On Monday, the US naval ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4), with 300 officers and sailors on board, and domestic hospital ship Khanh Hoa 01, docked at Da Nang’s Tien Sa Port to participate in the 2017 Pacific Partnership programme (PP17) in the city.

Some Da Nang leaders and USNS Fall River officers

The domestic and foreign guests were welcomed by Da Nang’s leaders, along with representatives from the Vietnamese and US ministries of Foreign Affairs, and Defence.

During his reception on the same day for US Naval Major Greg Dusetzina, who is in charge of PP17 in Viet Nam, municipal People's Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh expressed his delight at the fruitful results from numerous bilateral cooperative programmes with some US localities over recent years.

Vice Chairman Minh also highlighted the efficiency of the implementation of the annual US Navy-led PP programmes since 2014 through the organisation of such meaningful activities as humanitarian aid, disaster relief and community culture. 

The hospital ship Khanh Hoa 01

Major Dusetzina affirmed that PP17 would help Da Nang enhance its capacity for providing medical examinations and treatment, humanitarian assistance and natural disaster relief.  The programme would offer a chance for participating countries to deepen their friendship and cooperative relations, he added.

PP17 is taking place in Da Nang from 8 - 18 May with the participation of representatives from Viet Nam, the USA, Japan, Australia, the UK, Canada, India, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

This is the 8^th time the programme has been held in Viet Nam and the 4^th consecutive year in Da Nang.

The 10-day event will focus on conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities in the city, including providing medical examinations for locals, upgrading the Hoa Lien Kindergarten and the Hoa Hai medical station, and exchanging professional skills with local military medical staff.

As part of PP17, musical exchanges will be also organised in the city.  In addition, a workshop will be held, with a focus on sharing knowledge and experience in humanitarian aid, relief work and field practice.  

After Da Nang, the programme will be organised in Khanh Hoa Province.