The United States and Vietnam will exchange more high-ranking military delegations in the future, following the ongoing visit of the navy ship USS Vandegrift to Vietnam.  

The statement was made by the US ambassador to Vietnam, Raymond F. Burghardt, at a press conference held on the frigate at Vietnam's Saigon Port on Wednesday afternoon.

His statement was echoed by the Vandegrift's commander, lieutenant colonel Richard Roger, who said he hoped there would be many other warships of the United States to visit Vietnam like the frigate.

The commander and his crew were warmly received by representatives of Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the Ministry of Defense, and the High Command of Navy.

According to Roger, officers and sailors of the Vandegrift are eager to tour the city. They are scheduled to visit many places in Ho Chi Minh city, including the tunnels of Cu Chi, 35 kilometers northwest of the city, on Thursday and Friday.

The ship arrived at Ho Chi Minh city on Wednesday noon, and will depart the city on Saturday morning.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2003)