Thai frigate visits Ho Chi Minh City to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties
HTMS Naresuan is making a five-day port call in Ho Chi Minh City, combining official meetings, naval exchanges and engagement with the Thai community.
- The Royal Thai Navy’s guided-missile frigate, HTMS Naresuan, is on a five-day goodwill visit to Ho Chi Minh City.
- The visit commemorates the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam (1976-2026).
- The frigate's crew will engage in official talks, naval exchanges, and cultural activities with the Vietnam People's Navy.
- The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties, reinforce confidence, and advance practical cooperation between the two nations.
Official talks, naval exchanges and activities involving the Thai community are planned during a five-day visit to Ho Chi Minh City by the Royal Thai Navy’s guided-missile frigate HTMS Naresuan (FFG-421).
The vessel reached Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi International Port on Tuesday (August 25) and will remain in the city until August 29.
The goodwill call is part of events celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam (1976-2026).
At both national and naval levels, the visit is intended to bring people in the two countries closer together, reinforce confidence and advance practical cooperation.
Rear Adm Borworn Promkaewngam, deputy superintendent of the Royal Thai Naval Academy, told reporters that the delegation would hold working sessions with the Thai Consulate-General.
The itinerary also includes courtesy calls on leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Military Region No. 7 Command and Naval Region No. 2 Command.
The delegation and crew will take part in cultural and sporting exchanges with officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Navy and visit historical and cultural landmarks around the city.
Members of the Thai community living and working in Vietnam will also be welcomed aboard for visits and exchanges.
Thai Consul-General Wiraka Moodhitaporn described 2026 as an important milestone in bilateral relations and the port call as a major event commemorating the anniversary.
The formal welcome was led by Sr Col Pham Tien Dung, deputy chief of staff of Naval Region No. 2 Command under the Vietnam People’s Navy.
Borworn headed the Thai delegation, which also included the frigate’s commanding officers, Sr Col Natas Rasmeeferung and Cmdr Kongkachar Kerdchuchern.
The ceremony brought together representatives of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the Vietnam People’s Navy, Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command, Ho Chi Minh City High Command, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Military Security Protection and the city’s Border Guard Command.
Wiraka attended alongside defence attaches, staff officers and other diplomatic personnel.
The frigate’s combat systems were modernised under a contract awarded by the Royal Thai Navy to Swedish defence firm Saab in June 2011.
The package comprised the 9LV MK4 combat management system, Sea Giraffe AMB surveillance radar, CEROS 200 fire-control radar, EOS 500 electro-optical tracking system and tactical data links for communication with Erieye airborne early warning aircraft.
US-made Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM) and associated modern guided-missile systems were subsequently fitted.
HTMS Naresuan also regularly escorts the flagship helicopter carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet.
The ship is one of two Naresuan-class guided-missile frigates built in China to an improved Type 053 design.
It entered Royal Thai Navy service in 1995.
At full load, HTMS Naresuan displaces 2,985 tonnes.
The vessel is 120.5 metres long and 13.7 metres across the beam, with a maximum speed of 32 knots and an operational range of 4,000 nautical miles.
Before arriving in Vietnam, HTMS Naresuan participated in Exercise Kakadu in Sydney, hosted by the Royal Australian Navy.
Another Royal Thai Navy vessel, HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan, made a six-day goodwill visit to Ho Chi Minh City from May 18 to 23 earlier this year.
Source: Vietnam News
