US Navy’s USS George Washington delegation experience local life in Da Nang

The strike group includes the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington, the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), and the guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86).

At 1:00 pm on Monday, a bus operated by Visit Indochina Company brought a group of 16 officers, sailors, and civilian personnel from the USS George Washington strike group to visit and shop at the Non Nuoc stone carving village in Da Nang.

After spending several hours ashore, members of the delegation remained enthusiastic, enjoying their time in the coastal city.

One member said personnel arriving at Tien Sa Port could either join organized tours provided by the travel company or explore the city independently.

A crew member told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper while shopping for souvenirs at the Non Nuoc stone carving village that Vietnam was very safe and wonderful. 

The crew member added that Visit Indochina had taken the group to a seaside restaurant that afternoon to sample mi Quang, and that they had found it fascinating to learn that the noodle dish was a local specialty.

Nguyen Son Thuy, director of Visit Indochina Company, said the company had welcomed nearly 1,000 sailors on sightseeing tours in Da Nang over the past four days.

To promote the city's culture and identity, the company designed four themed tours focusing on local culture, history, and daily life to offer visitors authentic experiences of the destination.

Visitors enjoyed local dishes such as banh xeo (Vietnamese sizzling cake), mi Quang, salted coffee, and coconut ice cream.

They also visited iconic attractions such as Hai Van Gate, Marble Mountains, downtown Da Nang, and traditional markets like Con Market and Han Market.

Travelers were also introduced to local crafts, including Nam O fish sauce village, and experienced the city’s vibrant street culture by sitting at a sidewalk café and enjoying cold beer.

Thuy described the visit as an ideal opportunity to showcase Da Nang as a safe destination with friendly residents, well-developed tourism infrastructure, and diverse travel experiences.

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.