Da Nang People’s Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho, on Monday, played host to a group of representatives from the US Navy’s 7^th Fleet in the Pacific, led by Vice Admiral Philip G. Sawyer, along with US Ambassador to Viet Nam Daniel Kritenbrink.

Chairman Tho (right) warmly receiving Vice Admiral Philip G. Sawyer (Photo: Trong Hung)

The reception took place within the framework of the ongoing historic port call to the city from 5 - 9 March made by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson which is being accompanied by the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain and the destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer.

During his meeting with the US guests, Chairman Tho highly applauded the landmark city visit by the USS Carl Vinson.  The city leader also spoke highly of the fruitful results from bilateral exchange programmes for deepening the friendship between the 2 countries.

The US is amongst the largest group of foreign investors in Da Nang, with about 50 projects, worth over 500 million USD in total, covering various aspects.

Over recent year, appeals for US investment have made via business trips to the US made by representatives from the Da Nang authorities.

Notably, the US has become one of Da Nang’s biggest official development assistance (ODA) providers. 

A large amount of US aid has poured into transport systems and infrastructure facilities, humanitarian and charity programmes across the city, the environmental remediation of dioxin contamination at the international airport.  In addition, assistance has been given to the disabled, and to boost exchange activities, cultural and economic cooperation in the locality.

Chairman Tho (1st row, centre) and his US guests from the US Navy’s 7th Fleet in the Pacific (Photo: Trong Hung)

In reply, Philip G. Sawyer said he was deeply impressed by the city’s beautiful landscapes, especially its successful hosting of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week 2017.

The US naval officer also remarked the visit by the US aircraft carrier clearly demonstrates the increasingly dynamic all-faceted relationship between the 2 countries over recent years. 

He added that the visit shows that the 2 countries shared a number of common interests in the region, especially maintaining peace, stability, security and prosperity, especially the enhancement of regional stability, peace, freedom of navigation and the compliance with international law.