Luna Harper
Cam Ranh Bay, a deep-water bay in Vietnam, has been a significant military base for many countries over the years. The French first recognised its potential in 1847, and it has since been used by the Russians, Japanese and Americans. The United States recognised its strategic importance in 1963, and it became a major base for the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy during the Vietnam War. The base was turned over to the South Vietnamese government in 1972 and later captured by North Vietnamese forces in 1975. Subsequently, the Soviet Union leased the base from Vietnam from 1979 to 2002. While there have been rumours of the U.S. regaining Cam Ranh Bay, the Vietnamese government has stated it will not sign any agreement for its military use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Khánh Hòa province, Vietnam |
| Type | Deep-water bay |
| Strategic Importance | Natural harbour; launching pad for military operations in East Asia; close to the South China Sea |
| Historical Users | French, Russian, Japanese, and American navies |
| US Usage | USAF air base; naval base; offloading of supplies, military equipment |
| Current Status | Rumours of US lease; Vietnam denies plans to lease for military purposes |
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What You'll Learn
Cam Ranh Bay's strategic importance
Cam Ranh Bay is a deep-water bay in Khánh Hòa Province, Vietnam. It is located at an inlet of the South China Sea, approximately 290 kilometres (180 miles) northeast of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Cam Ranh is considered the finest deep-water shelter in Southeast Asia.
The bay has been significant from a military standpoint throughout history. The French used it as a naval base for their forces in Indochina, building harbour defence artillery emplacements and small military compounds to protect against the advances of other countries. The French preferred to construct the ports of Saigon and Da Nang during the 19th century due to the strategic importance of Cam Ranh Bay.
During the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the Russian Navy used the port as a refuelling station. Subsequently, the Japanese army used the port extensively for logistics, military sea transportation, and material supplies, as well as additional military operations at sea.
In the 20th century, the United States also recognised the strategic importance of the bay. In 1963, the U.S. Commander in Chief, Admiral Harry D. Felt, directed the construction of a 350-foot (110 m) long pier and causeway, which was completed in mid-1964. The United States Air Force operated a large cargo/airlift facility called Cam Ranh Air Base, which was also used as a tactical fighter base. It was one of three aerial ports where U.S. military personnel entered or departed South Vietnam. The United States Army operated a major port facility and depot, and the United States Navy flew various aircraft from Cam Ranh, conducting aerial surveillance of South Vietnam's coastal waters.
After the fall of Saigon and the unification of North and South Vietnam, Cam Ranh Bay became an important Cold War naval base for the Soviet Pacific Fleet. In 1979, the Soviet government signed a 25-year lease for the base, which allowed them to project increased power in the East Sea.
In recent years, Vietnam has hired Russian consultants and purchased Russian technologies to reopen Cam Ranh Bay as a naval maintenance and logistics facility for foreign warships. Vietnam's "Cam Ranh policy" reflects the country's efforts to diversify its foreign policy and exploit its geopolitical potential, with the bay serving as an important lever in dealings with major powers such as Russia, the United States, and Japan.
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US use of the bay during the Vietnam War
Cam Ranh Bay, a deep-water bay in Khánh Hòa Province, Vietnam, was strategically important to the United States during the Vietnam War. The bay, with one of the largest natural harbours in the Far East, was used by the U.S. Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
In 1963, the U.S. began developing the bay's infrastructure, including the construction of a pier and causeway, roads, and a water system. The Cam Ranh Air Force Base was built and used by the U.S. Air Force during the war. It was part of the large Cam Ranh Bay logistics facility, which was the major military seaport used by the U.S. for the offloading of supplies and military equipment. The Air Force operated a large cargo/airlift facility, which was also used as a tactical fighter base and as a strategic and tactical airlift site. The U.S. Navy used the base for aerial surveillance of South Vietnam's coastal waters, and the Army operated a major port facility and depot.
Cam Ranh Bay was also the site of the 6th Convalescent Center, where wounded soldiers could recover and receive further treatment. The base was one of the most secure USAF bases in South Vietnam due to its location on a peninsula.
The U.S. continued to use Cam Ranh Bay long after the Navy's combat forces withdrew from South Vietnam as part of the Vietnamization of the war. However, in 1972, the Naval Air Facility and the Naval Communications Station turned over their installations to the Vietnamese Navy, ending the Navy's seven-year operation at the base.
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Soviet Union's lease of the bay
Cam Ranh Bay, a deep-water bay in Vietnam, has been a significant military site since the 19th century. In 1979, the Soviet Union signed a 25-year lease with Vietnam to use the bay as a naval base. This was a rent-free agreement.
The bay was the largest Soviet naval base outside the Soviet Union, allowing it to project power in the East Sea. The Soviets expanded the base to four times its original size, adding five piers, two dry docks, installations for nuclear submarines, fuel and weapons storage, and barracks. The base was especially important as the Soviet Union's Pacific bases in the Far East were restricted due to ice, while Cam Ranh Bay offered warm waters.
The first Soviet naval ships arrived at the base in March 1979. As early as 1988, there were discussions within the Soviet government about a possible withdrawal from the bay. By 1990, concrete naval reductions were realised. In October 2001, the Russian government announced it would withdraw from the bay before its lease expired in 2004.
Since 2011, Vietnamese authorities have hired Russian consultants and purchased Russian technologies to reopen Cam Ranh Bay as a naval maintenance and logistics facility for foreign warships. Vietnam set a deadline of 2015 for the construction of a repair facility for Russian and Soviet ships at the bay.
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Russian withdrawal from the bay
Cam Ranh Bay, a deep-water bay in Vietnam, has been a significant military site for many countries since the 19th century. The French, Russians, Japanese, and Americans have all used the bay as a naval base and refuelling station.
The Russian withdrawal from Cam Ranh Bay took place in stages. In 1989, offensive weapons, including MiG-23s and Tu-16s, were withdrawn, and the number of personnel was halved to 2,500. In 2001, the Vietnamese government announced that following the expiration of Russia's lease in 2004, Vietnam would not sign any new military agreements for the use of the bay. On October 17, 2001, the Russian government declared its intention to withdraw completely from Cam Ranh Bay before the end of its rent-free lease in 2004. The Russians cited a dwindling defence budget as the reason for their departure. The base was officially returned to Vietnamese control on May 2, 2002.
However, Russia continued to maintain a presence at the base, with support personnel for a listening station remaining even after the withdrawal of Russian aircraft. In 2014, an agreement was signed during a visit to Sochi by Nguyễn Phú Trọng, allowing Russian warships to use the port of Cam Ranh Bay by simply giving prior notice to Vietnamese authorities. Other foreign navies were restricted to only one annual ship visit to Vietnamese ports. Despite the withdrawal of its military forces, Russia continued to utilise Cam Ranh Bay for refuelling its aircraft as late as 2014, and it remains a minor base for the Vietnam People's Air Force.
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Rumours of a US-Vietnam lease agreement
Cam Ranh Bay, a deep-water bay in Vietnam, has been a strategic military location for many countries since the 19th century. The French, Russians, Japanese, and Americans have all used the bay as a refuelling station and military base.
In 1963, the United States developed a renewed interest in the bay, and construction began on a new airfield and pier. The Cam Ranh Air Base was used by the United States Air Force as a tactical fighter base and cargo/airlift facility during the Vietnam War. The base was turned over to the South Vietnam government in 1972 as part of the drawdown of United States military forces in South Vietnam.
In 1979, the Soviet Union started leasing the base rent-free from Vietnam under a 25-year leasing treaty. The Russian government continued to use the base until 2002, when they withdrew completely.
There have been rumours circulating that Vietnam is considering leasing Cam Ranh Bay to the United States again on a long-term basis as a supply base and counter to recent aggressiveness in the South China Sea. However, in 2001, the Vietnamese government announced that they would not sign any agreements to use Cam Ranh Bay for military purposes with any country. In 2014, an agreement was signed allowing Russian warships to use the port with prior notice, while other foreign navies were limited to one annual ship visit.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the US did not sign a contract to rent Cam Ranh Bay. The US did, however, construct a large Cam Ranh Bay logistics facility, which was used as a military base during the Vietnam War.
Yes, in 1979, the Soviet Union signed a 25-year rent-free lease with Vietnam for the Cam Ranh Bay base. In 1993, the Russian government continued this arrangement, allowing for the continued use of the base for signal intelligence.
There have been rumours circulating that Vietnam is considering leasing Cam Ranh Bay to the US on a long-term basis.
