French frigate Vendemiaire arrives in Da Nang for 5-day visit
Thursday, April 11, 2024, 20:16 GMT+7
The French Navy’s frigate Vendemiaire, with 98 officers and sailors on board, docked at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on Thursday for a five-day port call, including first-time training exercises with the Vietnam Coast Guard.
Upon the ship’s arrival, a welcome ceremony for the frigate was conducted at the port with the participation of representatives from city authorities and the commands of Navy Region 3, Coast Guard Region 2, and Military Region 5, among other participants.
Following the ceremony, Colonel Frederic Daumas, French defense attaché to Vietnam, and Lieutenant Colonel Sebastien Drouelle, the frigate’s captain, showed Vietnamese officers and representatives of some French businesses around the ship.
|
|
| Vietnamese naval, coast guard, and other officers gather at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on April 11, 2024 to welcome the French Navy’s frigate Vendemiaire. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre |
Drouelle later paid courtesy visits to the leaders of the Da Nang administration and the commands of Military Region 5 and Naval Region 3.
During the port call lasting until April 15, the crew will partake 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.
|
|
| Vietnamese naval officers are seen saluting their visiting French counterparts from the French Navy’s frigate Vendemiaire at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on April 11, 2024. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre |
On this occasion, the ship will also welcome a group of visitors from Da Nang University of Science and Technology, University of Foreign Language Studies - University of Da Nang, and Da Nang-based Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted, who will arrive at the invitation of the French Institute in Da Nang.
Annually, a French Navy vessel typically visits Vietnam, Nguoi Lao Dong (Laborer) newspaper reported, citing the French Embassy in Vietnam.
The frigate’s visit marks the first time that the Vietnam Coast Guard has joined training exercises at sea with the French ship’s crew, the embassy said.
|
|
| Vietnamese officials present flowers to French Navy’s frigate Vendemiaire representatives at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on April 11, 2024. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre |
The Vendemiaire’s stopover is a major highlight for the cooperation between France and Vietnam, commented French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet.
The visit also demonstrates France’s adherence to freedom of navigation and overflight at sea, as well as the protection of common spaces, the diplomat stated.
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.
|
|
| A Dauphin-type helicopter is seen on board frigate Vendemiaire of the French Navy at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on April 11, 2024. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre |
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.
Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
