Cyclists at the 2018 Return to the Countryside. This year tournament will be on May 19-27. Photo thethao.sggp.org.vn

The organisers announced that 90 cyclists from 13 local teams and two foreign crews from Japan and the Philippines would take part in the event.

The annual tournament has lured young talents such as Nguyen Quoc Bao (Domesco Dong Thap), white jersey winner of the prestigious HCM City Television Cycling Tournament and Ismael Grospe (Philippines), white jersey holder of Return to Dien Bien event early this month; along with veteran riders such as Nguyen Minh Viet (HCM City Mega Market), Ngo Van Phuong (Loc Troi Group) and Tran Nguyen Duy Nhan (Military Zone 7).

Participants will tour 10 stages on a total of 772km through 10 provinces including Kien Giang, Can Tho, Dong Thap and An Giang.

The first stage on May 19 is from Long Xuyen City of An Giang Province to Rach Gia City of Kien Giang Province on 70km.

A total prize money of nearly VND500 million (US$21,500) is up for grabs.

VNS