International sailors concluded their over 1,200-km journey from Hong Kong (China) to Vietnam’s central coastal city of NhaTrang on October 21, with the first prize awarded to Mascalzone Latino of Italy. 

International sailors concluded their over 1,200-km journey from Hong Kong (China) to Vietnam’s central coastal city of Nha Trang on October 21 (Source: baokhanhhoa.com.vn)

The second and third prizes of the eighth Hong Kong-NhaTrang International Yacht Race went to Ambush and Freefire, both from Hong Kong. 

Departing from Victoria Port in Hong Kong on October 17, 170 sailors from the UK, Italy, China, Russia, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong steered 13 boats to conquer the long journey which took place during the typhoon season. 

Launched in 2004, the biennial tournament is organisedby the Hong Kong Royal Yacht Club, VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Ltd, and other partners, aiming to promote tourism in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province and encourage yacht racing as a sport. 

Randy Dobson, Chairman of California Management Group, said Vietnam has a beautiful coastline, which has been seen as an ideal destination for many international boat races.

He suggested Vietnamese localities duplicate similar competitions which target Vietnamese coastal cities.

Khanh Hoa aims to welcome 5.5 million tourists this year, a year-on-year rise of 17 percent, including 1.7 million foreigners, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. 

The locality is seeking the government’s recognition of Nha Trang as a marine eco-tourism urban area and northern Cam Ranh peninsula as a national tourism site.-VNA