An upcoming visit to the central city of Da Nang by three US naval ships is an annual periodical exchange between the Vietnamese and US naval forces, affirmed Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga.

Nga made the statement while answering reporters’ question on the US naval ships’ upcoming visit at a regular press conference in Hanoi on July 7.

She said that three US naval ships, namely USS Preble, USS Chung Hoon and USNS Safeguard, will visit the Tien Sa port in Da Nang city from July 15-21.

“This is an annual periodical exchange that was previously agreed by the two sides to strengthen the relations between the two countries’ naval forces, implement humanitarian activities as well as exchange experience in naval operations and in search and rescue work,” she affirmed.

The spokeswoman also stressed that this is not a naval manoeuvers as reported by some newspapers recently.

During their stay in Da Nang, the US guests will pay courtesy visits to the leaders of the local authorities and the Zone 3 Naval High Command as well as join humanitarian medical check-up and treatment activities./.