The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and the guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) docked at the Tien Sa Port in Da Nang on Thursday afternoon for 5-day friendly visit. The US navy vessels carry a combined total of over 11,500 naval officers and sailors to Da Nang.

The US naval officers and men receiving a warm welcome from Vice Chairman Minh (right)

The visit by the US naval ships aims to mark the 25^th anniversary of the Viet Nam - USA diplomatic ties.

The US guests were welcomed by Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh, along with representatives from the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs, the Military Zone 5, and the Naval High Command.

Also present at the welcome ceremony for the US naval personnel were US Ambassador to Viet Nam Daniel Kritenbrink, and Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet John C. Aquilino.

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt

The US diplomat Daniel Kritenbrink said that USS Theodore Roosevelt has been the second aircraft carrier from this country to visit Viet Nam since the end of the Viet Nam War after the first aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) arrived in Da Nang in 2018.

Col Brett Crozier, Commander of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, remarked that the visit highlighted growing bilateral relations between the naval forces of Viet Nam and the USA, and the renewed bilateral relationship between Da Nang with US localities.

“We are honoured to be present at this important visit and receive a warm welcome from Da Nang’s leaders and representatives from the Vietnamese military personnel”, Colonel Brett Crozier said at the welcome ceremony.

The guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill

In his remarks at the event, Vice Chairman Minh said he hoped that the US guests would have wonderful time and unforgettable experience during their 5-day visit to Da Nang.

Commander John C. Aquilino thanked the city leaders and its residents for their warm welcome for the US officers and sailors. He also said that he felt very secure with the city’s precautionary measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus into the city during his stay in the city.

The Bunker Hill is the U.S. Navy's 6th Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser and is equipped with the below-deck, advanced MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS), a multiwarfare missile-launching system capable of striking targets in the air, on and under the ocean surface, and on land.

Over the 5-day visit, the US military personnel will pay courtesy calls on the city's leaders and the Naval Region 3 High Command, join cultural and sports exchange activities in the city, and visit local attractions.

The US navy personnel will give tours aboard the US aircraft carrier for municipal government officials and reporters. However, Vietnamese visitors will be required to check for Covid-19, and anyone who recently travelled through or returned from China or came in contact with coronavirus patients will not be allowed on board.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt is the fourth Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier in the United States Navy. As a class they currently are the largest nuclear powered capital ships in service not only in the USN but in the world.

By NGOC PHU – Translated by MAI DUNG