The ship docked at Nha Trang Port on May 17 when the Pacific Partnership Programme 2018 was launched and will stay until June 2.  

The US Navy’s hospital ship USNS Mercy

According to the US embassy in Vietnam, PP18 also sees the participation of the UK, Canada, France, Australia, Sri Lanka, Chile, Peru and several local, regional and international organisations.

Ship USNS Mercy is 272 metres long and 32 metres wide, running at the speed of 18 nautical miles per hour.

This is the ninth PP18 has been held in Vietnam and the second time in Khanh Hoa Province.

P18 is an annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. It is aimed to strengthen national capacities and medical preparedness for disaster response. The event is also expected to sharpen the relationship between Vietnam and the US as well as other partners.

During the stay in Khanh Hoa, the US and Japanese delegations will meet local authorities, provide free medical checks-up for people and help repair medical stations and schools in the locality.