During the trip, they participated in the 10th Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange, as well as the 40th joint patrol and joint training exercise in the Gulf of Tonkin with the People’s Liberation Army Navy of China.
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Frigate 015-Tran Hung Dao returns to Cam Ranh Naval Base on the morning of March 22. |
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A welcome ceremony for the crews held at Cam Ranh Naval Base |
After taking part in activities within the framework of the 10th Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange at Fangcheng Port (Guangxi, China), at noon on March 19, the Vietnamese ship formation of 015 and 012, together with the Chinese Ships 568 and 627, formed a joint formation and commenced joint patrol and training operations in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Both sides conducted patrols along eight routes, passing through nine designated points, covering a total distance of 247 nautical miles over 28 hours. They also carried out various training drills, including formation maneuvering, maritime escort, light signaling, anti-piracy operations, search and rescue, and ship damage control.
A new feature of this joint training session between the Vietnamese and Chinese navies was the organization of live-fire exercises using small arms in the anti-piracy drill.
Ships from both sides coordinated closely, effectively handling scenarios aligned with the training content, while ensuring absolute safety for personnel, weapons, and equipment.
Upon completion of the mission, ships from both countries conducted a formal at-sea farewell in accordance with regulations. Commanding officers of the two ship formations also exchanged messages of appreciation to their respective chains-of-commands and participating crews for the successful joint patrol and training mission.
Captain Pham Anh Tuan, Second-in-Command and Chief of Staff of Brigade 162, Naval Region 4, assessed that the joint patrol and training exercise not only demonstrated the mastery of weapons and technical equipment, operational readiness, and close coordination between the Vietnamese and Chinese navies, but also served as vivid evidence of effective defense cooperation between the two countries, contributing to ensuring maritime security and safety, and maintaining a peaceful and stable maritime environment.
Below are photos of the joint patrol and training mission between the Vietnamese and Chinese navies:
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Vietnamese and Chinese ships conduct formation maneuvering at sea. |
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The chain-of-command aboard Ship 015 directs formation maneuvering at sea. |
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Chinese Ships 568 and 627 conduct formation maneuvering drills. |
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Ship 012 performs maritime escort content. |
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Officers and sailors of Ships 015 and 012 participate in light signaling. |
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Crew-members aboard Ship 015 prepare weapons and equipment for live-fire anti-piracy drills. |
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Gunners operating 14.5mm guns during the live-fire exercise |
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Practicing rescue contents |
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Officers and sailors aboard Ship 015 performing the content of ship damage control |
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Officers and soldiers from the two countries saluting after completing the joint patrol and training mission in the Gulf of Tonkin |
Translated by Tran Hoai