Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held a meeting in Hanoi on September 3 with 150 officials, experts, coaches and athletes attending the Asian Games (ASIAD) 2018, which ended in Indonesia a day earlier.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc poses for a photo with Vietnam's sport delegation to ASIAD 2018 

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien also attended the meeting, where the PM commended the achievements of the Vietnamese sports delegation. 

This year’s ASIAD saw Vietnam bring home four gold medals, 16 silver and 18 bronze, ranking 17th out of 45 countries and territories in the medal tally.

Especially, the Vietnam Olympic football team was praised for reaching the bronze-medal match for the first time ever. Although the team lost to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 3-4 in a penalty shootout, their performance was celebrated by fans and the boys returned to a hero’s welcome.

Vietnam’s journey to the competition’s top four teams gives hope for the team to advance further at the continental level on the football pitch.

Speaking at the event, PM Phuc stressed that these results were more meaningful when they came to the occasion of the whole country celebrating its National Day (September 2). 

Coaches, athletes showed their willingness, desire of Vietnam sports as well as unity spirit and proud of the country in the Asian event, he said.

This victory also brings the belief for the Vietnamese people in sport, PM Phuc said.

Despite difficulties, the Party and State always paid attention to investment in sports and improvements in policies and mechanisms for coaches and athletes, the leader stressed.

PM Phuc asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to take measures to uphold the strength and continue bringing Vietnamese sports to a new height.

He also requested relevant agencies to work out better regulations on sports and improve policies and mechanisms for coaches and athletes.

This year’s ASIAD saw Vietnam bring home four gold medals, 16 silvers and 18 bronzes, ranking 17th out of 45 countries and territories in the medal tally Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the meeting Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc shakes hands with outstanding athletes and coaches Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc shakes hands with outstanding athletes and coaches On September 2, a programme was held at the My Dinh national stadium to honour outstanding athletes of the Vietnamese sports delegation for their successes Football players Smiles of Vietnamese fans Red covers stadium seating

VNA