USS Ronald Reagan Makes Port Call in Da Nang as U.S. Navy Seeks Greater Engagement
The guided-missile carrier USS Ronald Reagan, flagship of the fifth assault group, has arrived at Da Nang, Vietnam, marking a significant waypoint in a region where American naval activity continues to draw international attention. Officials from the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi confirmed the port visit, underscoring the steady cadence of high‑level maritime exchanges between Washington and Hanoi. Supporting the carrier, the guided‑missile cruisers USS Antietam and USS Robert Smalls accompany the strike group, highlighting the broader mission profile of the carrier group within the Seventh Fleet, the extensive U.S. naval presence that covers the western Pacific and nearby waters.
Approximately 5,000 sailors aboard the Ronald Reagan expressed enthusiasm about visiting Da Nang and engaging with Vietnamese culture during the port call. Captain Daryl Cardone emphasized the crew’s interest in exploring the country’s heritage, cuisine, and hospitality, reflecting a shared curiosity about Vietnam among U.S. naval personnel and the communities they encounter during these missions.
This Da Nang stop marks the third occasion for American aircraft carriers to visit Vietnamese ports. The first port call occurred in 2018, followed by a second visit in 2020. As the United States and Vietnam celebrate a decade of strategic partnership, observers note the ongoing normalization process that began with the normalization of bilateral relations in 1995. The partnership has evolved into a framework of defense and security collaboration, economic engagement, and people‑to‑people exchanges. The visits are interpreted within this broader context as practical demonstrations of the evolving partnership and regional security dynamics in Southeast Asia.
The timing of the port call comes amid heightened attention to Vietnam’s maritime boundaries in the South China Sea. Reports indicate that a U.S. naval vessel paused at Da Nang shortly after Vietnam’s foreign ministry issued a warning about Chinese ships operating near Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. Analysts highlight that such incidents have often prompted Hanoi and Washington to coordinate communications and ensure transparency in naval operations, signaling a mutual interest in safeguarding freedom of navigation and regional stability.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh spoke on March 11 about advancing a comprehensive partnership with the United States, signaling political momentum on both sides. The dialogue aligns with ongoing executive‑branch and military‑to‑military engagements that aim to translate formal agreements into practical, day‑to‑day cooperation. In Vietnam, this evolving relationship is viewed as a platform for broader collaboration across defense, trade, technology, and cultural exchanges, while in the United States it is seen as part of a regional strategy that supports stability and prosperity for Asia‑Pacific nations. The visit underscores a shared interest in steady, predictable engagement that can sustain security, economic growth, and people‑to‑people ties across the region.