VietNamNet Bridge – Da Nang, a coastal city in central Vietnam, recently launched a countdown clock for the 5th Asian Beach Games (ABG-5), scheduled to be hosted by the city in nearly one year’s time. The event will offer an ideal opportunity to promote Vietnam, particularly its sea tourism, to international friends.

The ABG-5 will be a good opportunity to promote Vietnam, especially its sea tourism to international friends.

The ABG is one of the largest multi-sport events regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). It has been held every two years for athletes representing countries from Asia since it debuted in Bali, Indonesia seven years ago. After four rounds of the Games, Vietnam has shown clear improvements in terms of both the quality of participating athletes and overall achievements. Most recently in Thailand, Vietnam ended up in fifth place on aggregate, winning a total of eight gold, 12 silver and 20 bronze medals.

Vietnam holds the upper-hand as the host the ABG-5 next year. Despite the presence of several new sports in the competition programme, Deputy Director of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training Tran Duc Phan still voiced his solid belief in Vietnamese athletes’ possibility of winning gold medals at the Games.

“We should be able to seize gold in about 11 to 12 of the 14 events. Preparations for the ABG-5 mission have already begun. Some teams have even been training for months,” Phan said. “The Vietnam sports delegation will strive to make the top four at next year’s Games. With ongoing preparations and an existing staff of athletes, I believe this goal is quite feasible,” he added.

Why has Da Nang been chosen as the host city of the ABG-5? Almost anyone that has ever been to this peaceful and hospitable city can answer the question themselves.

The ABG debuted in line with the OCA’s initiative aiming to promote sea tourism and develop sea sports. The Games has been highly appreciated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) not only as a playing ground for sea sports, but also as a harmonious combination between sports and tourism.

An estimated 10,000 people are expected to gather in Da Nang for the ABG-5, including over 3,100 athletes and 1,500 trainers from 45 countries across Asia; 550 international referees, supervisors and technical officials; 900 domestic referees; 2,200 local volunteers, and approximately 600 reporters from both at home and abroad. Apart from the 2009 Asian Indoor Games, the ABG-5 will be also one of the largest sporting events to be hosted by Vietnam.

Not all people are aware that Da Nang is considered one of Vietnam’s best cities; however, it should become clear as soon as their feet land on the beautiful beaches running along the Son Tra peninsula. Da Nang is also widely known as a hospitable host of the annual international fireworks competition on the Han River.

Da Nang citizens are not only friendly and welcoming but also enthusiastic, which can be seen on every street corner, making the city suitable for the mission of representing Vietnam to welcome international friends to the ABG-5.

Recently, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Le Khanh Hai, along with members of the ABG-5 organising committee, inspected the scheduled competition venues including Bien Dong (East Sea) Park, My Khe Beach, the Pham Van Dong-Vo Nguyen Giap intersection and the Son Thuy bathing area, with conditions in line with international standards. All infrastructure measures relating to the Games’ technical and expertise requirements have been implemented with the coordination of the city.

The ABG is not only a sporting event, but it is also a bridge connecting nations. With Da Nang in particular and Vietnam as a whole, the ABG offers an ideal opportunity to advertise Vietnam as an attractive and friendly destination.

OCA Director General, Mr. Husain Al Musallam complimented Vietnam on its long and beautiful coastlines with luxurious hotels and resorts, along with a temperate climate and delicious food. He also spoke highly of the country’s previous experience in hosting many large sporting events on both the regional and continental scale.

Those appreciations reflect a belief, an expectation and also a requirement. The first time always poses numerous difficulties; however, with the countdown clock officially launched, Da Nang has pledged its utmost efforts for the success of the ABG-5.

Nhan Dan