US Aicraft Carrier Makes Rare Visit to Vietnamese Port as US-China Competition for Influence Intensifies

The USS Ronald Reagan, a US aircraft carrier, is making a rare port call in Vietnam.
The visit comes as both the US and China are trying to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations.
The port in Da Nang was modernized and expanded by the US during the Vietnam War.
Vietnam sees the visit as a normal friendly exchange for peace, stability, cooperation, and development.
The US sees Vietnam as a key component of its strategy for the region and has sought to leverage its rivalry with China to expand US influence.