VHM_0046

This badge belonged to the Hát Giang (HQ-400), a hospital ship in the Republic of Vietnam Navy (Hải Quân Việt Nam Cộng Hòa). In the South Vietnamese Navy, each large vessel carried a unique insignia. The Hát Giang was notable for providing medical aid to soldiers stationed along the coast. As South Vietnamese naval vessels prepared to flee Vietnam in April 1975, crews were ordered to lower their flags and remove identifying symbols to avoid detection. Recognizing the significance of the ship and its mission, Nguyễn Đức Lợi removed this badge and kept it as a keepsake. He later donated it to honor the memory of HQ-400 and the final chapter of the Republic of Vietnam Navy.