(Dan Tri) - Two warships of the Royal New Zealand Navy with 300 soldiers and crew members docked at Saigon port, bringing with them the powerful traditional Haka dance when visiting Vietnam.
On the morning of September 24, two warships of the Royal New Zealand Navy docked at Saigon Port (Ho Chi Minh City) to begin a diplomatic visit to Vietnam.
Among them, HMNZS Te Mana is one of two Anzac-class destroyers of the Royal New Zealand Navy. The other destroyer is HMNZS Aotearoa.
The welcoming ceremony for the two Royal New Zealand Navy ships took place in an intimate atmosphere with the participation of Ho Chi Minh City leaders, representatives of the Ministry of National Defense, the Vietnam Navy, and related units.
The Royal New Zealand Navy side included the Joint Commander and his assistants, New Zealand Consul General Scott James, Counselor of the New Zealand Embassy Guy Lewis, New Zealand Defense Attaché concurrently serving in Vietnam Shauna Graham, and 300 military personnel on the two ships.
"The crews of HMNZS Te Mana and HMNZS Aotearoa are delighted to be visiting Vietnam. They are eager to learn about Vietnamese culture and people, as well as share a bit of Kiwi culture with you. This visit is a testament to the close relationship between New Zealand and Vietnam. We are committed to defence cooperation with Vietnam and believe that developing and expanding our bilateral relationship will contribute to maintaining regional security," said New Zealand's Joint Chiefs of Staff, Rear Admiral James Gilmour.
Soldiers hoisted the Vietnamese and New Zealand flags on two warships as they docked at Saigon port.
The welcoming ceremony of the two New Zealand warships became lively when the soldiers on board performed typical New Zealand songs along with the traditional Haka dance.
The Haka dance was performed by the soldiers on board in a brave and majestic manner.
The Haka dance combines heroic, passionate lyrics with strong, determined foot-stomping and chest-beating movements and fierce facial expressions. Today, the Haka is performed at New Zealand festivals and special occasions.
With a length of 118m and a width of 14.8m, the HMNZS TE Mana has a displacement of 3,600 tons and a maximum speed of 27 knots.
The 26,000-ton HMNZS Aotearoa is an Arctic-capable ship and the Royal New Zealand Navy's largest oil and supply ship.
HMNZS TE Mana carries a SH-2G Super Seasprite naval helicopter.
The ship is equipped with short-range RIM-7 Sea Sparrow air defense missiles and medium-range RIM-162 ESSM, Mark 46 lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes and a SH-2G Super Seasprite naval helicopter. A 5-inch gun is located at the bow, along with lifeboats on the sides.
The two ships are currently conducting routine exercises in Southeast Asia as part of the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) largest naval deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, as well as undertaking a number of “Defence Diplomacy” visits, including a visit to Vietnam. This is the first time two Royal New Zealand Navy ships have visited Vietnam together.
Two warships of the Royal New Zealand Navy will anchor at Saigon Port (HCMC) from September 24 to 28.
During their five-day stay in Vietnam, the delegation of officers and sailors will participate in many activities, including exchanges and meetings between the two navies, friendly sports and community activities.
The two ships will also participate in a tabletop exercise with the Vietnam People's Navy Region 2 Command on rules of conduct in encounters at sea.
Dantri.com.vn
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