reception and coordinated with Naval Region 4 to organize sports exchanges between soldiers and sailors of the two countries.

Helicopter destroyer IZUMO and destroyer SAMIDARE dock at Cam Ranh international port.

The visit contributes to mutual understanding and coordination between the Vietnam People's Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, actively consolidating and promoting bilateral defense cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in particular and cooperation between the two countries in general to new heights.

News and photos: MINH DUY