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

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

The Embassy of Viet Nam 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 Da Nang.

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 Viet Nam and docks at Da Nang.

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

The race’s global platform is an excellent opportunity for Viet Nam 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.

(Source: VNA)