According to the race organizer, Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh is the fifth stop of the 2023-24 race, which consists of eight stops with 16 individual races and six ocean crossings.
The other teams will arrive in Quang Ninh on Monday.
The teams will stay in the province until next Tuesday.
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race involves nearly 400 sailors on 11 sailing yachts, with the team ‘Ha Long Bay – Vietnam’ representing Vietnam.
|
|
| The ‘Ha Long Bay – Vietnam’ team is about to dock at Ha Long International Cruise Port in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Courtesy of the organizer |
The Vietnamese team won the fourth leg of the race: the Marlow Roaring Forties challenge.
In the previous Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, the ‘Ha Long Bay – Vietnam’ team finished third, despite participating for the first time, and helped promote Ha Long Bay and tourism in Quang Ninh and Vietnam to the world.
James Finney, captain of the Zhuhai team from China, expressed his excitement about arriving in Vietnam, especially the famous Ha Long Bay.
“We have gone through a long, challenging journey, but it’s amazing when we finish [the previous legs] and are welcomed right at the port,” Finney said.
“We celebrated on deck and hope to have more experiences in Ha Long.”
|
|
| Members of the Qingdao team from China win the leg to Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: N.Duong / Tuoi Tre |
Pham Van Hiep, Director of the Ha Long International Cruise Port, said the arrival of the teams in the port prompted Vietnam to modernize its ports to cater to international events.
The Clipper Race was launched in the UK in 1996.
The race brings together entrepreneurs, celebrities, tourism experts, and social activists with global influence.
So far, the race has visited more than 50 cities worldwide.
