The guests and the local leaders take a photo at Chi Minh City port. (photo: Ho Le)

At the welcoming ceremony, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro said the visit by the patrol ship ITS Morosini contributes to strengthening the friendly ties between the Italian Navy and the Vietnamese Navy, as well as boosting defence relations between the two countries.

Officers and sailors of the ITS Morosini ship will join sports exchanges with officers and soldiers of Region 2 of the Vietnamese Navy, and conducting a passage exercise with Vietnamese navy ships.

They are expected to pay a courtesy visit to the leaders of the southern city’s People's Committee, the Military Region 7 Command, and a number of historical and cultural relics in the city.

During their stay, a number of cultural and sports exchanges will be held including a photo exhibition on political, diplomatic, and economic relations and a workshop on cruise and marinas with the participation of representatives of the Italian Maritime Industry Association, as well as experts and architects of the two countries.