US naval ships to visit Vietnam’s central hub next week The guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain is seen in this file photo. Reuters Two U.S. naval vessels will arrive in Da Nang City in central Vietnam early next week to begin their six-day visit that will include such activities as search and rescue exchanges, concerts, and sporting events, the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City said Tuesday in a press release.   The guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain and the rescue and salvage ship USNS Safeguard will dock in the city on April 7. A welcoming ceremony and press conference will be held upon the ships’ arrival to introduce the details of the visit. Rear Admiral Cindy Thebaud, commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific; Colonel Paul Schilse of Destroyer Squadron Seven, the Captains of USS John S. McCain and USNS Safeguard; and U.S. Consulate General Deputy Principal Officer Robert Ogburn will represent the U.S. delegation at these events. Following the ceremony, reporters will be invited to listen to short statements and ask questions at a brief press availability, and then take a guided tour of the U.S. Navy ships. During visit, the naval forces of Vietnam and the U.S. will exchange expertise in health, search and rescue, disaster relief, diving training, and on-board repairs. In addition, a series of activities including ship tours, U.S. naval band concerts, community relations events, and U.S.-Vietnamese Navy sporting events are also scheduled to take place. A music and exchange session between the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet Band Orient Express and the Da Nang University of Technology will be conducted on April 8. A day later, Orient Express will perform in the Bien Dong Park to serve the public. Previously, the USS John S. McCain paid a visit to Da Nang in 2010 within the framework of cooperation between the Vietnam People’s Navy and the U.S. 7th Fleet. In 2012, USNS Safeguard together two warships USS Blue Ridge and USS Chafee of the U.S. Navy also visited Da Nang from April 23 to 27.  Tuoitrenews