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RR RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #2161/01 2360957
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240957Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3164
INFO RUWDQAC/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-PC/G-CI/G-86//
RUEHHI/USDAO HANOI VM
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI//J02/J3/J52//
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//DHO-3//
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 1687
RUWGTCG/COMPACAREA COGARD ALAMEDA CA
RUSKGRD/COGARD INTELCOORDCEN WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 002161 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
 
TAGS: AMGT ECON EFIN VM
SUBJECT:  U.S. COAST GUARD ASSESSMENT TEAM FINDS VIETNAM IN 
COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL SHIP AND PORT SECURITY CODE 
 
¶1.  Summary: From August 6-18, a team from the United States Coast 
Guard's International Port Security Program conducted a review of 
Vietnamese commercial shipping ports in accordance with the Maritime 
Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) and the recently-adopted 
set of security standards referred to as the International Ship and 
Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Based on observations at seven 
commercial ports in Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Ha Long Bay, Quang 
Ninh Province and Hai Phong, the Coast Guard delegation determined 
that Vietnam has substantially implemented the ISPS Code.  End 
Summary. 
 
Visit Background 
---------------- 
 
¶2.  The MTSA was passed shortly after September 11 as a means to 
ensure effective security and anti-terrorism measures are in place 
at ports from which non-U.S. flagged vessels arrive and to which 
U.S. flagged vessels visit.  Under the MTSA, the United States Coast 
Guard (USCG) is responsible for visiting all countries that trade 
with the United States by maritime means to observe implementation 
of the ISPS code and share best practices for implementation.  The 
Coast Guard has conducted similar reviews in more than 50 other 
countries.  Those countries found not to be in compliance with the 
ISPS could suffer negative consequences to their trade with the 
United States due to increased security requirements and delays when 
vessels from their ports attempt to enter the United States. 
 
Assessment Findings 
------------------- 
 
¶3.  During an August 17 out-brief with the DCM and Acting Econ 
Counselor, the head of the USCG delegation, LCDR Mike Long, said 
that the team had a great visit to Vietnam and were very impressed 
by how open and forthcoming their Vietnamese interlocutors from the 
Vietnam Maritime Administration (Vinamarine) and the various ports 
were.  The assessment team visited the facilities of: Tang Cang-Cat 
Lai and Nha Rong Terminal, Saigon New Port-Port of Ho Chi Minh City; 
Interflour Vietnam - Port of Vung Tau; B12 Petroleum - Ha Long City; 
Port and Coal Trading Company - Cam Pha Port; and Hai Phong and Chua 
Ve Terminals and Dai Hai Petrol Corporation - Hai Phong.  Overall, 
the team concluded that Vietnam is implementing the ISPS Code at its 
ports. Long believes that Vietnam recognizes and is upholding its 
obligations as a strong partner in international maritime security 
efforts.  The delegation issued a Country Visit Report detailing its 
findings and recommendations on a national level and providing 
specific comments for each of the ports it visited. 
 
¶4.  The report details several challenges for Vietnam, particularly 
in the areas of access control and inconsistent implementation of an 
effective security drill and exercise program at its port 
facilities.  The USCG delegation noted, however, that these were 
common problems present in many of the countries it has visited. 
The report also identifies several "best practices" used by 
Vietnamese commercial port facilities that the USCG plans to post on 
its website and share with other countries. 
 
Vinamarine Reaction 
------------------- 
 
¶5.  At the August 17 out-brief with Vinamarine, General Director Lam 
was very pleased with the Coast Guard's findings.  He recognized 
that Vietnam still faces many challenges at its commercial port 
facilities, and will continue to work with the numerous port 
operators throughout Vietnam to improve security measures and 
implementation of the ISPS Code.  He thanked the USCG for its visit 
- noting that it was a good opportunity to learn from U.S. 
experiences and spurred increased vigilance for security issues at 
many of Vietnam's ports.  Lam noted that the visit shows the 
international community generally, and the United States 
specifically, are interested in Vietnam and are seeking to help 
Vietnam address maritime security issues.  The General Director 
mentioned Vinamarine's intention to reciprocate the visit and send a 
delegation to the United States to observe security measures at 
select commercial ports. 
 
Next Steps 
---------- 
 
¶6.  Based on this visit, the U.S. Coast Guard will issue a formal 
report later this year.  The regional Coast Guard International Port 
Security Liaison Officer, LCDR Tom Griffitts, will likely deliver 
 
HANOI 00002161  002 OF 002 
 
 
the final report to Vinamarine in person this December.  The 
delegation expects the final report to call for a follow-up review 
of Vietnam's port facilities by a small team of Coast Guard 
officials six months after the report's issuance (i.e., in May or 
June 2007). 
 
 
MARINE