The exercise aimed to solidify the country’s port security protocols

Nearly 300 officers from various government and military organizations participated in an anti-terrorism exercise at a major port in the central city of Da Nang on Wednesday.

The training, organized by the Vietnam Maritime Administration and Ministry of Transport at Tien Sa Port, aimed to boost Vietnam’s anti-terrorism security capabilities in order to ensure port safety and security.

About 300 officers from nine units, including police, the military, paramedics, and search and rescue teams, participated in the exercise.

The scenario for the exercise involved a group of terrorists abducting several hostages and planting explosives across the seaport.

Officers patrolled the area in smaller groups to simultaneously attack the terrorists and defuse the bombs.

During their mission, controlled explosives were detonated and rescue units were required to extinguish the subsequent fires that broke out at several warehouses and ships at the port.

According to Nguyen Van Cong, Deputy Minister of Transport, the exercise was successfully executed within the ministry’s standards.

Cong considered the drill a large-scale event necessary to ensure the rapid growth of international trade coming to Vietnam, and its accompanying challenges.

Attacks by pirates and terrorists in Southeast Asian waters are a constant threat to maritime safety and security, the official elaborated.

The drill was designed to prepare relevant units for such a situation and contributing to the preservation of port security in accordance with international law, he stated.