A sailboat race was held for the first time on Phu Quoc Island off Vietnam’s southern province of Kien Giang.

The race kicked off on Thursday at Dinh Cau Beach in Duong Dong Town.

Jointly organized by the Kien Giang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Thien Vu Advertisement Joint Stock Company, it was part of the activities to celebrate the 2016 National Tourism Year.

Closing on May 6, the sailboat race attracted 27 teams with a total of 54 local and foreign athletes.

Contestants sailed Catamaran, a type of boat consisting of two hulls joined by a frame, manufactured by the Vietnam - Czech Joint Stock Company.

According to the organizers, the event was intended to promote sailing in not only Kien Giang but also other coastal cities and provinces.

It was also seen as a chance for amateur and professional athletes to meet and share their personal experience in practicing the sport.

Nearly 1,000 people came to the kickoff event to watch and cheer the contestants.

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