The visit underscores Vietnam's independent and diverse diplomatic policy, according to spokesperson of Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang. The US Navy crew, including aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, cruiser USS Lake Champlain and destroyer USS Wayne E.Meyer, will stay in Vietnam from March 5 to 9, 2018, added Hang.

At about 11 a.m. today, the aircraft carrier was 5 kilometers from the shore. Photo: Tung Dinh

During their stay in Da Nang, US Navy officers will meet their Vietnamese counterparts and local authorities, who will be invited on a tour of the carrier.They will also pay visit to social sponsor centers and Agent Orange victims, and take part in friendly sporting events and a music show.

Zoom in the carrier USS Carl Vinson at Da Nang. Photo: Tung Dinh

The Vinson arrives amid repeated signals from the administration of US President Donald Trump that it is keen to further develop security ties with Vietnam as part of a range of political and military relationships to check the rise of China, according to Reuters.

The aircraft carrier makes its first visit to Vietnam since 1975. Photo: Tung Dinh

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is the United States Navy's third Nimitz-class supercarrier, named after Carl Vinson, a Congressman from Georgia, in recognition of his contributions to the US Navy.

Illustrative photo

It is equipped with two Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors, capable of traveling at 56kph. There are four takeoff lanes at the ship head, and one landing lane at its rear. The USS Carl Vinson carries some 3,000 crewmembers, nearly a third of which are female personnel, and 75 planes, including 65 F-35 or F-18 Hornet fighter jets.