Chinese Navy Fleet Arrives in Vietnam for Port Visit
A Chinese Navy fleet comprising the training ship Qi Jiguang and the amphibious landing ship Kunlunshan arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on the morning of July 5, 2026, for a port visit aimed at enhancing military mutual trust and cooperation between the two neighboring countries. The visit, conducted at the invitation of the Vietnamese Navy, marks the latest chapter in China-Vietnam military diplomacy.
Context and Background
The fleet’s arrival in Vietnam is part of a broader “far-seas comprehensive training and visit mission” that began on June 15, 2026, when the 83rd Task Group departed from Qingdao, Shandong, carrying over 400 naval academy students and instructors from the PLA Naval University of Engineering and the PLA Naval Submarine Academy. According to CCTV News, the visit aims to enhance mutual trust and cooperation between the Chinese and Vietnamese navies.
Before arriving in Vietnam, the same fleet visited Vladivostok, Russia, from June 23 to 27 for a four-day port visit, where Russian Pacific Fleet personnel, Chinese diplomats, and overseas Chinese welcomed the ships. The sequential visits to Russia and Vietnam highlight the complex web of defense relationships in the region.
The Ships and Their Significance
The fleet consists of two notable vessels. The Qi Jiguang (hull 83) is China’s largest domestically-built and most modern professional training ship, named after the Ming Dynasty military hero Qi Jiguang (1528-1588), with a full-load displacement of over 9,000 tons. The Kunlunshan (hull 998) is the lead ship of the Type 071 (Yuzhao-class) amphibious landing platform dock, named after the Kunlun Mountains, with a normal displacement of over 19,000 tons. The Kunlunshan represents a key platform in China’s transition from coastal to blue-water amphibious operations.
The presence of over 400 naval cadets aboard underscores the educational and people-to-people dimension of the mission, potentially building long-term relationships between future naval officers of both countries.
Official Statements
The Chinese Ministry of Defense announced the planned visit on July 4, 2026, via its official Weibo account and website. In its official statement, the ministry said: “In recent years, Chinese and Vietnamese navies have deepened cooperation in ship visits and joint patrols, playing a positive role in enhancing mutual trust between the two countries and maintaining regional stability.”
Broader Diplomatic Context
The naval visit follows a significant political milestone. In April 2026, Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and President To Lam visited China, where 32 cooperation agreements were signed, including two on railway connectivity. As Lianhe Zaobao reported, the visit reflects the broader “community with a shared future” framework that China has promoted with Vietnam.
The timing of the naval visit — shortly after To Lam’s trip to Beijing — suggests the military track is following the political track in deepening bilateral relations. The recently launched “3+3 Strategic Dialogue” mechanism covering foreign affairs, defense, and public security between China and Vietnam further institutionalizes this cooperation.
Analysis and Implications
Despite longstanding maritime disputes in the South China Sea (East Sea), China and Vietnam have maintained regular military-to-military exchanges, including naval port visits and joint patrols. This visit signals both countries’ willingness to manage differences through dialogue and confidence-building measures.
The fleet’s composition is noteworthy. The Qi Jiguang and Kunlunshan are non-combat vessels — a training ship and an amphibious landing ship — signaling a focus on training, education, and confidence-building rather than power projection. The ships’ multi-stop itinerary — Qingdao to Vladivostok to Ho Chi Minh City — demonstrates China’s strategy of building military diplomacy across multiple theaters in a single deployment.
Russia, a key defense partner of both China and Vietnam, adds another dimension to the regional dynamics. Historically a major arms supplier to both countries, Russia’s position in the China-Vietnam-Russia triangle remains significant.
What to Watch For
Several questions remain unanswered: What specific activities are planned during the Vietnam port visit, including potential joint exercises or cultural exchanges? How will the Vietnamese public and media react to the Chinese naval presence? Will there be reciprocal visits by Vietnamese naval vessels to China? The duration of the port visit in Ho Chi Minh City has also not been officially disclosed.
As China and Vietnam continue to navigate their complex relationship — balancing close economic ties with maritime disputes — this naval visit represents a tangible step in military diplomacy that could help build the foundation for more stable bilateral relations in the years ahead.