The “Returning to Truong Son” cycling race, the third of its kind launched by the Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People’s Army) newspaper, will kick off in Hanoi on July 15, heard a press briefing in Hanoi on July 12.

The six-day event draws the participation of 14 men’s teams, including two guest teams from Laos and Thailand.

Major-General Pham Van Huan, Editor-in-Chief of the Quan Doi Nhan Dan newspaper, who is also the President of the Vietnam Cycling Federation and the chief of the organising board, said the event aims to mark the 70 anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27).

The event aims to encourage cycling nationwide, improve cyclists’ skills and preparations for international tournaments. 

It is also a chance for the organising board, social activists and people nationwide to pay tribute to martyrs, war invalids, Vietnamese heroic mothers and State policy beneficiary families. 

In localities the race runs through, the organising board will hold activities such as visits to martyrs’ cemeteries, and presenting 15 houses, 20 tonnes of rice, 300 gift packages to policy beneficiary families, and 300 scholarships to needy students. 

On the occasion, the newspaper and the Petroleum Technical Services Corporation will inaugurate a medical station in Cam Van commune, Cam Thuy district, the central province of Thanh Hoa.

Total funding for charitable activities in 2017 is worth nearly 7 billion VND (308,000 USD).

VNA