Frigate Vendemiaire of the French Navy will arrive in Da Nang City, central Vietnam for a port call scheduled for April 11-15, the French Embassy in Hanoi announced recently.

The stopover in Da Nang will allow the crew to rest after a long mission and take part in exchange activities with units from the Vietnam People’s Navy and Vietnam Coast Guard, the embassy said.

Upon docking at Da Nang Port, Lieutenant Colonel Drouelle, captain of the frigate, will pay a courtesy visit to the leaders of the Da Nang administration and the commands of Military Region 5 and Navy Region 3. 

Throughout the five-day visit, the crew will participate in various activities related to fire prevention and control, maritime safety, anti-pollution measures, and sea search and rescue operations.

The crew members will take part in ship tours and friendly sports competitions, including volleyball, with Vietnamese naval and coast guard officers. 

According to the embassy, the coming visit will mark the first time that the Vietnam Coast Guard takes part in exercises at sea with the French frigate’s crew. 

Annually, a French Navy vessel typically visits Vietnam, Nguoi Lao Dong (Laborer) newspaper reported, citing the embassy.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet emphasized that the Vendemiaire’s stopover is a major highlight for the cooperation between France and Vietnam.

The visit also demonstrates France’s adherence to freedom of navigation and overflight at sea, as well as the protection of common spaces.

Departing from Noumea in New Caledonia on February 29, the Vendemiaire has performed maritime patrol missions with the armed forces of ASEAN and regional countries, including Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, and Australia.

The Vendemiaire is a Floreal-class frigate, measuring 93 meters in length and accommodating a crew of approximately 100 members along with a Dauphin-type helicopter.

In addition to maritime protection and control of exclusive economic zones, the ship often performs missions to support people and take part in cooperation programs.

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