Members of the delegation explore Hoi An ancient town on May 17, two days after arriving at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang for a four-day friendship visit.
The delegation visits the Hoi An Folk Culture Museum, learning about the architecture and living spaces inside centuries-old houses in the ancient town.
The delegation listens to stories about the "song" – a type of boat used for shrimp fishing in Hoi An – and learned about the traditional crafts of the local people.
Raymond Hnatyshin, a member of the delegation, touches a piece of silk, a once-famous trading commodity of the Hoi An trading port.
Inside the museum, the crew had the opportunity to experience making traditional Hoi An lanterns.
The craft has a history of approximately 400 years and was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024.
As the first member of the group to complete his lantern, Jared Drury said he enjoys making handicrafts with his wife at home. He plans to bring the lantern back to his country as a souvenir for his family.
Drury said the most meaningful part of the activity was being able to immerse himself in the local culture and experience traditional crafts alongside his teammates.
"This was a wonderful experience, and I will recommend it to other tourists when they visit Hoi An," he said.
On her first visit to Hoi An, female sailor Jody Ann (C) was impressed by the beauty and colors of the ancient town.
When participating in lantern-making, she admitted she was a little clumsy and struggled at first. However, with guidance from local artisans, she was eventually able to complete her own lantern.
Before starting the lantern-making process, Hnatyshin said he wanted to create the best piece possible to bring home to his mother.
"I believe this special souvenir from my journey across the ocean to Vietnam will make her proud and happy," he said.
During their visit to Hoi An, the delegation also toured the Japanese Pagoda Bridge, one of the city's most iconic landmarks. In the evening, the sailors took part in a cooking activity where they learned to make Quang noodles, a signature dish of Da Nang.
Throughout the four-day visit, Canadian naval officers and sailors also paid courtesy calls, visited children affected by Agent Orange, and interacted with elderly residents at a local shelter where they presented gifts and support items.
On May 18, the HMCS Charlottetown frigate departed Da Nang.
