This mission is part of the upcoming 9th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange, which will begin next Wednesday. This is the first time the Friendship Exchange will involve the two countries' navies in joint patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin combined with search and rescue training.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Cao Van Dan, Editor-in-Chief of the Navy Newspaper, said that missile frigates Tran Hung Dao and Quang Trung were selected to visit and participate in exchanges with the Chinese Navy of the Southern War Zone and the People's Liberation Army of China under a mechanism set up many years ago.

“This will be the 38^th joint patrol by the two navies in the Tonkin Gulf,” said Dan. The mission will consist of eight main activities, according to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Dan.

During the two-day joint patrol, the two naval task forces will maneuver from Beihai port to a joint patrol area agreed upon in advance. They will then carry out a patrol along a designated route. “The two navies will also conduct training in sea search and rescue operations and signaling using flags and lights. After the exchange, the Vietnamese ships will return home, and will undergo additional training on the long trip from the Gulf of Tonkin to Cam Ranh port,” said Dan.

The joint patrol is an important political task of the Vietnam People's Navy that enriches defense and border friendship exchanges and enhances coordination with the Chinese navy. 

Officers and soldiers of the Naval Region 4 Command see off the mission delegation.  (Photo: qdnd.vn)

The captain of missile frigate 015 reports to the mission commander that the ships are prepared to depart the port and commence the mission.  (Photo: qdnd.vn)

The missile frigate 015 ready to leave the port. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Members of the missile frigates 015 and 016 are ready to leave Cam Ranh military port. (Photo: qdnd.vn)