HO CHI MINH CITY -- Residents and students in Vietnam's biggest city of Ho Chi Minh said they were longing for the Olympic torch relay to be held for the first time in the country on Tuesday.

"I am eager to watch the Olympic torch relay because our city is one of 21 cities in the world hosting the event. It is our pride," said Nguyen Vuong Anh Phuong, third-year student at the International University under the Ho Chi Minh City National University.

The torch relay is also a good opportunity to promote the image of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's economic and commercial hub, to the outside world, the 20-year-old student at the Business Administration Department added.

After the relay, most outstanding Vietnamese athletes will compete with other athletes around the world at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and then bag home "as many as medals as possible, especially gold medals," she said, smiling.

The Beijing Olympic flame arrived in Ho Chi Minh city late Monday night and the torch relay is scheduled in early Tuesday evening.

The relay will start from the Opera House in the city center and end at a stadium near the Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

"Hosting Olympic torch relay is an honor, a pride. The torch relay falls on April 29. We celebrate our country's reunification on April 30. Therefore, we will enjoy double happiness this time," said Hoang Anh, a student at the Chinese Department of the Teachers Training University. He said he would try his best to watch the torch relay in person,

He said that Vietnam could grasp gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, noting that he pins the greatest hope on taekwondo fighters, including Nguyen Van Hung and Hoang Ha Giang.

"Over the past few days, I've seen lots of colorful banners welcoming the Beijing Olympic torch relay along streets and roads from the airport  to the city's center, our city looks more colorful and beautiful with the banners," said Le Van Thong said, a young taxi driver. "It is interesting to watch our athletes, trainers and sports officials to bear the Olympic flame and run along our beautiful streets," he said.

Nguyen Tien Dat, who offers motorbike taxi service at Ben Thanh Market, the biggest market in Ho Chi Minh City, echoed Thong's statement.  Dat said he would carry his two little sons to the city's Theater to watch the torch relay.

"It must be very exciting. I've never seen Olympic torch relay in person, just on TV. So this time, our family will come to see it at any cost," the middle-aged man said, smiling.

"I'll arrange my work so that I can have time to attend the torch relay ceremony. If I am too busy, I will watch it on TV because the relay is an important part of Olympic Games," said 28-year-old accountant named Hoang Thu Thuy of Vinh Xuan Computer Company.

"I also like watching Olympic opening ceremony in China. It must be very superb. And competition must be very exciting. I hope Vietnam will gain some medals, maybe one or two gold medals. We are very good at martial arts," she said.