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Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City-For the first time a ship of the German Navy visits Vietnam
Einlauf der Fregatte Bayern in den Hafen Nha Rong in HCMS-Khinh hạm Bayern cập cảng Nhà Rồng tại Tp. HCM, © German Embassy Hanoi
On 6 January, the frigate „Bayern“ entered the port of Nha Rong in Ho Chi Minh City.
It was welcomed by the German Ambassador Dr. Guido Hildner, members of the German Embassy and the Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City as well as representatives of the Ho Chi Minh City Foreign Office, the Vietnamese Navy and the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence.
Ambassador Hildner said:
We are delighted about the first visit of a German Navy ship to Vietnam. It shows the high importance Germany attaches to the partnership with Vietnam, and it will strengthen the partnership. We cooperate with Vietnam in numerous fields. Security policy is one area among many.
After the planned departure on 09.01.2022, a PASSEX (Passing Exercise) exercise of the frigate „Bayern“ with the Vietnamese Navy is planned. Partial exercises on communication, navigation, tactical formation sailing and rescue exercises can be carried out.
The visit of the frigate „Bayern“ is part of a seven-month training and presence cruise in the Indo-Pacific. Stations so far have been Pakistan, Australia, Guam, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. After Vietnam, Sri Lanka and India will follow.
Ambassador Hildner said:
With the broad-based voyage of the „Bayern“ through the Indo-Pacific, Germany is taking into account the growing importance of the region. The voyage is a concrete implementation of the German Indo-Pacific Guidelines of 2020, with which Germany is committed to greater engagement in the region. One of the goals is to strengthen the international rules-based order. The maritime domain is regulated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. By sailing of the „Bayern“, Germany is underlining the universal validity of this convention and the importance of freedom of navigation. The passage through the South China Sea is a central part of the voyage.