US Aircraft Carrier George Washington Arrives in Vietnam, Signaling Deepening Military-Diplomatic Ties

The US Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS George Washington, has arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam, following a nearly two-month journey across the Pacific. This marks the fourth visit of a US aircraft carrier to Vietnam since the normalization of bilateral relations in 1995. The USS George Washington is the only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in the US Navy, with its home port in Yokosuka, Japan. This port call is a symbolic event highlighting the steady progress in military and diplomatic ties between the two nations. Vietnam has moved past wartime consequences to expand cooperation with the US across various sectors, including economy, education, healthcare, technology, and defense. The "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" established in 2023, in particular, is facilitating the step-by-step deepening of defense cooperation. Vietnam's foreign policy is underpinned by its "Four Noes" defense policy. These principles include rejecting military alliances, not aligning with one country against another, not allowing foreign military bases or the use of its territory for hostile purposes, and prohibiting the use or threat of force in international relations. Under this policy, Vietnam deepens its relationship with the US while maintaining cooperation with other major powers such as Russia, India, Japan, and China. Recently, Vietnam has hosted naval fleets from Russia at Cam Ranh International Port, China in Ho Chi Minh City, India in Da Nang, and a Japanese destroyer in Da Nang. These frequent naval visits demonstrate Vietnam's commitment to cooperating with all nations for peace and stability. They also indicate Vietnam's adept management of relations with major powers while avoiding geopolitical confrontations and upholding its independent principles. Information source: Vietnam Insider