US naval vessels visit central Da Nang city
An aircraft carrier-led group of the US Navy ships docked in Tien Sa port on March 5, beginning their first-ever visit to Vietnam’s central city of Da Nang.
They include the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain, and missile destroyer USS Wayne E.Meyer.
The welcome ceremony was chaired by Director of the municipal Department of External Relations Lam Quang Minh and attended by officers from the Military Zone 5 High Command, the municipal Border Guard Command, the High Command of the Naval Zone 3, and other agencies, together with representatives from the US Embassy and agencies in Vietnam.
Later, Minh together with Vice Admiral Philip G.Sawyer, Commander of the US Navy’s seventh Fleet in the Pacific co-chaired a press conference to introduce the visit’s agenda.
During the visit, representatives of commanders of the US Navy ships will pay courtesy calls to leaders of Da Nang city, the Commander of the Vietnam Navy and the High Command of the Naval Zone 3.
US officers and sailors will join community activities in Da Nang, such as music performances, sport exchange and visits to SOS children’s village, the Sponsor Centre for Agent Orange Victims, the Nursing Centre for the Mentally Ill, the Social Sponsorship Centre, and the Centre for Orphan Children.
They will also share their technical expertise in water and electricity supply, response to disasters, firefighting, health care and personnel training on aircraft and in several local venues.
The visit will contribute to continuing bolstering the relations between Vietnam and the US to match their comprehensive partnership and at the same time to maintaining peace, stability, security, cooperation and development in the region.
The five-day visit is expected to improve Vietnam’s role and stature in the region and the world, contributing to popularising the country and people.
The ships will leave Tien Sa port on March 9.-VNA
