At the welcoming ceremony, Colonel Nguyen Duc Hieu, Deputy Commander for Legal Affairs of Coast Guard Region 3 Command, described the 5-day visit as a practical contribution to strengthening friendship, mutual understanding, and trust between the two countries’ maritime law enforcement forces.
Captain Andrew Pate, Commanding Officer of USCGC Bertholf, said the vessel’s presence in Ho Chi Minh City reflects the US's long-standing commitment to its partnership with Vietnam.
The US and Vietnam work closely together to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, he said, adding that the cooperation strengthens Vietnam’s capacity to safeguard its maritime sovereignty and protect its sovereign rights.
USCGC Bertholf is a Legend-class maritime security cutter measuring 127 meters in length with an operational range of 12,000 nautical miles. The vessel is designed for maritime border security patrols, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and support for national defense activities at sea.
