The Philippines and Vietnam, which have overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea (SCS), opted to set aside their differences and chose to strengthen their maritime cooperation as a patrol ship from the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) dropped anchor in Port Area, Manila on Monday, Aug. 5, for the VCG's first ever port call in the country. An approximately 80-member crew of the VCG spearheaded by Colonel Hoang Quoc Dat, VCG Region 2 vice commander, arrived onboard the patrol ship Canh Sat Bien (CSB)-8002. They were welcomed by top officials of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) led by Commo. Arnaldo M. Lim, director of Coast Guard Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center, who represented PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan.

Sadongdong, M. (2024, August 6). PH, Vietnam to hold coast guard exercise in Manila Bay. Manila Bulletin, p. 2.