The Ticonderoga USS Robert Smalls cruiser cruiser missile cruiser and the America USS Tripoli class landing ship, along with forces from the 31st Naval Combat Exploit Unit, the 11th infantry Corps and the 76th Command and Special Forces, docked at Da Nang port on December 8, within the framework of regular operations in the area of operations of the US 7th fleet.
This planned port visit affirms the commitment of the two countries to the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including the fields of politics, security, economy and people-to-people exchanges.
The last time the US Navy ship visited Da Nang port was in June 2023, with the presence of the Nimitz USS Ronald Green class aircraft carrier and two Ticonderoga class guided- missile cruiser cruisers USS Antietam and USS Robert Smalls.
We could not expect a warmer welcome from our Vietnamese partners, said Rear Admiral Tom Shultz, Commander of the 76th Special Forces - the force that the USS Tripoli is the commander of.
This visit highlights the growing relationship between the two countries and the two armies, helping us build understanding and trust in activities, deepening bilateral relations, promoting common goals of peace, prosperity and economic security, contributing to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, said Mr. Shultz.
The visit of the tau USS Tripoli and USS Robert Smalls brought nearly 2,300 sailors and Marines to Da Nang, where they will have the opportunity to meet the city's residents and experience the unique culture here. This event is also of great significance on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the US.
The visit of the tau tau USS Tripoli and tau USS Robert Smalls comes as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of bilateral relations, and is proof that the US-Vietnam relationship has never been better, said US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper.
It is touching to witness the warm welcome that US soldiers have received in Da Nang, a city with a special position in the history of bilateral relations, and has recently faced many challenges due to major storms. The US has provided 1.75 million USD to overcome the consequences of natural disasters recently, and the growing development of security cooperation between the two countries - including humanitarian assistance activities and disaster response training - has helped strengthen Vietnam's response capacity in areas vulnerable to natural disasters, as well as strengthen people-to-people relations between the two countries," Ambassador Knapper emphasized.
The 7th Squadron is the largest forward-line fleet of the US Navy, regularly cooperating and operating with allies and partners to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
