Hanoi, December 8, 2025 – The Europe Today: Frigate 015 – Trần Hưng Đạo – of the Việt Nam People’s Navy arrived at Kure Port in Hiroshima Prefecture on Sunday, marking the start of its official visit to Japan.
The vessel, part of Brigade 162 under Naval Region 4, carries a naval delegation led by Senior Captain Nguyễn Vĩnh Nam, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 4. Japan is the second stop on the frigate’s goodwill mission, which also includes China and South Korea.
A formal welcome ceremony was held at Kure Naval Base, one of the largest bases of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), and was chaired by Captain Yanagihara. Việt Nam’s Defence Attaché in Japan, Senior Colonel Nguyễn Thái Sơn, also attended.
In his address, Captain Yanagihara expressed his appreciation for the visit and conveyed hopes that planned exchanges would further strengthen cooperation between the two navies and contribute meaningfully to Việt Nam–Japan relations.
Responding at the ceremony, Senior Captain Nam said he was honoured to lead the delegation to Kure. He commended the officers and sailors of Vessel 015 for overcoming the long journey and challenging weather conditions to ensure a safe and timely arrival. He added that the visit would deepen mutual understanding of each other’s countries, cultures and people, thereby reinforcing friendly and cooperative ties between Việt Nam and Japan, as well as between their armed forces and naval services.
This marks the frigate’s second courtesy visit to Japan and its first to Kure Naval Base.
The port call is part of the implementation of the 2018 Joint Vision Statement on Việt Nam–Japan Defence Cooperation for the coming decade and reflects the two nations’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the wider world. The visit aims to enhance cooperation, trust and mutual understanding between the two navies.
Following the welcome ceremony, officers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force toured Vessel 015 – Trần Hưng Đạo and joined the Vietnamese delegation for professional exchanges on board.
