“Da Nang-Vietnam” named at int’l sport event

The ceremony to officially name “Da Nang-Vietnam” was held in London (Photo:VNA)

A ceremony to officially name “Da Nang-Vietnam” as one of the 12 yachts participating in the Clipper Race was held at the St Catherine Docks in London on August 26.

The Embassy of Vietnam in the United Kingdom invited more than 100 guests including the Deputy Lord Mayor of London, UK-based Vietnamese businesses, artists and media to participate in the event.

Addressing the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Van Thao told the audience how much the Clipper Race means to the central Da Nang city.

He said that since 1996, the Clipper Race has visited 55 different stops all over the world but February of next year will be the first time the Clipper Race visits Vietnam and docks at Da Nang city.

This marks a milestone in the relationship between Vietnam and the UK, he added.

The race’s global platform is an excellent opportunity for Vietnam as well as Da Nang to boost international trade, investment, economic impact and tourism while also enhancing social, cultural and diplomatic relations with the UK and many countries along the race route.

The 40,000-nautical mile Clipper Race 2015-2016, one of the most competitive and challenging sports activities in the world, will start from London and race around the world, crossing South America, Australia, Asia and the US.

The event will be streamed live on CNN, BBC, and Discovery with as many as 4.4 billion viewers.-VNA