The ship Academician Oparin from the Russian Academy of Sciences left Nha Trang city to survey Vietnamese waters including the Truong Sa (Spratly) island district in the central province of Khanh Hoa.
The two month fact-finding trip involves 22 Russian scientists and 12 scientists from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) who will survey the sea areas in Vietnam.
Launched in 1985, the 73 meter long, 15 meter wide Academician Oparin is specially designed for scientific oceanic research and functions as a mobile laboratory at sea.
VAST Chairman Professor Dr Chau Van Minh said this is the fourth time the ship has visited Vietnam to conduct a comprehensive survey on the biodiversity and biochemical makeup of the East Sea, which could help protect Vietnam’s sovereignty over its seas and islands.
Source: VOV