Le Vendémiaire, a cruiser of the French Navy, arrived at Tien Sa Port in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang on Wednesday for a six-day working visit, including a joint training drill at sea, local authorities reported.

The ship’s crew of 95 officers and sailors, led by Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Lopez, were received by representatives from the Da Nang administration, the High Command of Naval Zone 3, and the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense, among others.

During their stay from November 4 to 9, the French guests were scheduled to pay courtesy visits to leaders of the municipal People’s Committee.

French naval officers will invite their Vietnamese counterparts, local residents and French people living in Da Nang to tour their ship.

A Vietnamese naval officer (R) shakes hands with his French counterpart at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang City on November 4, 2015. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The guests and Vietnamese officers from the High Command of Naval Zone 3 and the High Command of Military Zone 5 will exchange experience in maritime operations.

The ship’s force and some units of Naval Zone 3 will also conduct a joint training drill at sea.

The French naval officers will join in with friendly volleyball and football matches with their counterparts from the Naval Zone 3.

An artillery gun is seen on board the French Navy cruiser Le Vendemiaire. Photo: Tuoi Tre

In addition, the guests will visit attractions in Da Nang, Hoi An, Quang Nam and Hue, Nhan Dan (The People) newspaper reported.

At a press briefing at the port upon arrival, Lt. Col. Lopez said the purpose of the visit is to strengthen and develop the cooperative relations between the French Navy and the Vietnam People’s Navy.

He also said that the main duty of the ship is to be present in all areas in the Pacific and to strengthen the ties and cooperation between France and Pacific coastal countries.

The ship will also take part in rescue and salvage activities at sea when necessary, the French official added.

French naval officers are seen at a press briefing held at Tien Sa Port upon their arrival on November 4, 2015. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The cruiser is 93.5 meters long, 14 meters wide and 37.1 meters tall. It has a maximum load of 2,500 tons. 

The warship is equipped with a helicopter and advanced weapons, including a 100mm artillery gun, two ship-to-ship missiles, two 20mm F2 machine guns and four 12.7mm machine guns.

The ongoing visit to Da Nang by the cruiser is the fourth it has paid to the city so far. The preceding one was made on November 15-19, 2014.

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