2 Vietnamese frigates to join joint patrol with Chinese navy in Gulf of Tonkin

The Vietnam People’s Navy will deploy frigates 015 Tran Hung Dao and 012 Ly Thai To of Brigade 162 (Naval Region 4) to participate in activities, including operational coordination meetings, formation maneuvers, maritime escort drills, anti-piracy exercises, and search-and-rescue cooperation.

The Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday held a press briefing in Hanoi to introduce the 10th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange.

The upcoming exchange aims to realize high-level common perceptions between the two Parties and countries on deepening substantive defense cooperation, said Colonel Do Duy Chinh, deputy head of the Department of Information and Education under the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army.

In addition, the exchange is expected to strengthen friendship and solidarity, and promote practical collaboration among border protection forces, local authorities, and people in border areas, contributing to building a border of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation, and development.

A highlight of the exchange will be the joint patrol and joint training between the two navies in the Gulf of Tonkin to enhance coordination and maritime security management.

Lieutenant Colonel Ly Nguyen Binh, deputy head of the Navy’s Information and Education Division, revealed that the joint naval activities will include a planning meeting, briefings for the defense ministers of the two countries, mutual ship visits, and a joint departure ceremony before the patrol begins.

Officers and sailors from both sides will also board each other’s vessels to observe operations and exchange professional experience.

“This is an annual activity, which plays a key role in strengthening solidarity and friendship between the navies of the two countries, as well as between the militaries and peoples of Vietnam and China," Lieutenant Colonel Binh said.

“Through the program, both sides can improve operational capabilities at sea while deepening mutual understanding and expanding defense diplomacy between the two navies."

Border exchange activities planned on both sides

A series of activities are scheduled on both sides of the Vietnam-China border during the exchange.

In Vietnam, ceremonies welcoming and seeing off the Chinese delegation will be held at the Mong Cai International Border Gate in Quang Ninh Province on March 18.

Other events will be a friendship tree-planting ceremony, the groundbreaking of a friendship medical station in Hai Son Commune, visits to Tran Phu High School and the Tra Co Border Guard Station, as well as bilateral talks.

On March 19 in China, the Vietnamese delegation will be welcomed at the Dongxing International Border Gate.

The delegation will also visit a border guard unit, participate in a friendship tree-planting ceremony, and attend the launch of a joint naval patrol and training exercise in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Other activities include visits to the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea historical site and a local enterprise, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Vietnam–China Revolutionary Martyrs’ Memorial.

Various side events will be organized before the exchange.

Military medical teams from both countries will provide free medical examinations and medicines to residents in border areas from March 12 to 16.

The program is expected to benefit some 500 people at each location, including four days of medical services in Vietnam and one day in China.

As many as 100 scholarships will be granted to disadvantaged students, while breeding cattle will be donated to 50 needy households in border areas.

A review of the twinning program between border communities of the two countries will also be held.