The Beijing Olympic flame has arrived in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam for the 19th leg of its global torch relay. This is the first time an Olympic flame has ever been in Vietnam. With support from the Vietnamese government and enthusiasm from the local people, everything is ready for the torch relay.
The chartered plane carrying the flame touched down at Tan Son Nhat international airport at 11pm, local time.
The chartered plane carrying the flame touched down at Tan Son Nhat international airport at 11pm, local time.
BOCOG's Executive Vice President Li Binghua, was the first to step off the plane with the lantern carrying the flame.
He was greeted by Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Vietnam National Olympic Committee, Hoang Vinh Giang, and China's Ambassador to Vietnam Hu Qianwen.
Hoang Vinh Giang said, "I hope the Olympic torch relay will be a success. It is a great contribution of the Vietnamese people, in particular, the people of Ho Chi Minh City to the spirit of sports and the 2008 Beijing Olympics".
Chinese embassy staff, representatives from Chinese businesses and students welcomed the flame.
Ho Chi Minh City is well prepared for Tuesday's torch relay.
The government has asked that all efforts be made to ensure the event is a success.
Nguyen Vu UU, vice chairman director of Foreign Affairs Dept., Ho Chi Minh city,said, "We've been preparing for the torch relay for half a month. We're ready in every way. I believe that the event in Ho Chi Minh City will be a success."
The torch will be carried from the City Theatre through downtown streets to the Military Zone 7 Competition Hall, where the official torch relay ceremony will take place. Around 60 torchbearers will participate in the event.
This is also the last leg of the Olympic flame's global journey outside China. After completing the Ho Chi Minh City torch relay, the flame heads to China's Hong Kong.
(CCTV April 29, 2008)