Crew members and officers of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge and US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche have engaged in many cultural and community activities during a port call in the central province of Khanh Hoa from July 8 to 11, VNA reported.
Visiting an orphanage in Cam Phuoc Dong commune in Cam Ranh city on July 11 morning, they talked to and joined over 70 children in various activities such as re-painting equipment at the playground, painting figurines, and performing music.
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| US sailors decorate the clay statues with children in Khanh Hoa. Source: Khanh Hoa newspaper |
Nguyen Thanh Binh, born in 2009, currently living at Nhan Ai Shelter, said he was happy to paint statues with American sailors, sing many songs in English, and receive candy from the sailors.
Traja Jordan, a sailor of the USS Blue Ridge, said it was a pleasure to participate in interactions with the children at Nhan Ai Shelter. They are very cute and sociable, he shared.
Lieutenant junior grade Sarah Merrill from the US Navy’s 7th Fleet appreciated Vietnamese people’s warm welcome for them, saying community activities during the visit were successful and the exchange with locals in Khanh Hoa was a way to help build up the friendship between the two countries’ peoples.
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| US sailors repaint the playground equipment at Nhan Ai Shelter. Source: Khanh Hoa newspaper |
Vice Admiral Fred W. Kacher, Commander of the 7th Fleet, noted many Vietnamese-origin people working on the two ships had a chance to visit their relatives in Khanh Hoa on this occasion.
He also thanked units and forces for creating conditions for the successful visit and community exchanges.
Shortly after arriving at Cam Ranh International Port on July 8 evening, the 7th Fleet Band performed to serve tourists and locals in Nha Trang city.
Musicians and singers from the band of the USS Blue Ridge performed songs such as Let's go crazy; Separate ways; Hotel California; I wish; I'm still standing; Just chill, to name a few.
Taking place for more than one hour, the program attracted a large number of people and tourists to watch and respond. This was an activity within the delegation's social visit program to Khanh Hoa province.
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| The 7th Fleet Band performs to serve tourists and locals in Nha Trang city. Source: Viet Nam - USA magazine |
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| US Sailor Exchanges with a Vietnamese student. Source: Khanh Hoa newspaper |
On July 10, the ships’ crew members participated in a cultural and linguistic exchange at the University of Khanh Hoa in Nha Trang.
At the program, the US Navy band performed for students of Khanh Hoa University; and introduced the life of sailors on board the 7th Fleet to the host. The event left many beautiful impressions on the students as well as the sailors in the delegation, and was also an opportunity for both sides to exchange and connect to learn about the country, people, culture and achievements in building each other's country; as well as the long-term relationship between the people of Viet Nam and the US.
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| Leaders of University of Khanh Hoa present gift to the US sailors. Source: Khanh Hoa newspaper |
The US Navy’s 7th Fleet flagship arrived at Cam Ranh International Port on July 8, starting a five-day visit to Khanh Hoa.
Leaders of the Naval Region 4 of the Viet Nam People's Navy and Coast Guard Region 3, along with representatives of Khanh Hoa province and other Vietnamese agencies held a welcome ceremony for the visiting US crews.
Later on the same day, Commander of the 7th Fleet and leaders of the ships paid a courtesy call to leaders of the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee.
During the port visit, leaders of the 7th Fleet, USS Blue Ridge and CGC Waesche will also meet with the leaderships of the Viet Nam People’s Navy and the Viet Nam Coast Guard.
As the 7th Fleet flagship, Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the US Navy. This is the second time USS Blue Ridge has come to Viet Nam since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1995.
Source: Vietnamtimes
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