A US Naval destroyer will visit Vietnam, this month, as part of the annual military exchange between the two countries, the US Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City said in a press release.

 

USS Chung-Hoon DDG 93 will land at Tien Sa Port, Da Nang, on July 15. More than 270 crew members will join with Vietnamese Navy in community projects in Da Nang and training courses for research and rescue, as well as underwater damage estimations.

 

The missile-armed destroyer was launched in 2002 and is a member of the Pacific Fleet.

 

It is currently participating in military exercises with the Philippines’ Navy in the Sulu waters–east of the East Sea. The 11-day maneuvers, which aim to develop the navies’ security capacities, include information sharing, patrol, artillery shelling and anti-piracy tactical exercises.

 

During a press conference held last month, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga said the US Navy visit was part of a scheduled annual activity designed to enhance cooperation between the two navies.

 

Last August, the USS John S. McCain visited Da Nang, marking the 15th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relationships. The US Navy also visited Vietnam twice in 2008.

 

In 2009, a Vietnamese delegation visited the US aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis for the first time. A similar visit was made, last year, to the USS George Washington.