The United States has transferred the patrol vessel CSB 8022, the third of its kind, to the Vietnam Coast Guard. (Photo: US Embassy)
Previously known as the US Coast Guard Hamilton – class high endurance cutter Mellon, the CSB 8022 departed from Seattle and made stops in Hawaii and Guam before arriving in Ninh Hoa, Vietnam.
The handover ceremony was attended by US Chargé d’Affaires Courtney Beale and Major General Ngo Binh Minh, Commander of Vietnam Coast Guard Region 3, according to the US Embassy in Hanoi.
The event coincided with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States, underscoring the two countries’ commitment to expanding cooperation in maritime security, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response.
The transfer of this vessel reflects the continued growth of US - Vietnam security cooperation over the past 30 years of diplomatic relations, said Chargé d’Affaires Beale.
She emphasised that the US and Vietnam respect each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political systems, and remain firmly committed to supporting a shared vision of peace, stability, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
This is the third patrol vessel the US has transferred to Vietnam, following the delivery of CSB 8020 in 2017 and CSB 8021 in 2020.
Through this partnership, the US and Vietnam are enhancing Vietnam’s maritime law enforcement capabilities, search and rescue operations, humanitarian and disaster response, and sovereign maritime protection, contributing to regional peace, security, and stability.