The flight deck of HMAS Toowoomba was akin to an informal United Nations General Assembly recently, as more than a dozen nations gathered on board in Da Nang, Vietnam.
Celebrating the first reciprocal port visits between Australia and Vietnam, Toowoomba hosted an official reception, with members of the Da Nang People's Committee as guests of honour, along with representatives from other Indo-Pacific regional partners and NATO nations.
Welcoming guests on board, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird emphasised the strategic importance of the gathering.
"We all face an increasingly uncertain and complex strategic environment, but conflict is not inevitable," Ms Bird said.
"We must work together to build the region we want, not just accept the circumstances we face."
Toowoomba's visit followed Vietnam People's Navy Ship 16's voyage to Australia to participate in Exercise Kakadu and the Royal Australian Navy's 125th anniversary International Fleet Review.
"HMAS Toowoomba's visit is a concrete demonstration of the important and growing defence cooperation between Australia and Vietnam, a key pillar of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Ms Bird said.
'We must work together to build the region we want, not just accept the circumstances we face.'
Commanding Officer Toowoomba Commander Alicia Harrison said the night was one of celebration in honour of Ship 16, which completed the longest deployment and voyage in their navy's history.
The ship sailed more than 11,000 nautical miles to host a similar reception on their ship, celebrating the Royal Australian Navy's 125th birthday.
"I would like to thank Vietnam for honouring Australia by choosing to visit our nation to achieve this incredible milestone," Commander Harrison said.
Australia's Defence Attaché to Vietnam Colonel Alana Burkitt said the visit was the largest and most involved in recent memory, including cultural, sporting and educational activities along with senior level dialogues.
"This visit demonstrates the strength of Australia-Vietnam Defence cooperation, that commenced in 1999 and has continued to grow in size and complexity," Colonel Burkitt said.
The Australian Defence Force has provided English-language training to more than 5000 officers from the Vietnam People's Army, and supported Vietnam's contribution to United Nations peacekeeping, providing training and strategic airlift for seven deployments.
Toowoomba is continuing her regional presence deployment throughout East Asia and South-East Asia, conducting operations, exercises and other engagements with Australia's regional partners.
