Friendship Gathering Marks Canada Day in Ho Chi Minh City
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The event was attended by Vice Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy; Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Maurice, Commanding Officer of HMCS Charlottetown; James Nickel, Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam; Colonel Pham Anh Tuan, Commander of Naval Region 3; Tran Chi Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee; Trinh Thuy Mui, Member of the 16th National Assembly, Vice President of the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association; Nguyen Nang Khieu, Director General of the Americas Department (Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations), Secretary General of the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association; along with representatives of agencies and organizations, as well as Canadian and Vietnamese officers and sailors.

Reception on the occasion of the Royal Canadian Navy Ship (HMCS) Charlottetown’s friendship visit to Da Nang City. (Photo: Nguyen Nang Khieu)

Speaking at the reception, Tran Chi Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, emphasized that the visit of HMCS Charlottetown further affirmed the positive, trustworthy, and increasingly strong development of Vietnam-Canada relations in general, as well as the naval cooperation between the two countries in particular.

Tran Chi Cuong noted that the most recent visit by a Canadian naval vessel to Da Nang was in 2018. That visit had left many positive impressions, contributing to enhanced mutual understanding, friendly exchanges, and cooperation between the two countries. Despite geographical distance, Vietnam and Canada share many common values such as openness, and a strong commitment to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. In recent years, bilateral relations have continued to develop positively across various fields such as trade, investment, education, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges.

Introducing the development potential of the locality, Tran Chi Cuong said that following its merger in July 2025, Da Nang has become the centrally governed city with the largest area in Vietnam, with expanded development space, possessing two international airports and three international seaports, and serving as a gateway connecting world cultural heritage sites such as Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary. The city is also promoting new growth drivers such as a Free Trade Zone, an International Financial Center, and the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park.

He affirmed that in the coming time, Da Nang wishes to further expand cooperation with Canadian partners in areas such as trade, education, high technology, innovation, tourism, and green development.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Maurice, Commanding Officer of HMCS Charlottetown, stated that the ship is currently deployed under Operation Horizon - a Canadian overseas military deployment aimed at promoting peace, stability, and support for a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region. The operation reflects Canada’s long-term defense commitment to the region and affirms Canada’s role as a reliable international partner.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Maurice expressed his impression of the warm and sincere welcome extended by Vietnam to the delegation. “This port visit is not merely a friendship visit but also a symbol of strengthening friendship between the two countries, contributing to enhanced mutual understanding and the building of long-term cooperation in the future,” he said.

Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam James Nickel affirmed that the visit demonstrates Canada’s strong commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and its close cooperation with trusted partners in the region, including Vietnam.

Trinh Thuy Mui, Member of the 16th National Assembly, Vice President of the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association (second from right); Nguyen Nang Khieu, Director General of the Americas Department (Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations), Secretary General of the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association (second from left), attended and took a commemorative photo at the event. (Photo: Nguyen Nang Khieu)

Within the framework of the visit, the Canadian crew participated in professional exchanges and sports interactions with officers and personnel of the Vietnam Navy. From May 17-18, the delegation is expected to engage in exchanges at the University of Economics - University of Da Nang, visit the Da Nang Center for Victims of Agent Orange and Disadvantaged Children, and take part in cultural and tourism activities in the locality.

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