HMAS Larrakia recently departed the Vietnamese port of Ho Chi Minh City, after a successful four-day visit that included a mixture of official receptions, a sporting engagement and shore leave for the 34 members of ship’s company.
The port visit, which coincided with a visit to Vietnam by Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, was part of Larrakia’s six-week South East Asian deployment.
The Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) pulled out all the stops for the visit by organising a number of elaborate receptions over the four days, including an official engagement between Vice Admiral Barrett and his Vietnamese counterpart Admiral Nguyen Van Hien.
The Royal Australian Navy has a developing relationship with their Vietnamese counterparts which has recently involved Vietnamese members travelling to Jervis Bay for maritime security exercises.
Larrakia is the first Armidale Class Patrol Boat to visit Vietnam, and the 14th Royal Australian Navy ship to visit, with the last being frigate HMAS Sydney in 2012.
During her current deployment, Larrakia will also take part in Exercise LUMBAS 14, and the 70th commemorations of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.