ĐÀ NẴNG – An aircraft carrier-led group of the US Navy ships docked in Tiên Sa port yesterday, beginning their first-ever visit to Việt Nam’s central city of Đà Nẵng.

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 Lâm 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 Việt Nam.

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. 

“It’s significant in the relationship between Đà Nẵng and the US and for Việt Nam at large. The visit of the group of US ships is a chance to show off the possibility of logistics supplying and services of Đà Nẵng city,” Minh said.

“The US and Việt Nam have had successful co-operation in the Pacific Partnership programmes in recent years and Việt Nam has hosted several navy ships from the US,” Minh said.

“The visit marks an enormously significant milestone in our bilateral relations and demonstrate US support for a strong, prosperous and independent Việt Nam,” said US ambassador to Việt Nam, Daniel Kritenbrink.

Crew members of USS ships are welcomed at a ceremony in Tiên Sa Port of Đà Nẵng. — VNS Photo Công Thành

“Through hard work, mutual respect and by continuing to address the past while we work toward a better future, we have gone from former enemies to close partners.”

During the visit, representatives of commanders of the US Navy ships will pay courtesy calls to leaders of Đà Nẵng City, the Commander of the Việt Nam Navy and the High Command of the Naval Zone 3. 
US officers and sailors will join community activities in Đà Nẵng, 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 Việt Nam 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 Việt Nam’s role and stature in the region and the world, contributing to popularising the country and people. 
The ships will leave Tiên Sa port on March 9.—VNS