The visit of BRP Ramon Alcaraz marks the third time that a PN ship visited Vietnam to sustain and enhance the relationship between the two navies.

Say cheese The men of BRP Ramon Alcaraz and their counterparts from the Vietnam People’s Navy pose for a souvenir before the Philippine crew returns home. Francis Wakefield

The Philippine Navy (PN) ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) concluded a four-day port visit to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, following its successful participation in the inaugural ASEAN-United States Maritime Exercise (AUMX) 2019 conducted off the waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

The Naval Public Affairs Office said a send-off ceremony was given by the Vietnamese Navy to BRP Ramon Alcaraz early Tuesday morning, as it prepared to sail home to the Philippines.

The onboard Naval Task Group (NTG) 80.5, led by Capt. Hilarion Cesista, was earlier accorded a welcome ceremony by their counterparts from the 2nd Naval Region of the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) when they arrived in Ho Chi Minh City last Saturday.

They later paid a courtesy call to VPN deputy commander Capt. Dinh Van Thang, who hosted dinner for the Filipinos.

Cesista and his party also paid a visit to Ha Phuoc Thang, head of office, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and their counterparts at the Vietnam Navy Technical College.

A series of confidence-building engagements between PN and VPN personnel were also conducted, such as a shipboard tour, reception and friendly games.

The Naval Public Affairs Office said the visit of BRP Ramon Alcaraz marks the third time that a PN ship visited Vietnam, which has become an avenue for sustaining and enhancing the relationship between the two navies.

It added that it will further intensify such understanding in the areas of security and defense, economic matters, and regional and international cooperation.