US Navy flagship begins five-day Vietnam visit

The Blue Ridge arrived at around 1 p.m. carrying over 1,000 officers and personnel. The ship was also accompanied by the U.S. Coast Guard vessel, the Waesche.

The ships docked at Cam Ranh International Port.

Vietnam’s naval forces, coast guards and other authorities were present at the site to receive the vessels. Marc Knapper, the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, was also present at the reception ceremony.

During the five-day visit, U.S. naval personnel will meet officials from the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee, as well as members of the local navy. They will engage in athletic exchanges with the Vietnamese navy and coast guards, and they will also take part in discussions with the units under Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense.

The Khanh Hoa Department of Foreign Affairs said the visit would help maintain the friendly relations and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the U.S., for the sake of peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

The USS Blue Ridge, spanning 194 m in length and 33 m in width, is considered the flagship of the Seventh Fleet of the U.S. Navy. It has a maximum speed of 20 nautical miles per hour, and is equipped with modern computer and communication systems. It has visited Vietnam twice previously, in 2009 and 2012.