Zoe Alvarez
Cam Ranh Bay is a deep-water bay in Vietnam that has been used as a military base by several countries, including the United States during the Vietnam War. The bay has been a strategic location for military operations due to its deep waters close to land. While the United States previously had a presence in the bay, it is unclear if Vietnam is currently renting or leasing Cam Ranh Bay to the United States. There have been rumours and speculations that Vietnam is considering a long-term lease to the US as a supply base and stopover point. However, Vietnam's official defence policy includes a three no's stance, which suggests they will not lease to any foreign country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Khánh Hòa province, Vietnam |
| Type | Deep-water bay |
| History | Used by the US during the Vietnam War; leased to the Soviet Union from 1979-2002; currently divided into a military port and a civilian facility |
| US Naval Access | US Navy ships are permitted to visit the bay once a year; the US was the first country to use Vietnam's commercial repair facilities, open to all navies since 2009 |
| Russian Naval Access | Russia has special access rights to the military port due to its support of Vietnam's naval fleet; Russian ships can dock at the port for maintenance and repairs |
| Vietnamese Defense Policy | Vietnam's official defense policy precludes leasing the bay to any foreign country; however, the 2019 White Paper suggested Vietnam might consider altering this policy |
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What You'll Learn
Cam Ranh Bay's significance as a military base
Cam Ranh Bay is a deep-water bay in Vietnam, located in Khánh Hòa Province. The continental shelf of Southeast Asia is relatively narrow at Cam Ranh Bay, bringing deep water close to land. This makes it the finest deep-water shelter in Southeast Asia.
Historically, the bay has been significant from a military standpoint. The French used it as a naval base for their forces in Indochina. It was also used as a staging area for the Imperial Russian fleet under Admiral Zinovy Rozhestvensky prior to the Battle of Tsushima in 1905, and by the Japanese Imperial Navy in 1942.
In 1964, the United States began developing Cam Ranh as a major base. The US 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 US military personnel entered or departed South Vietnam for their 12-month tour of duty. The US Army operated a major port facility and depot, and the US Navy flew various aircraft from Cam Ranh, conducting aerial surveillance of South Vietnam's coastal waters.
During the Vietnam War, the US Army maintained the 6th Convalescent Center at Cam Ranh Bay, enabling most wounded soldiers to be treated in-country. In 1965, military engineers of the US Army's 35th Engineer Construction Group arrived to set up camp and start building roads for the base. They established a quarry and built a road leading from the quarry to the base through the desert sand. Once the roads were in place, the engineers lengthened the existing pier to provide an additional berth for deep-water freighters.
In May 1972, Cam Ranh facilities were turned over to the South Vietnam government. In 1975, North Vietnamese forces captured Cam Ranh Bay and all of its military facilities. From 1979 to 2002, the facility was used by the Soviet Navy and the Russian Navy. It served as a communications and signal intelligence collection centre and increased Soviet power projection in the East Sea.
In 2009, Vietnam opened its commercial repair facilities to all navies, with the US being the first to take up the offer. Since 2011–2014, 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.
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The US's historical presence in Cam Ranh Bay
Cam Ranh Bay, a deep-water bay in Vietnam, has been a significant military site for many nations throughout history. The French used it as a naval base for their forces in Indochina. In 1905, it served as a staging area for the Imperial Russian fleet under Admiral Zinovy Rozhestvensky before the Battle of Tsushima. The Japanese also used the bay as a base for their invasion of British Malaya and British Borneo (now Malaysia) during World War II.
Recognizing its strategic value, the United States began developing a presence in Cam Ranh Bay in the 1960s. In 1963, Admiral Harry D. Felt, the U.S. Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, directed the construction of a 350-foot (110-meter) pier and causeway at the bay, which was completed by 1964. This marked the beginning of the U.S. transformation of Cam Ranh into a major military base. The U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet conducted surveys and explored sites for facilities, and in 1965, the U.S. military constructed a vast supply-base complex and airfields. The U.S. Air Force operated a large cargo and airlift facility, the Cam Ranh Air Base, which also served as a tactical fighter base. Cam Ranh Bay was one of three aerial ports where U.S. military personnel entered or departed South Vietnam for their 12-month tours of duty. The U.S. Navy conducted aerial surveillance of South Vietnam's coastal waters from Cam Ranh and other bases.
During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army maintained the 6th Convalescent Center at Cam Ranh Bay, where wounded soldiers could recover and receive further treatment. The base also included a major port facility and depot. Cam Ranh Bay served as the nerve center for the Navy's Market Time anti-infiltration operations during the war.
In 1972, as the Vietnam War was coming to an end, the U.S. turned over the facilities at Cam Ranh Bay to the South Vietnamese government. Since then, the U.S. has not maintained a permanent presence at the bay, although there have been occasional visits by U.S. Navy ships, such as the USNS Richard E. Byrd in 2011, which was the first U.S. Navy ship to visit in over 38 years. There have been rumors and speculations about Vietnam leasing Cam Ranh Bay to the U.S., but Vietnam's official defense policy precludes this, adhering to their longstanding "three no's" defense policy.
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Vietnam's defence policy regarding foreign countries
- No alignment with one country against another
- No military alliances
- No hosting of foreign military bases on Vietnamese territory
The "three no's" policy has been a central tenet of Vietnam's military diplomacy, aiming to maintain independence and neutrality in the complex geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia. This policy has been interpreted as a way to avoid incorporation into a Chinese sphere of influence while also limiting Vietnamese military engagement with the West, particularly the United States.
However, in recent years, there have been speculations that Vietnam might be reconsidering its "three no's" policy. In its 2019 White Paper, Vietnam hinted at the possibility of developing "necessary, appropriate defence and military relations with other countries" under specific conditions. This supplementary clause provides Vietnam with more flexibility in its foreign relations and allows it to strengthen its security position without completely abandoning its original commitments.
Vietnam has been actively engaging in defence diplomacy and has established defence relations with 60 countries, including major powers. It has defence attaché offices in 34 countries, while 45 countries have opened their defence attaché offices in Vietnam. The country has also been participating in international initiatives, such as the US Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), and military exercises like Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).
In terms of its relationship with the United States, Vietnam has been expanding its security cooperation. The two countries have held several Political, Security, and Defense Dialogues to discuss bilateral security cooperation, reflecting a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, the United States has provided defence articles, security assistance, and foreign military sales to Vietnam, further strengthening their defence ties.
Regarding Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam's official defence policy currently precludes leasing it to the United States or any other foreign country as a military base. However, there have been rumours and speculations about the possibility of a long-term lease to the US as a supply base or stopover point. Cam Ranh Bay has historically been significant from a military standpoint, serving as a base for various foreign powers, including the French, Americans, and Soviets. In recent years, US warships have visited the Cam Ranh International Port, the civilian facility, while Russia has been granted special access to the military port due to its support of Vietnam's naval fleet.
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Soviet Union/Russia's leasing of Cam Ranh Bay
Cam Ranh Bay, a deep-water bay in Vietnam, has been a significant military base for several countries over the years. Located in Khánh Hòa Province, it has been used as a naval base by the French in Indochina, the Japanese Imperial Navy, and the United States.
In 1979, the Soviet Union began leasing Cam Ranh Bay from Vietnam under a 25-year rent-free treaty. The base served as a communications and signal intelligence collection centre, and it eased Soviet logistical support for its naval forces in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. The Soviets expanded the base, adding piers, dry docks, installations for nuclear submarines, fuel and weapons storage facilities, and barracks. By 1987, the base had expanded to four times its original size, and it was the largest Soviet naval base outside the Soviet Union.
The Soviet Union's lease of Cam Ranh Bay allowed it to project increased power in the East Sea and make mock attacks towards the Philippines. The Vietnamese side also saw the Soviet presence as a counterweight to any potential Chinese threat. However, by the late 1980s, the Soviet Union was considering withdrawing from the base, and concrete naval reductions were realised by 1990.
In 1993, Russia continued the earlier Soviet arrangement, allowing for the continued use of the base for signal intelligence, primarily on Chinese communications in the South China Sea. By this time, Russian aircraft had been withdrawn, and only support personnel for the listening station remained.
In 2001, the Vietnamese government announced that following the expiration of Russia's lease in 2004, Vietnam would not allow any country to use Cam Ranh Bay for military purposes. The Russian government subsequently announced its decision to withdraw from the base before the lease expired in 2004, citing budgetary reasons. The reversion of the base to Vietnamese control took place in May 2002.
In recent years, there have been rumours that Vietnam is considering leasing Cam Ranh Bay to the United States or Russia again, but Vietnam's official defence policy precludes leasing the bay to any foreign country. However, Vietnam has hired Russian consultants and purchased Russian technologies to reopen Cam Ranh Bay as a naval maintenance and logistics facility for foreign warships.
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Cam Ranh Bay's current status and future prospects
Cam Ranh Bay, a deep-water bay in Vietnam, has been a significant military base for several countries over the years. The French used it as a naval base during their rule in Indochina. During the Vietnam War, the US Army maintained a presence at Cam Ranh Bay, using it as a major base for their forces. The United States Air Force operated a large cargo/airlift facility, which was also used as a tactical fighter base. The US Navy also conducted aerial surveillance of South Vietnam's coastal waters from the bay.
After the Vietnam War, the US Navy's presence at Cam Ranh Bay diminished, with their last ships departing in 1975. However, in 2009, the US Navy became the first country to take up Vietnam's offer to open its commercial repair facilities to the world's navies. Since then, the US has conducted several repairs and maintenance work on its ships at Cam Ranh Bay.
In recent years, there have been speculations about Vietnam leasing Cam Ranh Bay to the United States. Vietnam's 2019 White Paper hinted at a possible shift in its "three no's" defense policy, which includes not leasing Cam Ranh Bay to any foreign country. The country's strategic location near the South China Sea makes it an attractive option for the US, especially in light of recent aggressions in the region. However, Vietnam has maintained friendly relations with various countries, including Russia, and has diversified its weapon trade partners, reducing its dependence on any single country.
Currently, Cam Ranh Bay is divided into a military port and a civilian facility. The military port is primarily accessed by Russia due to their support of Vietnam's Russian-constructed naval fleet. The civilian facility, Cam Ranh International Port, was established in 2016 and has hosted several US warships since then.
Looking ahead, Cam Ranh Bay's future prospects are closely tied to the geopolitical interests of various countries in the region. Vietnam's willingness to grant access to its facilities may depend on the circumstances and specific conditions presented by interested countries. The bay's strategic location and deep-water capabilities will continue to make it a sought-after harbour for military and commercial purposes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is a deep-water bay in Khánh Hòa Province, Vietnam.
Yes, the US had a major military base in Cam Ranh Bay during the Vietnam War. The base was used by the US Navy, Army, Marine Corps and Air Force.
No, the US did not lease the base but had access to it during the Vietnam War.
Yes, in 1979, Vietnam leased the base to the Soviet Union for 25 years. The lease ended in 2002, two years earlier than planned, due to rising rent.
No, Vietnam has stated it will not lease Cam Ranh Bay or any of its islands to any foreign country for military purposes. However, there are rumours that Vietnam is considering leasing the bay to the US on a long-term basis.
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