On the 18th, the U.S. delegation to Vietnam announced the transfer of the third patrol vessel, 'CSB 8022,' to the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) in accordance with the U.S.-Vietnam Defense Cooperation Agreement. This move aims to further promote the defense partnership and enhance the interoperability of maritime law enforcement operations, jointly maintaining regional peace and stability.

According to the Vietnamese newspaper 'Youth,' 'CSB 8022' is an upgraded variant of the U.S. Coast Guard Hamilton-class cutter 'Dale' (WHEC 717). It departed from Seattle, passed through Hawaii and Guam, and arrived in Vietnam on the 18th to be handed over to the Vietnamese coast guard. This is the third patrol vessel transferred to Vietnam under the cooperation memo, following two others transferred in 2017 and 2021.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Bill and Major General Nguyen Binh Minh, commander of Coast Guard Region 3 of Vietnam, attended the ceremony to witness the transfer of 'CSB 8022' to Vietnam. Bill noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Vietnam, and the transfer of the third patrol vessel reflects the long-term security cooperation between the two nations, with hopes to enhance maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance capabilities, ensuring regional security and realizing the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.