Second US aircraft carrier may visit Vietnam this year
The United States hopes to reach an agreement to send another aircraft carrier to Vietnam this year following the visit of the USS Carl Vinson in March last year, Reuters quoted a senior US defense official as saying on April 3.
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| US Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (Photo: AFP) |
"We have made the first aircraft carrier visit to Vietnam since the Vietnam War and we are very hopeful that we can reach an agreement with the Vietnamese side for a second visit this year," Reuters quoted US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver at an event of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on April 3.
"We are in discussions with the Vietnamese side. We hope that this can become a regular activity that demonstrates the bilateral relationship. It would be a sign of a mature, strategic relationship," Mr. Schriver added.
Mr. Schriver also hopes that the US can hand over a second coast guard ship to help Vietnam ensure maritime security. On April 1, the US handed over six patrol boats worth $12 million to the Vietnam Coast Guard.
The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, the cruiser USS Lake Champlain and the destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer docked at Tien Sa port (Da Nang) on March 5, 2018 during a friendship visit to Vietnam.
According to US Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink, the visit marks an important and symbolic milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries and demonstrates US support for a strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam, with effort, mutual respect, and by addressing past issues while moving toward a better future.
The Carl Vinson aircraft carrier is the third Nimitz-class aircraft carrier of the United States with a crew of 5,000 sailors participating in supporting and conducting operations at sea.
