On Monday morning, the Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) docked at the Tien Sa Port to begin a 5-day friendship visit to Da Nang.  The visit is part of the 6^th annual Naval Exchange Activity (NEA) between US and Vietnamese naval forces.

In the afternoon of the same day, the Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman, Mr Phung Tan Viet, warmly received a group of the ships’ naval officers, led by Vietnamese-American Captain Le Ba Hung, the Deputy Commander of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7.

A representative from the Viet Nam People’s Navy presenting flowers to Captain Hung (front right)

Having last visited Da Nang in November 2009, Captain Hung expressed his delight at returning to the city, and he thanked the city leaders and local residents for their warm welcome.  The guest also remarked that this is the 10^th time that US naval ships have visited the city, and he highlighted the vital role of maritime security in trade activities.  As a result, he added, the US and Vietnamese navies are increasing their naval exchange activities in order to maintain security, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

The USS Fort Worth (LCS-3)

In reply, Vice Chairman Viet said that he would like the navy and non-governmental organisations in the USA to continue their support for humanitarian projects in Da Nang.  A focus will be on continuing to implement the “Removal of Dioxin Contamination at the Da Nang International Airport” project, providing assistance to local disabled people, as well as giving funds to the city’s Centre for Early Warnings and Mitigation of Storms and Floods.

The city leader also remarked that China has recently increased its illegal activities in Viet Nam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago.  This has seriously violated Viet Nam's sovereignty over the islands, changed the status quo on the archipelago, made the situation in the East Sea more complicated and stressful, and threatened peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

He took the opportunity to ask Captain Hung and the US government to raise their voices against China's illegal actions as well as support Viet Nam’s legal and legitimate claims over its territorial waters. 

The USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62)