French frigate Prairial begins six-day friendly visit to Da Nang
VOV.VN - France’s Floreal-class frigate Prairial docked at Tien Sa Port, Da Nang city on November 14, starting a six-day friendly visit to strengthen Vietnam–France defence cooperation.
This visit is part of the annual naval exchange and cooperation activities between the two countries, in line with efforts to enhance defence cooperation in particular and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and France in general.
The welcoming ceremony was attended by representatives from the Da Nang Department of Foreign Affairs, Military Region 5 Command, Naval Region 3 Command, Coast Guard Region 2 Command, and the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Ministry of National Defence.
The French side was led by Lieutenant Colonel Wallerand Faivre D’Arcier, Commander of the frigate, Marie Keller, Chargé d’affaires of the French Embassy, and Etienne Ranaivoson, French Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City.
During the visit, the Prairial’s command officers will hold courtesy meetings with leaders of the Da Nang People’s Committee, Military Region 5, and Naval Region 3. Officers and sailors from both sides will engage in professional exchanges, sports activities with Vietnamese Navy and Coast Guard personnel, and visit several cultural and historical sites in the city.
The visit aims to enhance mutual understanding, maintain dialogue, and implement maritime cooperation activities, thereby promoting peace, stability, security, and maritime safety in the region. It also serves to showcase Da Nang as a tourist destination to the international community and create opportunities for people-to-people exchanges and broader cooperation.
The Prairial carries 93 crew members, measures 93.5 meters in length and 14 meters in width, and has a displacement of nearly 3,000 tonnes. It is equipped with a 100mm forward gun and a helicopter landing pad at the stern for operational flexibility.