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Delegates attend the opening ceremony of the Pacific Partnership - Pacific Friends 2026 program

Attending the event were Hung Cao, Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy, and Major General Eugene Darrin Cox, Commander of the 18th Medical Command.

Representing Military Region 4 was Colonel Nguyen Huu Dan, Deputy Chief of Staff of Military Region 4. Representing Quang Tri Province were Mr. Le Hong Vinh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Mr. Hoang Nam, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; along with representatives of relevant departments, agencies and sectors.

An overview of the opening ceremony

Pacific Partnership (PP) is the U.S. Navy’s largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster response mission in the Indo-Pacific region.

Since 2007, Vietnam has co-hosted 12 Pacific Partnership missions in localities including Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Binh Đinh, Nghe An, Quang Ngai, and Phu Yen. The activities have yielded positive outcomes, contributing to stronger cooperation between Vietnam, the United States, and other partner nations

Pacific Friendship (PF) organized by the U.S. Army Pacific in coordination with the 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support) focuses on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, medical support, engineering projects, and community capacity-building activities

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony of the Pacific Partnership - Pacific Friends 2026 program

In 2025, the Pacific Friendship program was held in Quang Tri for the first time, featuring activities in disaster response, explosive ordnance disposal, veterinary services, healthcare, construction, and cultural exchanges.

In 2026, the two programs were integrated into the Pacific Partnership - Pacific Friends 2026 (PP-PF 26) program, which is being held from June 22 to July 6, 2026, across multiple localities in Quang Tri Province. The program brings together approximately 300 U.S. military personnel, alongside provincial authorities, functional forces, and specialized agencies.

The program includes 25 activities grouped into four main pillars: humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness, healthcare, construction and renovation, and community engagement.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Nam, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, emphasized that 2026 marks the 31st anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States. From initial cooperation in addressing the consequences of war and carrying out humanitarian activities, the two countries have built a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership founded on trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to peace and prosperity.

Mr. Hoang Nam, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Quảng Trị Provincial People’s Committee, delivers remarks at the opening ceremony

Within this broader framework of cooperation, the Pacific Partnership – Pacific Friends program stands as a vivid symbol of solidarity, collaboration, and shared responsibility toward communities. The program not only delivers practical initiatives in healthcare, education, disaster response, and development, but also fosters people-to-people connections, promotes mutual understanding, and strengthens friendship among nations.

Being selected once again to host the program is a great honor for Quang Tri Province and reflects the trust placed in the locality by the Governments of Vietnam and the United States, as well as international partners. Quang Tri is committed to providing all necessary support and working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the program’s activities are implemented safely, effectively, and successfully.

Quảng Trị Province also highly values the effective cooperation programs carried out with the United States in recent years, particularly in the areas of accounting for missing persons, addressing the legacy of unexploded ordnance, supporting Agent Orange victims, healthcare, education, and community development. These initiatives have delivered tangible benefits to local communities while helping to build trust and strengthen the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

Hung Cao, Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy, delivers remarks at the opening ceremony

Speaking at the ceremony, Hung Cao, Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy, emphasized that the program is not merely about providing temporary assistance; rather, its goal is to strengthen local capacities so that communities are better prepared to respond to the impacts of natural disasters. He noted that the program’s lasting value lies in the relationships built, the expertise shared, and the trust established among partners long before disasters occur.

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