On November 14, the French Navy cruiser Prairial, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Wallerand Faivre D’Arcier, docked at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang, beginning a six-day courtesy visit to the central coastal city.

Welcoming the ship were representatives from the Da Nang Department of Foreign Affairs, Military Region 5 Command, Naval Region 3 Command, Coast Guard Region 2 Command, and the Department of Foreign Relations under Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense.

During the vessel’s stay, its officers are scheduled to pay courtesy visits to the Da Nang People’s Committee, Military Region 5, and Naval Region 3.

The ship's crew will also participate in professional and sports exchanges with personnel from the Vietnamese Navy and Coast Guard, as well as visit local cultural sites.

The visit is part of the annual exchange activities between the Vietnamese and French navies, aligned with the strategic defense cooperation outlined under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and France, established in 2024.

The Prairial is a Floréal-class frigate, carrying a crew of 93 sailors. It is 93.5 meters long, 14 meters wide, with a displacement of nearly 3,000 tons. The vessel is equipped with a deck-mounted gun and a helicopter on its aft deck, ensuring mobility and operational versatility.

Earlier, in April 2024, the French Navy’s Vendemiaire frigate also visited Da Nang, carrying 98 officers and crew under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Sebastien Drouelle.

Ho Giap