Vietnam Coast Guard ship to arrive Monday for joint drills, training with PCG

The 2,400-ton Vietnamese Coast Guard vessel CSB 8002 would arrive in Manila on Monday for a four-day visit that would include joint search and rescue drills, as well as fire and explosion prevention training.

According to Carlo Mateo's Sunday Super Radyo dzBB report, the CSB 8002 had a crew of more than 80 led by Vietnam Coast Guard Region 2 Deputy Commander Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Quoc Dat.

Aside from the drills and training, the Vietnamese Coast Guardsmen would also visit the Philippine Coast Guard's National Coast Watch Center, Marine Science Investigation Force, and the offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang.

The Vietnamese Defense Ministry said the CSB 8002's visit was of "profound political significance" as it was an opportunity for both coast guard forces to "promote comprehensive  cooperation (and) improve law enforcement ability at sea... to  contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability, security, and safety  in the relevant sea area and the region."

In January 2024, the Philippine and Vietnamese Coast Guards signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a joint Coast Guard committee and a hotline communication mechanism. — DVM, GMA Integrated News