Ambassador Luong Thanh Nghi (Source: VNA)
Sydney (VNA) – A seminar promoting Da Nang tourism was held on December 18 in Sydney, Australia, which is among the top five countries having a large number of visitors to the Vietnamese central city.
It was the first seminar co-hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia and Da Nang municipal authorities as the Da Nang - Vietnam team in the Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race has landed in Sydney port from December 12-26.
Ambassador to Australia Luong Thanh Nghi, in his speech, praised efforts made by Australian captain Wendy Tuck and Vietnamese crew on the Da Nang-Vietnam yacht, which he said, has fostered friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Australia.
He said Da Nang is gaining popularity among Australian tourists and through the yacht race, more and more Australians will learn more about Vietnam and Da Nang in particular.
Tran Chi Cuong, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, highlighted Da Nang as a destination for investment and vacation, adding that the seminar is to give foreigners an insight into its culture, services and development.
The 2015-16 Clipper Race marks the first time in its nineteen-year history that Da Nang is featured as a team and a host port on the race's global circuit.
The race started in London in August and takes 11 months to complete. Its 40,000 mile circumnavigation is divided into shorter legs so crew can choose to take part in either the whole race or one or more legs.
Up to 24 crew members, aged 18 to over 70 of various nationalities and backgrounds, live together on board each of the fleet's twelve 70-foot racing yachts. This means crew have to quickly adapt to being part of a diverse team which eats, sleeps and races together in close quarters.
The race participants are expected to arrive in Da Nang between February 17 and 21.
The twelve Clipper Race yachts with over 250 international crew and supporters will stay in the city until the next leg to Qingdao, China, departing on February 27.-VNA
