Da Nang treats US Navy’s USS George Washington sailors to local specialties

The municipal Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper on Tuesday morning that it had coordinated with travel companies and managers of tourist destinations to provide logistical support for more than 6,000 sailors aboard the USS George Washington during the carrier’s visit to the city from July 30 to August 5.

Late on Monday afternoon, a group of American visitors arrived at Huong Lang Co traditional fish sauce workshop in Nam O, a century-old fish sauce village in Da Nang.

The visitors were guided by staff from Visit Indochina Company to walk through the village’s narrow, interconnected alleys, where only a few people could pass at a time, while observing the traditional lifestyle of the local community.

When they reached a courtyard lined with large ceramic jars used for fermenting fish sauce, the visitors were invited inside to explore and experience the process first-hand.

“I did not know they are sailors and crew members from the USS George Washington,” said Bui Thanh Phu, owner of the Huong Lang Co fish sauce brand.

“I thought they are ordinary tourists, so we simply welcomed them as we normally do.

“Later, I learned that what they wanted was the most authentic and original experience of life in the traditional craft village.

“The visitors really enjoyed the atmosphere at our workshop. My parents also came out to talk with them.”

When they stood beside the fish sauce distillation racks and saw drops of premium fish sauce slowly falling from fermented anchovies, they asked if they could taste a few drops, he recalled.

They touched it, brought it close to their noses, and were amazed by the rich aroma.

During their stay in Da Nang, wherever the USS George Washington crew went, they received warm welcomes from local residents and tourists.

Many sailors said they were surprised by the hospitality.

Several sailors shared that they were impressed by Da Nang’s clean and professional image.

They were even more impressed by the friendliness of local people, who smiled and welcomed them like distant friends arriving from abroad.

Some crew members also praised locals for their ability to ‘speak English well.’

At the Non Nuoc stone carving village on Monday afternoon, employees at souvenir stalls were ready to welcome the American visitors.

Unlike some spontaneous tourist sites where vendors aggressively approach customers, staff members calmly introduced products and offered assistance as visitors explored the area.

“How much is this?” an American sailor asked while holding up a stone bracelet.

The employee responded fluently in English.

After learning that the price was very affordable, the sailor opened his bag and asked the seller to put in as many bracelets as possible.

He wanted to bring them back to the USS George Washington as gifts for his friends and later take them home to the United States as souvenirs for his wife, children, and family.

Over 1,200 USS George Washington sailors choose authentic Da Nang experience

For this visit, the U.S. logistics team responsible for the USS George Washington’s port call selected Visit Indochina Company, a major international travel company headquartered in Da Nang, to organize experiences for the carrier’s crew.

Nguyen Son Thuy, director of the firm, said the company spent nearly a year communicating, preparing staff and vehicles, arranging schedules, and designing itineraries to meet the strict requirements of the delegation.

Based on Da Nang’s tourism strategy of allowing international visitors to experience the city’s most simple, authentic, and distinctive features under the theme ‘Returning to Authentic Da Nang,’ the company proposed ideas to its U.S. partners for the sailors’ tours, Thuy said.

“More than 1,250 USS George Washington crew members registered for the Da Nang experience tours,” he said.

“After leaving the aircraft carrier, they were welcomed by our team, transferred onto five-star tour vehicles, and taken to different destinations.

“When they sat at sidewalk coffee shops, ate coconut ice cream, watched the streets, enjoyed banh xeo (Vietnamese sizzling cake), drank a few cans of Saigon beer, and then learned how to make fish sauce coffee at the traditional Nam O fish sauce village, they were extremely excited.

“They showed special affection for Vietnam.”

With approval from the Vietnamese government, the U.S. Navy carrier strike group arrived at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang on Thursday last week.

The port call runs until Wednesday.

This marks the fourth official visit of a U.S. aircraft carrier to Vietnam, following previous stops in 2018, 2020, and 2023.

The visit is part of broader efforts to strengthen the Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.

It also demonstrates Vietnam’s logistical and technical capacity to host foreign naval vessels while promoting its image as a safe and welcoming destination.