U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Commanders visit Vietnam The Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet Admiral Scott H. Swift and Commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Lieutenant General John A. Toolan are paying a three day visit to Vietnam, from March 17 to 19. "As the first joint visit to Vietnam by both U.S. Navy and Marine Corps commanders in the Pacific for many decades, this trip was an excellent opportunity to meet with our VPN partners and explore ways to bring our naval forces together more often during ship visits and exchanges," said Swift.  "Our naval forces share a commitment to a rules-based international order, and to maritime security and stability in ways that benefit the rising prosperity of all regional countries," he said. The visit underscores a deepening bilateral naval relationship as part of the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership and the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations signed by Secretary of Defense Carter and Minister of Defense Phung Quang Thanh. U.S. and Vietnamese naval forces interact regularly during staff talks, port visits and professional exchanges like the Pacific Partnership mission and bilateral Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) held in Danang each year.  These interactions – both bilaterally and multilaterally – have helped strengthen professional relationships, build mutual confidence, and demonstrate a shared commitment to regional maritime security, peace and stability. On March 18, Swift and Toolan met with Rear Admiral Pham Hoai Nam, the Commander of the Vietnam People's Navy March 18.  The same day, General Do Ba Ty, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Defence Minister, hosted a reception for Admiral Scott Swift. General Do Ba Ty, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Defence Minister (right) and Admiral Scott Swift, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet. Speaking at the meeting, General Ty said Vietnam treasures its comprehensive relations with the US , particularly in naval activities. The US Navy has supported the Vietnam People’s Navy in training for detection and removal of underwater, unexploded ordnance left from wars, Ty said. Ty said he hopes the two naval forces will further cement ties based on equality and mutual respect for the benefit of each nation, and regional peace and stability. For his part, Admiral Swift stated that potential for cooperation between the two countries’ navies remain largely untapped, affirming that he would work to translate such potential into reality. The commander also agreed that Vietnam’s territorial dispute in the East Sea should be settled peacefully with respect for international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He said he will continue contributing to ensuring safety and security in the East Sea towards regional and global stability. VNN/VNA