US Coast Guard Cutter visits HCM City to strengthen maritime cooperation
VOV.VN - The US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Bertholf arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on November 1 for a five-day visit aimed at strengthening cooperation and mutual understanding between the Vietnam Coast Guard and US maritime law enforcement forces.
The vessel, commanded by Captain Andrew Pate and carrying 150 officers and crew members, docked at Saigon Gateway Port with the approval of Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence.
The welcoming ceremony was attended by representatives of Military Region 7, Naval Region 2, the Ministry of National Defence and Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of External Relations. The US delegation included Ambassador to Vietnam Jennifer Wicks, the acting US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City and representatives of the US defence cooperation office in Vietnam.
The visit provides an opportunity for Vietnam and the United States to deepen defence cooperation and promote exchanges, friendship and mutual understanding between their coast guards.
During the five-day programme, the Bertholf’s commanding officers are scheduled to pay courtesy calls on leaders of Coast Guard Region 3 Command and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee. The crew will also visit the Vietnam Coast Guard vessel CSB 8001, take part in friendly sports activities with Coast Guard Region 3 personnel, exchange views on issues of mutual interest and conduct joint maritime training.
The ship’s officers and crew are also expected to visit several local attractions.
Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Colonel Nguyen Duc Hieu, Deputy Commander for Legal Affairs of Coast Guard Region 3 Command, described the visit as a practical contribution to strengthening friendship, mutual understanding and trust between the two countries’ maritime law enforcement forces.
He said the visit reflected both sides’ commitment to developing bilateral cooperation in a deeper, more substantive and effective manner.
US Ambassador Jennifer Wicks noted that the visit coincides with the 250th anniversary of US independence and the third anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. She added that it offered an opportunity to further advance cooperation in maritime security.
Following the ceremony, the US Embassy delegation and the Bertholf’s commanding officers paid a courtesy call on Coast Guard Region 3 Command, where the two sides discussed areas of mutual interest, focusing on activities involving the US Coast Guard and the Vietnam Coast Guard during the vessel’s stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
Colonel Tran Xuan Luong, Commander of Coast Guard Region 3, highlighted the practical importance of cooperation between the maritime law enforcement forces of Vietnam and the United States. He noted that the development of bilateral relations created favourable conditions for the two sides to strengthen contacts, exchange experience and improve their operational capabilities.
Thai naval vessel makes goodwill visit to Ho Chi Minh City
The Royal Thai Navy’s H.T.M.S. Naresuan (FFG 421), led by Rear Admiral Borworn Phromkaewngam, Deputy Director of the Royal Thai Naval Academy, docked at Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi International Port in Ho Chi Minh City on August 25, beginning a goodwill visit to the city from August 25 to 29.
