USS George Washington Arrives in Da Nang, First Carrier Visit to Vietnam since 2023

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) pulled into Da Nang today for a scheduled port visit, marking the first American aircraft carrier to Vietnam since 2023.

George Washington and its two escorts – Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) and Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86) – pulled into Vietnam’s third-largest port this morning.

This is the fourth time Washington’s carrier strike groups have visited the Southeast Asian country, which has become increasingly prevalent amid competition between the U.S. and China. Since the first visit of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in 2018, Da Nang has hosted USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). Last year amphibious warship Japan-based USS Tripoli (LHA-7) made a port visit.

“While our ship represents the high-end capabilities of the U.S. Navy, our visit here to Vietnam supports a U.S.-Vietnam relationship that continues to grow stronger across an increasingly broad range of subjects, reflecting our shared interest in a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Capt. Nicholas DeLeo, commanding officer of George Washington, saidin a release.

During the strike group’s time in Vietnam, American sailors will conduct several goodwill activities around Da Nang.

A Navy release also highlighted the arrival of George Washington in the context of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a type of agreement from Vietnam that designates a country of significant interest to Hanoi in economics and security. Hung Cao, the Acting Secretary of the Navy, also visited Vietnam last month.

With recent developments in the region, Vietnam has bolstered its defense and security cooperation with several partners. While Washington’s efforts involve port visits and training activities, Hanoi has turned to India for supersonic anti-ship missiles and fast attack craft. Tokyo is exploring plans to develop a fast landing craft with Vietnam.

In the South China Sea, Vietnam is rapidly reclaiming land to reinforce its holdings at several maritime features. Earlier this year, China began developing Antelope Reef into what the Center for Strategic and International Studies describes as potentially the largest development in the disputed waters.