On Monday, the US Navy Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), accompanied by the joint high-speed vessel USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3), docked at Da Nang’s Tien Sa Port to begin an 12-day visit to the city.  The visit is part of the Pacific Partnership 2015 (PP15).

During their stay in the city, over 1,000 military and civilian members aboard both ships will join their hosts from the Viet Nam People’s Navy in many activities.  Included are health seminars on common diseases, orthopaedic surgery, health care for soldiers, and disaster relief.

Representatives from the Viet Nam People’s Navy presenting flowers to their US guests

In addition, the US guests will take part in various charitable activities across the city.  These include offering free oral health care services to poor people in Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Nhon and Hoa Phong communes, and helping to upgrade the Hoa Quy Ward Medical Station in Ngu Hanh Son District and the Hy Vong (Hope) Village which is home to local poor, disabled and orphaned children.

Doctors aboard the USNS Mercy will undertake, free-of-charge, 15 to 20 hip and knee joint replacements, 25 to 30 cardiovascular operations, and some plastic surgery for local patients.

On 27 August, the naval forces of Viet Nam and the USA will jointly take part in large-scale rescue exercises at sea, including how to save drowning victims and how to give them first aid.  Sporting events involving the US guests, students from the University of Da Nang, and government employees from the Office of the municipal People's Committee are also scheduled to take place.  The US Navy’s 7^th Fleet band, Orient Express, will give a public performance at 7.00pm on 22 August on the eastern side of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge.

Captain Christopher Engdahl (left) and Vice Chairman Viet

On Monday afternoon, the Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman, Mr Phung Tan Viet, warmly received a group of the ships’ naval officers, led by Captain Christopher Engdahl the Mission Commander for PP15.

Vice Chairman Viet spoke highly of the humanitarian significance and efficiency of PP15.  He took the opportunity to ask the US government to provide more active support for Da Nang, and Viet Nam as a whole, in such aspects as health care, education, search and rescue work, and how to mitigate natural disasters.

In reply, Captain Engdahl remarked that the visit would help to deepen the bilateral comprehensive partnership and friendly relations between the USA and Viet Nam, and Da Nang in particular.