**Executive Summary**
INS Sagardhwani, an Indian Navy oceanographic research vessel, conducted a port call to Cam Ranh, Vietnam, from May 4–8, 2026, to strengthen maritime and scientific ties. The visit focused on enhancing professional interactions, training cooperation, and oceanographic research collaboration during the decade-long India-Vietnam Strategic Partnership. Key activities included high-level military meetings, scientific exchanges between DRDO and Vietnamese researchers, and joint social engagements.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Military and Strategic Engagement**
* The Commanding Officer of INS Sagardhwani held discussions with the Khanh Hoa Military Command and Naval Region 4 to deepen maritime engagement.
* The visit coincided with the 10th anniversary of the India-Vietnam Strategic Partnership.
* The engagement follows the participation of the Vietnam People's Navy in the International Fleet Review 26 and MILAN 26 held in India.
**Naval Training and Education**
* Professional exchanges were held with the Naval Academy of Vietnam to expand cooperation in naval education.
* Vietnamese officers and cadets conducted ship visits to gain insights into the vessel's operational roles and onboard technical capabilities.
**Scientific Research and Collaboration**
* Scientists from the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), DRDO, engaged with researchers from the Institute of Oceanography, Nha Trang.
* Discussions focused on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and collaborative research in oceanographic science and technology.
* Representatives from the National Oceanographic Institute visited the ship to further scientific engagement.
**Cultural and Social Interaction**
* Personnel from both navies participated in friendly volleyball matches and joint yoga sessions to build camaraderie.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Navy**
**Impact**
The visit successfully reinforced bilateral maritime partnerships and demonstrated Indian oceanographic capabilities in the region.
**Action Required**
Continue leveraging such port calls to sustain professional interactions and training cooperation with regional partners.
**Vietnam People’s Navy and Naval Academy**
**Impact**
Vietnamese naval personnel and students gained technical insights into oceanographic vessel operations and identified new avenues for training expansion.
**Action Required**
Follow up on deliberations regarding expanded naval training and education cooperation with Indian counterparts.
**Scientific Institutions (NPOL, DRDO, and Institute of Oceanography, Nha Trang)**
**Impact**
The engagement established a platform for research collaboration and capacity building in oceanographic studies.
**Action Required**
Formalize knowledge-sharing initiatives and pursue joint research projects in oceanographic science and technology.
Key Entities Referenced
INS Sagardhwani: The Indian Navy’s oceanographic research vessel whose visit to Vietnam serves as the focal point for enhancing bilateral maritime and scientific cooperation.
India-Vietnam Strategic Partnership: The overarching bilateral framework that guides the long-term maritime engagement, training, and scientific endeavors between the two nations.
Vietnam People's Navy (VPN): The primary international partner organization involved in the professional exchanges, naval training, and joint maritime exercises described in the policy.
Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), DRDO: The Indian defense research entity leading the scientific collaboration, oceanographic studies, and knowledge sharing during the mission.
MILAN 26: A major multilateral naval exercise hosted by India, cited as a key initiative for strengthening maritime ties with Vietnam.
Ministry of Defence
INS SAGARDHWANI ENHANCES INDIA–
VIETNAM MARITIME & SCIENTIFIC
COOPERATION
Posted On: 10 MAY 2026 12:30PM by PIB Delhi
INS Sagardhwani, the Indian Navy’s oceanographic research vessel, concluded a successful visit to Cam
Ranh, Vietnam from 04-08 May 2026, reinforcing the strong maritime and scientific partnership between
India and Vietnam.
During the visit, Commanding Officer, INS Sagardhwani called on Sr Col Tran Van Cuong, Deputy Head
of Khanh Hoa Military Command and Sr Capt Nguyen Huu Minh, Deputy Political Commissar Naval
Region 4. Discussions highlighted avenues for deeper maritime engagement, professional interactions,
training cooperation and scientific endeavours coinciding with a decade of India-Vietnam Strategic
Partnership. Recently, a Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) ship participated in International Fleet Review 26
and MILAN 26 at Visakhapatnam in Feb 2026.
As part of the professional exchange, the Commanding Officer interacted with Sr Capt Ho Thanh Hoa,
Deputy Director of the Naval Academy, Vietnam. Deliberations focused on expanding cooperation in
naval training and education. Officers and cadets of the Academy also visited the ship and gained insights
into its operational role and onboard capabilities.
Reflecting the spirit of friendship and camaraderie, personnel of the Indian Navy and Vietnam People’s
Navy participated in friendly volleyball matches and joint yoga sessions during the harbour stay.
Strengthening collaboration in oceanographic studies, scientists from NPOL (Naval Physical and
Oceanographic Laboratory), DRDO engaged with researchers from the Institute of Oceanography, Nha
Trang. The interactions centred on research collaboration, knowledge sharing and capacity building in the
field of oceanographic science and technology. Scientists from the National Oceanographic Institute also
visited the ship during the port call.
The visit marks a testament to the growing bilateral maritime partnership and scientific engagement
between the two countries in the region.***
VM/SPS
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