US to supply one more coast guard ship to Vietnam.

According to Defense Studies, a U.S. bicameral delegation in Hanoi on April 8 said that both the U.S. National Assembly and the Government of this country support upgrading the relationship with Vietnam from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic one. In this framework, the US has provided two coast guard ships to Vietnam, and will soon, after completing detailed procedures, provide one more ship, in the spirit of supporting Vietnam to strengthen security at sea.
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In 2022, a Hamilton-class cutter was assigned to Vietnam's Coast Guard on way home to Vietnam (Picture source: US Embassy in Hanoi)

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley said that the delegation came to Vietnam this time with two missions: promoting the process of resolving war consequences and elevating the Vietnam-US cooperation relationship in various fields, from the East Sea. , climate change to investment cooperation. "In recent years, many U.S. law enforcement officials such as the Secretary of Defense and the Director of USAID have made trips to Vietnam. The presence of our congressional delegation shows both the executive and legislative systems. The U.S. supports the development of the Vietnam-U.S. relationship," said Senator Merkley.

Sharing with reporters about supporting maritime security for Vietnam, Mr. Merkley said that developments in the East Sea are related to Vietnam's security. This is the reason that the United States has transferred to Vietnam coast guard ships over the years, and is continuing to come here.

In 2022, the United States decided to provide Vietnam with a series of coast guard ships to help enhance the country's maritime security capabilities. The move was seen as a significant step forward in the relationship between the two countries, particularly given the difficult history between the United States and Vietnam in the past.

The handover of the coast guard ships was a major event, with representatives from both countries attending a ceremony to mark the occasion. The vessels themselves were state-of-the-art, equipped with the latest navigation and communication technology, as well as advanced weapons systems.

The decision to provide Vietnam with the coast guard ships was part of a broader effort by the United States to deepen its ties with Southeast Asia, particularly as tensions continue to rise in the South China Sea. The move was also seen as a way for the United States to counter China's increasing influence in the region, which has been a growing concern for many countries in Southeast Asia.

For Vietnam, the acquisition of the coast guard ships was a significant boost to its maritime security capabilities. The country has a long coastline and a large exclusive economic zone, which has been subject to increasing incursions by foreign vessels in recent years. The new vessels provided by the United States would help Vietnam to better protect its maritime borders and ensure the safety of its fishermen and other maritime activities.

Vietnam Coast Guard is purposed to perform search and rescue duties, along with their duties of combating and preventing smuggling, piracy, and trade fraud in Vietnamese waters. Until 2013, it was a branch of Vietnam's military, the Vietnam People's Army, and falls under the management of the Vietnam Ministry of National Defence. Since August 27, 2013, it has been transferred under the direct management of the Government of Vietnam, and has also changed its name from Vietnam Marine Police (VMP) to the current Vietnam Coast Guard name. Since its creation in the late 1990s, the Vietnam Coast Guard plays an important role in maintaining sea security and protection of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf boundary. It has dispatched forces in waters in overlapping areas between Vietnam and foreign countries, providing protection and assistance to local fishermen when necessary.