HANOI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Three ships of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will visit Vietnam's southern Ho Chi Minh City on March 3-7 to strengthen bilateral navy ties, local newspaper Young People reported Wednesday.

    The ships, named Yamayuki, Matsuyuki and Hamayuki will dock at the Saigon Port. The upcoming ship visit aims at fostering exchange and understanding between the navies of Vietnam and Japan.

    In another development, Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet met with visiting Admiral Sureesh Mehta, chief of the Army Staff Committee of India, on Tuesday, the newspaper said.