As part of the celebrations to mark the 40^th anniversary of Viet Nam-UK diplomatic relations, the British warship HMS Daring is paying a friendly visit to Da Nang from 18 to 21 December. 

The Type 45 destroyer and her crew docked at Tien Sa Port today.  They were warmly welcomed by representatives from the Foreign Affairs Office of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, the High Commands of the Viet Nam People’s Navy, the Zone 3 Navy, Military Zone 5, the municipal Border Guard headquarters, and the People’s Committee.  The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UK to Viet Nam, Dr Antony Stokes, the British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr Douglas Barnes, and Group Captain Tim Below of the Royal Air Force were also present at the reception for the British crew.

HMS Daring

Addressing the event, Ambassador Stokes said that the visit by the ship would help to lift the Viet Nam-UK relationship to a higher level as well as deepen their bilateral cooperation.

Vietnamese military officers warmly receive the British Ambassador and officers from HMS Daring

During their 3-day stay in the city, the British guests are scheduled to pay a courtesy visit to the city’s leaders, and to visit the Military Zone 5 High Command and Zone 3 Naval High Command.  In addition, they will participate in some cultural activities, as well as visit some tourist attractions in the city.  A musical performance will be given tonight by the ship’s crew at 6pm near the Han Market on Bach Dang Street, and they will visit the Hoa Mai Orphan Care Centre and the city’s charity vocational training centre.  In particular, the British naval officers and men will host a defence working group meeting on the ship with their Vietnamese partners.  In addition, they will be present at the graduation ceremony for 6 Vietnamese trainees who have finished their English training course for the maintenance of peace, a course provided by the British Council.  The graduates are from the Viet Nam Air Defence and Air Force, and the Marine Police.