The club said the 656-nautical-mile, category-one VinaCapital Hong Kong to Vietnam Race 2010 would start on October 20 and finish in the resort city of Nha Trang.

The organizer is taking registrations from teams.

The biennial competition has been in place since 2006, with the HCMC-based Saigontourist Holding Company being the local partner. The 2008 edition was attended by 13 yachts.

A source from Saigontourist told the Daily that the company was waiting for approval from the Government to bring international boats to Vietnam to promote the local tourism image.

In a related development, the central coast province of Binh Thuan will organize an international sailing festival in December, with yacht performances and other activities such as music and dance performances.

The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT), a professional sailing series that features nine World Championship events worldwide, will come to Nha Trang next year.