The Beijing Olympic torch relay has concluded its 19th leg of its global journey on Tuesday night in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City.

This is the first time for the country to host an Olympic torch relay, and also the last leg of the Beijing Olympic flame's global journey outside China.

Vietnamese vice Premier Nyuyen Thien Nhan attended the closing ceremony.

Chairman of Vietnam's Olympic Committee Nguyen Danh Thai ran as the last torch bearer.

"The 2008 Beijing Olympic flame has arrived in Vietnam. On behalf of people engaged in sports in Vietnam, I extend my gratefulness to the Beijing Olympic Committee, and we'll do our best for a successful Olympic Games."

Hoang Vinh Giang is deputy chairman of Vietnam's Olympic Committee.

"From now on, our city will become part of the Olympic history, which is the pride of everyone of us. Although the Olympic flame only stays in Ho Chi Minh City for a short time, it will be memorized by young generations in Vietnam forever."

Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Hu Qianwen says the successful torch relay in Ho Chi Minh City marks the successful conclusion of the Beijing Olympic flame's global journey outside China.

60 torch bearers took part in the relay, during which thousands of people, many of them enthusiastic Chinese expatriates and students, lined the 10-kilometer route, chanting support for the Beijing Olympic Games.

On Wednesday, the Beijing Olympic flame will fly to Hong Kong where a torch relay will be held on May 2.