The Clipper Race fleet’s arrival in Da Nang tomorrow is being eagerly awaited by both local residents and visitors, and a wide range of events will take place across the city during its 17 - 27 February stay.

Ceremonies to welcome each boat as it arrives will take place at the Han River Port throughout tomorrow.

Between 20 and 27 February, various activities will be held along both banks of the Han River.  Included are an impressive street music performance on Bach Dang’s riverside walk at 7.30pm on 20 February, and the dragon's head breathing fire and squirting water at the eastern end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge at 9.00pm on 20 and 27 February.  In addition, a musical performance will be held at a park near the western end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge from 7.30am – 8.30am on 21 February, whilst a Tuong (classical drama) street performance will take place from 7.30pm - 9.30pm on the same day at a park near its eastern end.

Da Nang-Viet Nam team’s racing yacht

On 21 February, the Da Nang Barefoot Run along the beach will take place from 2.00pm - 9.00pm.  The event is open to all, but intending participants should register in advance either via the website http://danangbarefootrun.com or at the Bo Bien Ngoc Media Company at 139 Trieu Nu Vuong, Hai Chau District.  The registration fee for participants is 50,000 VND and they will receive a T-shirt, a drawstring backpack, and an LED bracelet from the race organisers. There will be 3 races: 2km, 5km and 10km, and Clipper Race crew members will be very welcome to participate.

The annual ‘Cau Ngu’ (Fish Worshipping) Festival for local fishermen will take place at Nguyen Tat Thanh Beach from 8.00am - 9.00pm between 21 and 23 February.  Apart from the solemn rituals, the 3-day event will also feature numerous exciting cultural and sporting activities.

A cultural Exchange Festival featuring a cultural exchange fair, a photo exhibition and memories book will be held at the Han River Port from 8.00am to 9.00am between 23 and 25 February. 

At 7.30am on 25 February, a kayak race will be held on the Han River along the section between the Tran Thi Ly and Han River bridges.  Participants will be from resorts and hotels across the city, and crew members from the Clipper Race fleet will be more than welcome.

A VIP party for the captains of the racing yachts, the organisaing board of the Clipper Round the World Race, some of Da Nang’s leaders, and other invited guests will take place at the Furama Resort Danang at 7.00pm on 22 February.

On 23 February, from 9.00am - noon, and 3.00pm - 9.00pm, local residents and visitors have the opportunity board the boats and experience being a crew member.  Between 24 and 25 February, from 9.00am - noon and 3.00pm - 7.00pm, the Alongside Static Event at the Han River Port allows visitors to meet the crews and get up close to the beautiful racing yachts. 

Visitors and crew members from the Clipper Race fleet will be treated to an impressive concert featuring flamenco and guitar items on the stage at the Han River Port at 8.00pm on 23 February.  A cultural and arts exchange event between Clipper Race teams and local school pupils and students will be held at the same venue from 7.30pm - 9.30pm on 24 February.

The municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local travel agencies will jointly offer attractive tours for the yachts’ crew members and other related participants to promote the city’s tourism.  These will include trips to discover the beauty of the local beaches and the Son Tra Peninsula, and tours to heritage sites in the central region.

Finally, a parade of the racing yachts will take place on the Han River between 7.30pm and 9.00pm on 25 February.  At the same time, the dragon's head at the eastern end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge will breathe fire and squirt water when the yachts near the bridge.

The Clipper Race fleet will leave the city for their next destination on 27 February, and the farewell ceremony will take place at the Han River Port from 10.00am.  The race will actually begin once all the boats are offshore.