New Zealand Defence Force Staff College visits Viet Nam

Members of the delegation at the Ministry of National Defence, Ha Noi

The Vietnam Peoples Army (VPA) recently hosted a large delegation from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Command and Staff College as part of their annual Overseas Study Tour.

Twenty-seven students on the Joint Command and Staff Course including 10 foreign students, a NZ Police and a NZ Customs officer, 10 members of the Joint Warrant Officer Advanced Course as well as staff members, an MFAT officer and the Head of Delegation, Commodore Kevin Keat, travelled to Vietnam on the RNZAF Boeing 757 for a visit from 15 to 20 November.

The programme commenced in Ho Chi Minh City, where visits were conducted to the Command of Military Region 7, and the Department of Foreign Affairs where a comprehensive briefing on the development of Vietnam, and HCM City in particular, was provided. Visits to the Cu Chi tunnels, the War Remnants Museum and the Long Tan Cross gave other insights into the recent history of Vietnam.

The tour then proceeded to Hanoi where visits were made to an Air Force fighter base, the Ministry of Defence Headquarters and to the National Defence Academy. A detailed presentation there was followed by a Q & A session and a social function. Additional city visits around Ha Noi gave further insights into the achievements as well as the challenges of this fast developing nation.

The visit follows a port visit by HMNZS TE MANA to Ho Chi Minh City (June 2011) and Bilateral Defence Talks in Wellington (July 2011), which have further strengthened the relationship between the NZDF and VPA.