This year’s edition also features 250 international participants from 20 embassies, international organizations, and international schools operating in Hanoi.

In the advanced competition category, several elite athletes with a track record of national success will compete. Notable names include Dao Minh Tri, Ba Van Han, Trinh Quoc Hung (Army), Le Van Thao (Thanh Hoa), and Leo Thi My (Son La).

Competitors will race in distances of 1.75 km (1 lap around the lake), 3.5 km (2 laps), 5.25 km (3 laps), and 8.75 km (5 laps). The total prize value is approximately 250 million VND (about USD 10,300).

Also on September 22 in Hanoi, a ceremony was held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam Paralympic Committee. Since 2016, Vietnam’s para-athletes have made significant strides on the global stage. They earned one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals at the 2016 Paralympics in Brazil, and eight gold medals at the Asian Para Games.

At the 2020 Paralympics in Japan, Vietnam secured one silver medal, while at the 2024 Games in France, the nation added a bronze to its collection. The Vietnam Paralympic Committee now aims to develop 16 sports by 2030 and attract 40,000 athletes with disabilities to participate regularly. Among them, 55 to 60 will form the core high-performance athlete group maintained annually.

Dai Nam