USS George Washington carrier docks in Da Nang, Vietnam for five‑day visit

USS George Washington Da Nang Vietnam US Navy carrier strike group

On 30 July 2026 the US Navy’s nuclear‑powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam, beginning a five‑day port call that runs until early August. The carrier was escorted by the guided‑missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG‑62) and the destroyer USS Shoup (DDG‑86). This marks the fourth US carrier visit to Vietnam since the Vietnam War and the first since the USS Ronald Reagan called at Da Nang in June 2023.

The visit follows the upgrade of US‑Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023. Vietnam’s defence ministry said the carrier strike group “contributes to maintaining and developing Vietnam‑US relations,” while the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City said it reinforces the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo‑Pacific. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang at the Shangri‑La Dialogue in June 2026 to discuss expanding defence cooperation.

The carrier, a Nimitz‑class vessel 333 m long and capable of carrying about 80 aircraft, is the first of its class to berth in Vietnamese waters. The port call includes diplomatic receptions, cultural exchanges and community activities, underscoring the deepening security ties between the two nations amid broader regional competition.

Entities

Da Nang · USS George Washington · USS George Washington · USS Robert Smalls · USS Robert Smalls · USS Shoup · United States Navy · Vietnam · Vietnam Navy

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang at the Shangri‑La Dialogue in June 2026 to discuss expanding defence cooperation. www.arabnews.pk
[● 3 SOURCES] This is the fourth US aircraft carrier visit to Vietnam since the Vietnam War and the first since USS Ronald Reagan in June 2023. kienthuc.net.vn · soha.vn
[● 2 SOURCES] The carrier's visit lasted five days, from 30 July to early August 2026. www.arabnews.pk · kienthuc.net.vn
[○ 1 SOURCE] The US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City said the visit reinforces the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo‑Pacific. www.arabnews.pk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Vietnam’s defence ministry said the carrier strike group contributes to maintaining and developing Vietnam‑US relations. www.arabnews.pk
[● 2 SOURCES] USS George Washington was escorted by the guided‑missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG‑62) and the destroyer USS Shoup (DDG‑86). www.arabnews.pk · kienthuc.net.vn
[● 2 SOURCES] USS George Washington arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam on 30 July 2026. www.arabnews.pk · soha.vn
[● 2 SOURCES] The visit is part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership upgraded in September 2023 between the United States and Vietnam. www.arabnews.pk · galaxiamilitar.es