South China Sea Military Diplomacy

A Glimpse of the Vietnamese Navy Frigate's Visit to Guangzhou | Deepening Exchanges, Cultivating Friendship

越南海军护卫舰访问广州侧记丨深化交流厚植友谊

PLA Daily (解放军报) 25 July 2026

Summary

The Vietnamese Navy frigate Trần Hưng Đạo completed a port visit to Guangzhou, departing July 23 escorted by the Southern Theater Command Navy's CNS Enshi after several days of ship tours, sports competitions, and a deck reception; the visit followed the two vessels' joint participation in the 10th China-Vietnam Border Defense Friendship Exchange Activity in Fangchenggang in March, where they conducted joint patrols and training in the Beibu Gulf. The article documents the bilateral naval engagement track at the working level — ship-to-ship rather than fleet or command — and the repeated pairing of CNS Enshi with the Trần Hưng Đạo across two events in four months fits a pattern of building familiarity between specific crews rather than rotating contacts. The framing around 'comrades plus brothers (同志加兄弟)' — a phrase with ideological weight in Sino-Vietnamese party-to-party discourse — points to deliberate messaging about the relationship's character, though the article provides no information on what, if any, operational coordination accompanied the goodwill programming.

Translation

Deepening Exchanges, Cultivating Friendship

— A Glimpse of the Vietnamese Navy Frigate's Visit to Guangzhou

■ Pan Xiaoyuan, Zhang Bin, PLA Daily Correspondent Guo Shudong

Guangzhou in midsummer, on the banks of the Pearl River.

On the morning of July 23, escorted by the Chinese Navy's CNS Enshi, the Vietnamese Navy frigate Trần Hưng Đạo, having completed its visit, slowly departed from a military port in Guangzhou. On the dock, the national flags of China and Vietnam fluttered in the wind, and officers and soldiers of a unit under the Southern Theater Command Navy stood in neat formation to hold a send-off ceremony for the Trần Hưng Đạo. During the visit, naval officers and soldiers of the two countries engaged in extensive and in-depth exchanges, cultivating mutual friendship and trust.

"Welcome — you have crossed mountains and seas to keep this appointment of friendship." On the 20th, the commanding officer of the Chinese side's CNS Enshi and the commanding officer of the Vietnamese side's frigate Trần Hưng Đạo met again for the first time in four months, and the two conversed with great warmth. In March of this year, the two vessels had jointly participated in the 10th China-Vietnam Border Defense Friendship Exchange Activity in Fangchenggang, Guangxi, and after completing joint patrols and joint training in the Beibu Gulf waters, had bid each other farewell over the radio. Neither had expected that the two ships would meet again just a few months later.

"This is the embodiment of the friendship of 'comrades plus brothers (同志加兄弟)'!" The commanding officer of the Trần Hưng Đạo, Đỗ Xuân Kiệt, recalled the moments of mutual exchange and joint training with the Chinese Navy in recent years, and warmly extended an invitation to the commanding officer of the Chinese side's CNS Enshi: "Whenever the opportunity arises, you are welcome to lead your ship on a visit to Vietnam."

On the aft deck of the CNS Enshi, crew member Liao Chaowei served as a guide, introducing the visiting guests who had come from afar to the ship's weapons and equipment, daily training, and naval culture. Vietnamese naval officers and soldiers listened attentively, pausing from time to time — some to ask questions and exchange views, others to lean in for a closer look.

"It is a great honor to introduce my own ship to officers and soldiers of a foreign military. This is an unforgettable page in my military career." Before departing the ship, many Vietnamese naval officers and soldiers gave Liao Chaowei a thumbs-up, which filled him with pride as a first-time guide. "The confidence and openness of the People's Navy is the foundation that gives me the assurance to do this job well," Liao Chaowei told the reporter.

On the sports ground, Chinese and Vietnamese naval officers and soldiers organized skills exchanges in rope-knotting and heaving-line throwing, showcasing a strong naval character. The two sides also formed mixed teams and launched a spirited tug-of-war friendship competition, with cheers in both Chinese and Vietnamese rising and falling in turn.

"A tug-of-war tests strength, but what it reflects is the solidarity and friendship between the officers and soldiers of our two countries." After the friendly competition ended, the group that CNS Enshi crew member Yuan Jing belonged to won. After exchanging souvenirs and taking group photos, he held the ship's cap presented by the Vietnamese side and said with excitement.

As night fell, at the deck reception held for the visiting Vietnamese officers and soldiers, the Chinese side's personnel performed traditional Chinese artistic programs including a guzheng solo and Sichuan opera face-changing (变脸). The Vietnamese officers and soldiers performed the Chinese-language song "The Moon Represents My Heart" and the Vietnamese traditional conical hat dance (斗笠舞). The lingering melodies drew round after round of applause from officers and soldiers on both sides.

At the calligraphy display area, CNS Enshi crew member Shi Jinqiang picked up a brush, loaded it with ink, and as the tip moved across the paper, the four characters "China-Vietnam Friendship (中越友谊)" leapt onto the page. Each time he finished a piece, Shi Jinqiang presented it to the Vietnamese officers and soldiers beside him. These works, carrying heartfelt wishes, were greatly cherished by the Vietnamese officers and soldiers.

"Chinese calligraphy is truly beautiful!" Looking at the exquisite paper fan in his hands and the inscription upon it, a Vietnamese officer's face was filled with a sincere smile. "Just like the words written on this paper fan, I hope the tree of China-Vietnam friendship will remain evergreen."

Original Chinese

深化交流厚植友谊 ——越南海军护卫舰访问广州侧记 ■潘小员张彬解放军报记者郭澍东盛夏广州，珠江之畔。 7月23日上午，在中国海军恩施舰的陪同下，完成访问任务的越南海军“陈兴道”号护卫舰缓缓驶离广州某军港。码头上，中越两国国旗迎风飘扬，南部战区海军某部官兵整齐列队，为“陈兴道”号护卫舰举行欢送仪式。访问期间，两国海军官兵进行了广泛、深入的交流，厚植双方友谊与互信。 “欢迎你们跨越山海，再赴友谊之约。”20日，中方恩施舰舰长与越方“陈兴道”号护卫舰舰长在时隔4个月后再度相见，两人相谈甚欢。今年3月，两艘舰艇曾在广西防城港共同参加中越第10次边境国防友好交流活动，在北部湾海域完成联合巡逻、联合训练后，通过电台互道再会。没想到，短短几个月后两舰再次相遇。 “这就是‘同志加兄弟’友谊的体现！”“陈兴道”号护卫舰舰长杜春捷回忆起近年来与中国海军相互交流、共同训练的点滴，他盛情邀请中方恩施舰舰长——“有机会欢迎你率舰访问越南。” 恩施舰后甲板上，舰员廖朝威作为讲解员，为远道而来的客人介绍舰艇武器装备、日常训练和舰艇文化等情况。越南海军官兵认真倾听，不时停下脚步，有的提问交流，有的凑近仔细观看。 “很荣幸能为外军官兵介绍自己所在的舰艇，这是我军旅生涯难忘的一页。”离舰之前，不少越南海军官兵向廖朝威竖起大拇指，这让首次担任讲解员的他很自豪。“人民海军的自信和开放，是我做好讲解工作的底气。”廖朝威对记者说。运动场上，中越海军官兵组织打绳结、撇缆等技能交流，展现出浓厚的海军特色。双方还混合编组，展开激烈的拔河友谊赛，用中文和越南语喊出的加油声此起彼伏。 “拔河比赛比拼的是力气，体现的是两国官兵的团结与友谊。”友谊赛结束，恩施舰舰员袁晶所在的小组获得胜利，在互换纪念品、合影留念后，手里拿着越方赠送的舰帽，他激动地说。夜幕低垂，在为越南到访官兵举行的甲板招待会上，中方官兵表演了古筝独奏、川剧变脸等中国传统文艺节目。越方官兵则带来了中文歌曲《月亮代表我的心》和越南民族舞蹈斗笠舞，清韵余音缭绕不散，引发双方官兵阵阵掌声。在书法展示区，恩施舰舰员史锦强拿起毛笔，饱蘸墨汁，笔锋游走间，“中越友谊”4个字跃然纸上。每写完一幅作品，史锦强便将其赠与身边的越方官兵。这些承载着美好祝愿的作品，让越方官兵喜爱不已。 “中国的书法实在是太美了！”看着手中的精美纸扇和上面的题字，一名越南军官脸上洋溢着真挚的笑容，“像纸扇上书写的文字一样，希望中越友谊之树常青。”