The first group of athletes representing Vietnam leave for the Rio Olympic Games on July 25, nearly two weeks ahead of the opening ceremony.

Vietnamese athletesseen at the Olympics sending-off ceremony on July 20. The first Olympians leavefor Rio de Janeiro on July 25.

The athletes, two from the track-and-field and four members of the fencing squads, will take time to adjust to the climate and time difference in Brazil.

Runner Nguyen Thi Huyen will compete in the women’s 400m and 400m hurdles, while walker Nguyen Thanh Ngung will race in the men’s 20km.

Fencers Vu Thanh An and Nguyen Thi Le Dung will take part in the men’s and women’s sabre events, respectively. Nguyen Thi Nhu Hoa is to participate in the women’s  

epee, while youngster Do Thi Anh will fence in the women’s foil.

They will join thousands of international athletes in the Olympic Village.

The Vietnam flag raising ceremony will be organised on July 31.

The whole team will unite two days before the Games officially opens on August 5.

In Rio de Janeiro, track-and-field events will start on August 12, while fencing begins just one day after the opening ceremony.

VNS