Hundreds of riders to compete in trans-Vietnam cycling tourney

As many as 300 riders representing 15 domestic and two foreign teams (Laos and Cambodia) will participate in a trans-Vietnam cycling tournament from December 2-16.

The event is part of activities to mark the 70th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1944-2014) and the 25th anniversary of the whole people’s national defence festival (December 22, 1989-2014).

The bicycle race, co-organised by the People’s Army Newspaper, the Vietnam Motor-Bicycle Sports Federation and the military telecom group Viettel, features 12 stages covering nearly 1,300 kilometres from the southernmost province of Ca Mau to northern Cao Bang province.

Total prize money worth VND500 million (US$23,500) is up for grabs, with the winning team securing VND60 million and the winner of the overall yellow jersey claiming VND50 million.

During the race, the organising board will offer incense to fallen heroes and martyrs at Ca Mau, Truong Son and Road 9 cemeteries and visit Uncle Ho’s house in Nghe An province, the grave of General Vo Nguyen Giap in Quang Binh province and the Tran Hung Dao forest relic site in Cao Bang – the birthplace of the Armed Propaganda Brigade for the Liberation of Vietnam (forerunner of the Vietnam People’s Army).

The organisers will also spend over VND2 billion (US$94,000) buying presents for national contributors and policy beneficiaries and granting scholarships to children of the officials and soldiers serving in the armed forces.

Anh Vien plans to make a splash in Quatar

Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, the nation’s top female swimmer, is preparing to make waves at the World Swimming Championships set to take place November 30-December 8 in the capital city of Doha, Quatar.

Under the guidance of her new American coach, Cray Anthony Teeters, Vien has pinned her hopes on winning medals at both the 28th SEA Games and the World Swimming Championships.

She has also recently revealed a personal goal to become the first Vietnamese athlete to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

Previously, swimmer Anh Vien had won Vietnam a ‘historic’ medal at the Asian Games finishing third in the 400m individual medley, with a time of 4:39.65.

Ha Noi wins as table tennis open ends

The Ha Noi Table Tennis Open ended over the weekend after eight months of competition with victories for the hosts in the men's individual and team events.

The tournament, which attracted more than 700 athletes from 90 clubs nationwide, took place from March to November.

Nguyen Trung Kien of Ha Noi T&T triumphed after defeating teammate Vu Manh Duy in the finals of the men's individual event. In the men's team event, Ha Noi Adidas Club emerged as champion.

According to the Viet Nam Table Tennis Federation, the tournament will be included in the federation's competition system next year.