The Australian warships docked at Cam Ranh International Port in the central province of Khanh Hoa on September 20. (Photo: VNA)

They comprise amphibious assault ship HMAS Canberra, missile frigate HMAS Anzac and tanker HMAS Sirius.

Their arrival is part of the Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2021 (IPE21), an annual Australian Defence Force (ADF) activity which delivers on the promise of the 2016 Defence White Paper to strengthen Australia’s engagement and partnerships with regional security forces.

Departing Australia in late August, IPE21 will provide an opportunity for Australia to engage with Southeast Asian partners beyond traditional military activities, with supporting elements from across the Australian Government.

Present at the welcome ceremony on Tuesday were Colonel Ho Thanh Hoa, Deputy Commander of the Naval Region 4 High Command, and representatives of Khanh Hoa province’s Military Command and Border Guard Command.

The two sides will engage in a series of exchanges on humanitarian aid and disaster relief; gender, peace and security; and maritime security cooperation.

Defence ties between Vietnam and Australia have been enhanced through official visits, high-level dialogues, professional training, post-graduate training, and collaboration in peace, maritime security and anti-terrorism. The defence cooperation has become an important pillar of the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership.