THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
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Viet Nam, China hold 40th joint patrol and training exercise in Tonkin Gulf
VGP - The 40th joint patrol and training exercise conducted by the Vietnamese and Chinese navies in the waters of the Tonkin Gulf, as part of the 10th Viet Nam–China Border Defense Friendship Exchange, was held at Fangcheng Port, in China’s Guangxi, on March 19.
Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang and his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun at the 40th joint patrol and training exercise, Fangcheng Port, China’s Guangxi, March 19, 2026 - Photo: qdnd.vn
The event was attended by Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang and his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun.
In October 2005, the two nations signed a joint patrol agreement in the Tonkin Gulf area.
Since 2006, the two navies have continuously conducted 39 joint patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin as well as multiple joint maritime exercises within the framework of these patrols.
The joint patrol mechanism contributes to deepening defense ties, strengthening friendship and mutual trust, enhancing capabilities in responding to maritime security risks, and maintaining security and stability in the region.
The two ministers toured China's Ship Squadrons 568 and Viet Nam's Ship Squadrons 015.
During this year's joint patrol and training exercise, both sides will conduct patrols along eight routes, passing through nine points, covering a total distance of 247 nautical miles at sea, with a total duration of 28 hours.
The naval task forces of Viet Nam and China will conduct training activities such as formation maneuvers, maritime escort, signal lamp communication, anti-piracy operations, search and rescue, and ship survivability defense./.