The United States Navy’s 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge docked at Cam Ranh International Port, Khánh Hoà Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Đặng Tuấn

KHÁNH HOÀ — The United States Navy’s 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge and US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche arrived at Cam Ranh International Port in the south-central province of Khánh Hoà on Monday, starting a five-day joint Navy-Coast Guard routine port visit.

The leaders of Naval Region 4 of the Việt Nam People's Navy, Coast Guard Region 3, along with representatives from Khánh Hoà Province and other Việt Nam's authorities held the welcome ceremony for the visiting American crews.

Later on the same day, Commander of the 7th Fleet and leaders of the ships paid a courtesy call to leaders of the Khánh Hoà provincial People’s Committee.

Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Lê Hữu Hoàng emphasised the importance of the US ships’ visit as the US has celebrated the 248th anniversary of its Independence Day (July 4) and the two countries are marking 29 years since the normalisation of diplomatic ties (July 12, 1995 – 2024)

The visit is expected to further promote the friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Việt Nam and the US, he said.

For his part, US Ambassador to Việt Nam Marc Knapper affirmed that Khánh Hoà has organised various activities to contribute to the development of the US-Việt Nam relationship

The US will assist Khánh Hoà in attracting investment, especially in the fields of high technology and tourism, in the coming time, he added.

The welcome ceremony for the US Navy and Coast Guard ships' crew members. — VNA/VNS Photo Đặng Tuấn

During the port visit, 7th Fleet, USS Blue Ridge and CGC Waesche leadership will additionally paid courtesy calls to the leadership of Việt Nam People’s Navy, Việt Nam Coast Guard. Events during the visit include subject matter expert exchanges and community relations activities.

Crew members and the 7th Fleet staff will participate in community relations and cultural events to give back to the community and engage with Khánh Hoà Province's residents to further strengthen bilateral relations in line with Việt Nam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

As the 7th Fleet flagship, Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy. This is the second time the USS Blue Ridge has come to Việt Nam since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1995. — VNS