President Vo Van Thuong will lead a Vietnamese delegation to attend the coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom from May 4 to 6.

The participation will be made at the invitation of the Royal Family of the UK, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel to pay official visit to Vietnam

Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel will pay an official visit to Vietnam from May 3-5.

The visit will be made at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, according to the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vietnam attends ASEAN- China Intangible Cultural Heritage Week

Le Ngoc Theatre and Vietnam Cheo (traditional opera) Theatre represented Vietnam to introduce special performances to international friends at the ASEAN- China Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Week held in Nanning, the capital of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, from April 22-28.

The maiden event aimed to increase exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN member states and China in the protection, inheritance, utilisation and development of intangible cultural heritage in the region and the world.

In addition to special art performance acts, including “Crickets” and “Five variables”, which won the applause of audiences, Vietnamese artists also introduced the diversity in types of performance such as "mua sap" dance (Cheraw dance), Xoan singing and trumpet dancing, among others, 

Besides art performance shows, the delegations also took part in ASEAN-China Intangible Culture Fair where traditional handicrafts, brocade products and folk sculpture products of nations were showcased.

Second int'l hot-air balloon festival opens in Tuyen Quang

The second International Hot-Air Balloon Festival opened in Tuyen Quang city in the northern mountainous province of the same name on April 28.

The festival, which will last to May 2, will be the highlight of the Tuyen Quang Tourism Year 2023.

It will take place across two venues, namely Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang city, and Na Tong Stadium in Lam Binh district.

This year’s edition brings together a total of 20 balloons under the control of experienced pilots from different countries and territories around the world, including Japan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, the Netherlands, India, Slovakia, Russia, Taiwan (China), and Vietnam.

During the five-day event, visitors will have a chance to fly the balloons and see major local tourist sites from above, visit caves, go kayaking on Na Hang lake, and participate in a series of entertainment activities.

This year, Tuyen Quang is aiming to welcome more than 2.5 million tourist arrivals.

Overseas Vietnamese in Laos confident in home country's future

Forty-eight years after the national reunification, the Vietnamese community in Laos have been proud of the country’s achievements in national development and external relations, and supported the Party and State’s policy regarding the overseas Vietnamese (OV) community.

Pham Van Hung, President of the Vietnamese Association in Laos, attributed the country’s current success to the continuous and persistent efforts of the Party, State and people. He affirms that the country is on the right way to socialism and the proper “Doi Moi” (Renewal) policy and the Party’s leadership, he said.

He underlined that the country’s achievements lay the foundation for Vietnamese people’s confidence in the country’s future of prosperous socialism and happiness.

Hung expressed his delight at the development of the ties between the two Parties and States of Vietnam and Laos, which practically benefit both peoples and contribute to the socio-economic development in each country.

He highly valued the great attention that the Party and State have given to the Vietnamese community in Laos, which, together with the OV community in general, is defined as an inseparable part of the national great solidarity bloc.

Tran Thi Hue, a 70-year-old OV in Laos, said that she always keeps in her mind the absolute trust in the leadership of the Party, State and Government of Vietnam, and appreciates the support that Vietnam has given to the Vietnamese community in Laos, especially in education.

She said that the construction of Nguyen Du school, funded by the Vietnamese Government in 2005 in Vientiane, has provided a good education facility for Vietnamese and Lao students, giving them favourable conditions to study Vietnamese. Each year, Vietnam offers many scholarships to children from the Vietnamese community in Laos.
         
Le Anh Duc, Vice President of the Vietnamese Association in Vientiane, said that the Party and State of Vietnam have not only given timely support and optimal conditions to the Vietnamese community in Laos to live, study and work, but also backed Vietnamese businesses in operating and investing in the neighbouring country, thus contributing to the economic development of both sides and deepening the special relations between Vietnam and Laos.

HCM City reactivates campaign to protect high-risk groups against COVID-19

Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Health has reactivated the campaign to protect people of the high-risk groups against the COVID-19 pandemic, including those aged over 50, those with underlying diseases and pregnant women, Deputy Director of the city’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Le Hong Nga said on April 27.

Nga said that since the beginning of April, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Ho Chi Minh City has surged, especially from April 14, resulting in a rise in the number of hospitalised patients.

The municipal Department of Health will request the People's Committees of wards and communes to review and make a list of people belonging to the groups in their localities to ensure all are fully vaccinated with four doses.

To prevent the spread of the pandemic, the CDC also recommended each citizen, in addition to being fully vaccinated, must also consciously take preventive measures such as washing hands regularly, wearing face masks, keeping distance, and avoid mass gatherings, especially on holidays and festivals.

In face of a risk of the COVID-19 outbreak after the national holidays of Hung Kings Commemoration Day, National Reunification and May Day from April 29 to May 3, the municipal People’s Committee recently sent a dispatch requiring leaders of departments, sectors and localities to direct the strengthening of prevention and control measures during the five-day holiday.

The department will maintain vaccination throughout the holidays.

The Hospital for Tropical Diseases and assigned hospitals were asked to prepare personnel, and medical equipment and supplies to operate a hospital for COVID-19 treatment within 24 hours after it is activated.

Art performance celebrates 30th anniversary of Vietnam-Uruguay diplomatic ties

The Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism organised a special art programme to celebrate the 30th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Uruguay diplomatic ties in Montevideo on April 27 night (local time).

The event saw the attendance of Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Uruguay Sebastian Andujar, and other Uruguayan legislators, officials and friends.

In her remarks, Uruguayan Acting Minister of Education and Culture Anna Ribeiro said since the bilateral diplomatic relations were set up in 1993, Uruguay has learnt a lot from Vietnam, adding that Uruguay has also admired the Southeast Asian nation for its undaunted spirit during the past struggle for national liberation and reunification.

The host official noted with pleasure Vietnam’s establishment of diplomatic relations with 33 Latin American countries and the signing of the minutes of the third meeting of the Vietnam- Uruguay Joint Committee for Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation on the occasion of NA Chairman Hue’s ongoing visit.

She emphasised that apart from economic and trade cooperation, people-to-people exchanges have helped bring the two countries closer.

Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said through the art programme, Vietnam wants to promote itself as a country with diverse culture and hospitable people, expressing his hope that Uruguayans and other international friends will understand more about the country.

Exhibition brings indigenous Australian culture to Hanoi

A multimedia installation exhibition named “Walking Through A Songline” opened at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi on April 27, as part of celebrations to mark the 50th founding anniversary of Australia-Vietnam diplomatic relations.

The exhibition invites visitors to a space of immersive light projections, following the footsteps of the Seven Sisters as they traverse the Western and Central deserts of Australia.

Songlines (or Dreaming) are central to the existence of Australia’s First Nations’ (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) peoples, mapping the routes of Ancestral beings as they travelled across Australia, creating the land and its people. They are a way of holding and passing on knowledge to new generations. 

Addressing the event, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski said that one of the Australian Government's missions is to bring the stories of Australia to the world. This includes knowledge and stories about Australia's indigenous people.

By bringing the exhibition to Hanoi, the Australian Government is sharing these stories with friends in Vietnam, he said.

Nguyen Thi Tuyet, Director of the Vietnamese Women's Museum, a co-organiser of the exhibition in Hanoi, said the exhibition offered an in-depth exploration of the cultural and historical stories of Australia through a unique digital display form, adding that this will be a great gift for Hanoians.

The exhibition will run until May 21.

PM requests more dialogues to listen to labourers’ thoughts, aspirations

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 27 attended a ceremony to launch the Action Month on Occupational Safety and Hygiene and the Month for Workers in 2023, during which he stressed the need to pay more attention to labourers, and listen to their thoughts and aspirations.

Speaking at the event, PM Chinh stressed the economic restructuring, the change in production and business methods, the transfer of labourers between regions, economic zones and enterprises require workers to quickly and flexibly adapt to these changes.

Meanwhile, a proportion of workers, especially those working in the informal sector, do not have sustainable jobs. Many workers lose their jobs and have working hours reduced, especially in the past two years due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption of supply and production chains in the world. The demand for housing and basic facilities of workers is still very huge but has not been met yet, according to the PM.

Therefore, it is necessary to seek measures to solve difficulties and obstacles to improve workers’ living and working conditions, promote innovation and creativity and diversify economic components to create more jobs and livelihoods for them, he said.

Ministries, sectors and localities were requested to ensure full access to basic and essential social services for employees; soon have fundamental solutions to improve the national labour productivity; and build and implement human resources development strategies, especially high-quality human resources, with attention paid to remote, border areas and islands.

Joint actions are needed to build and develop a modern, multi-layered, inclusive and sustainable social welfare system, PM Chinh said, stressing the importance of measures to ensure occupational safety and hygiene, and proactively prevent occupational accidents and diseases, particularly for female employees.

Trade unions at all levels should focus on caring for and performing well their roles of representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of their members, and representing them to negotiate and sign collective labour agreements; and actively contribute to supplementing and perfecting policies and laws on labour.

Currently, Vietnam's workforce amounts to more than 52 million people.

MoU signed for cardiovascular health project

Around 10,000 healthcare professionals nationwide are expected to enhance their capability in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases of the elderly through a project called “Population Cardiovascular Health”. 

The Vietnam National Heart Association (VNHA) on April 26 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US drug firm Pfizer Vietnam to partner on the project “Population Cardiovascular Health” by 2025.

The three-year project aims to improve the healthcare professionals’ qualification in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in elderly patients through interdisciplinary coordination and the effective use of anticoagulants.

It marks a critical milestone for a long-term collaboration between the two parties in the advanced management of cardiovascular patients and making a positive impact on community healthcare.

Under the MoU, the two parties will support funding to provide updated scientific evidence and training for healthcare professionals nationwide through activities such as online training, monthly medical newsletters, and intensive hands-on training.

Hospitals asked not to refuse, delay emergencies during national holidays

The Health Ministry’s Department of Medical Service Administration has recently requested hospitals nationwide not to refuse or delay treatment of emergencies during the national holidays of Hung Kings Commemoration Day, National Reunification and May Day from April 29 to May 3.

In a dispatch sent to hospitals and Departments of Health of provinces and centrally-run cities, the department asked them to assign sufficient staff on duty in administrative, professional, management, and security aspects, to ensure that all patients in emergencies receive check and treatment.

Hospitals must be prepared for quick response to serious traffic accidents, and accidents and disasters involved large numbers of persons (if any). There must be a hotline available round the clock to deliver timely instructions and coordinate with other medical institutes when needed. 

They are also required to submit daily reports on medical checks and treatment activities, and the handling of traffic accidents and COVID-19 infections. In the event of special developments such as outbreaks of COVID-19 or similar dangerous pandemics, disasters, mass accidents, food poisoning, related units must send an urgent report to their direct management agencies for prompt solutions.

Regarding the risk of mass COVID-19 infections, Dr Nguyen Huy Hoang, Director of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment and Research Centre under the Defence Ministry’s Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre, said that during the national holidays, the number of people travelling by public transport, and the density of visitors at tourist destinations will increase sharply, leading to the risk of infection with COVID-19 and other diseases.

To ensure health and safety, he advised those at high risk to stay at home, avoid going to crowded places, and arrange travel on another occasion.

Holiday-makers need to follow the health ministry’s requirements of wearing face masks and disinfecting regularly, added Hoang.

Americans dedicated to supporting Vietnamese disadvantaged children

Richard Creagh Schmitt, and his wife, Dabney Schmitt, have spent years carrying out activities in support of Vietnam, especially local children.

Their love for the Southeast Asian nation was inspired by their eldest son, Landon, who had special sentiments for the country and people of Vietnam. The young man studied and lived in Vietnam for several years before passing away in Ho Chi Minh City in June 2009.

Since then, the US couple decided to fulfill their son’s pending wishes, firstly supporting local disadvantaged children. In November 2009, only a few months after their son’s passing, they visited HCM City and Hanoi to begin charity work.

They built a school for visually impaired children in Dong Ha city in the central province of Quang Tri, which was officially put into operation in 2012. The 25 children at the school can talk and study in English and have Skype conservations with the couple about every two months.

Schmitt and his wife had visited Vietnam 18 times, yet their regular trip was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and their health issues.

Notably, in 2010, they established a fund in memory of his son, under which nearly 850,000 USD has been raised to date, and hundreds of gifts come to Vietnamese children each year.

With the funding, the couple was able to launch other projects in Vietnam, including three preschools in rural areas, water facilities for residents, and support for organisations in the fight against human trafficking.

Over the past years, they have joined charity organisations in HCM City to support the Southeast Asian nation in the pandemic combat.

Currently, they are operating a charity organisation for underprivileged Vietnamese children, which is based in the central city of Da Nang and intended to carry out education projects in the city and its neighbouring province of Quang Nam.

As members of a group addressing war consequences in Vietnam, the couple have paid special attention to children affected by Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin, and have worked to enable their families to receive medical assistance and earn livelihoods, while empowering women and children.

Both, who are now over 70 years old, said they have no intention of stopping what they are doing, and committed to spending the rest of their lives supporting Vietnamese children.

Hanoi: Ethnic cultural festival to thrill visitors in upcoming holidays

A festival spotlighting cultures of ethnic groups in the northwestern and northeastern regions will take place at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in the suburbs of Hanoi from April 29 to May 3 in conjunction with the National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day holidays.

The festival will feature myriad activities run by 100 people from 16 ethnic communities living in the village, as well as 100 others from the Thai, Mong, Nung, Tay communities in the provinces of Son La, Lao Cai, and Thai Nguyen.

Tourists will be treated to Lao Cai’s mountainous wet market of specialties, food, folk games, and musical performances; a photo exhibition; the art of panpipe dance by Mong people; and a Thai Nguyen tea space; among many others.

Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groups, each of which has its own unique cultural identity. At the national village, ethnic minority people join State agencies and experts in preserving and introducing the cultural value of their communities to visitors.

The village has a total area of 1,544ha with seven functional zones. Among them, the zone for ethnic minority villages is considered its heart.

National flags presented to Khanh Hoa fishermen

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, in collaboration with Khanh Hoa Newspaper and DVA GROUP, on April 27 presented national flags to local fishermen who often work offshore in order to encourage them maintaining their operation at sea.

As many as 3,000 flags were handed over to representatives of fisheries trade unions of communes and wards of Nha Trang city during a ceremony held at Hon Ro - the largest fishing port in the south-central region.

The programme aimed to call on fishermen to join hands in protecting the country's sovereignty over sea and islands.

Vice Chairman of Vinh Phuoc Fisheries Trade Union Nguyen Tan Lau thanked the organisers and sponsors for the gift, saying that the flags are meaningful to fishermen as they encourage them to continue offshore trips, contributing to affirming the national sovereignty.

Khanh Hoa fishermen will well observe legal regulations on exploiting and protecting aquatic resources, and combating illegal fishing, and not violating foreign waters and fishing regulations, he said.

On the occasion, the organisers also presented 30 gift packages to fishermen with difficult circumstances in Nha Trang city.

Ha Tinh cracks down on IUU fishing

With a coastline of over 137km and many large fishing grounds, the central province of Ha Tinh is making concerted efforts in cracking down on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, toward having the "yellow card" warning by the European Commission (EC) removed.

Nguyen Tong Thang, Deputy Director of the provincial Sub-Department of Fisheries, said the province has achieved positive results in the fight against IUU fishing, including wide dissemination of legal regulations among fishermen and owners of fishing vessels, drastic inspection over vessels, and strict handling of violations. 

At present, all 100 fishing vessels in the offshore fishing area of Ha Tinh have been equipped with journey monitoring equipment. 

So far, the province has not found any vessel that crosses the border illegally at sea. 

The local border guards also partnered with relevant agencies and localities to raise fishermen’s awareness of fighting IUU fishing. 

They also distributed thousands of leaflets, handed over national flags and life jackets to fishermen.

In the near future, the local competent agencies will continue stepping up the registration, inspection, and licensing of seafood exploitation, updating all data of vessels, and monitoring all fishing vessels operating at sea round the clock through the vessel monitoring systems to detect violations, contributing to the country's joint efforts to have the "yellow card" warning by the EC lifted.

Overseas Vietnamese make trip to Trường Sa and DK1 platforms
 
The trip was the 10th of its kind to be held for overseas Vietnamese by the State Committee for OV Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Việt Nam People's Navy.
 
Forty seven overseas Vietnamese (OVs) from 22 countries joined a delegation on a visit to soldiers and residents on the island district of Trường Sa and DK1 platforms of the homeland.

The trip, ended on April 23, was the 10th of its kind to be held for OVs by the State Committee for OV Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Việt Nam People's Navy.
 
From 2012 to 2023, more than 500 OVs have visited the region, he noted, adding that nearly VNĐ1.3 billion (over US$55,000) and essentials were donated by OVs during their trips over the last 11 years, helping reduce difficulties faced by officers, soldiers and people in Trường Sa.

Vũ said the activity contributed to reaffirming Việt Nam's sovereignty over Trường Sa, as well as strengthening the OV communities’ solidarity and connections with the soldiers and people who are safeguarding Việt Nam's sovereignty, strengthening the great national solidarity.

During their tour from April 18-23, delegates visited the islands of Sinh Tồn Đông (Sin Cowe East) , Len Đao (Landsdowne), Đá Tây B (West Reef B), Trường Sa, and the DK1/16 platform on Phúc Tần Bank.

They also engaged in many activities, including exploring the daily life of locals in the island district, offering incense to heroic martyrs and President Hồ Chí Minh.

Three hospitals receive prestigious accreditation

In a medical first for Việt Nam, three Hà Nội hospitals have been officially accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons in London, UK.

The trio of health facilities will now join a prestigious list featuring the world’s very best surgical centres.

This top-notch accreditation has been awarded to Hồng Ngọc, Việt Đức (Việt Nam-Germany Friendship Hospital), and 108 Military hospitals.

Representatives from the Royal College of Surgeons this week visited each centre to see first-hand the incredible work they do.

Established more than 200 years ago, the Royal College of Surgeons of England is an independent professional body and registered charity that promotes and advances standards of surgical care for patients.

Its members include some of the world’s finest physicians, and the inclusion of three Vietnamese hospitals will open doors in training, knowledge and expertise.

The whole operation was the brainchild of Katrin Kendal, CEO of Facing the World – a UK-based charity helping correct facial deformities in children.

She has worked tirelessly for the past three years, mainly during the COVID pandemic, to secure the status for the hospitals here in Việt Nam.

Representatives at the three hospitals understand this is a massive opportunity to not only improve the quality of their own staff, but also better the health of a nation.

A ceremony was held yesterday at the residence of UK Ambassador to Việt Nam, Iain Frew.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the three hospitals, Facing the World and the Royal College of Surgeons.

Also at the ceremony, Facing the World CEO Kendal was awarded a medal of honour by the Ministry of Health for her work in Việt Nam.

Historical play to be released on Reunification Day

Artists from the Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre are working on a new play about Vietnamese history to celebrate the Reunification Day (April 30).

They will stage Câu Hò Đất Mẹ (Folk Tunes), a cải lương (reformed opera) production featuring the couple Lê Hồng Phong and Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai -- two famous revolutionaries in the anti-French war.

The opera highlights Phong’s love for his wife, Khai, one of the prominent female members of the Indochinese Communist Party in the 1930s.

The themes of patriotism and honesty are also featured.

It stars talents Lê Tứ and Hồng Thắm as Phong and Khai, respectively. Young performers Hà Như, Trọng Hiếu and Hồng Quyên are also included.

Phong, whose real name was Lê Huy Doãn, was born in 1902 in Nghệ An Province. He met Nguyễn Ái Quốc, later known as President Hồ Chí Minh, in China in 1924, and then joined the Việt Nam Association of Revolutionary Youth League founded by Quốc.

He was sent to receive military training in China and Russia in 1926-1928.

He was the second leader and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam.

In 1934, he married his comrade, Khai.

He was jailed and died in Côn Đảo Island in 1942 after months of torture by French colonialists when he was only 40 years old. His wife was executed by firing squad one year later in Hóc Môn (now HCM City).

The play Câu Hò Đất Mẹ is scheduled to be staged for students in secondary schools and universities around the city in April and May, starting on April 30. 

Lượng, Soares to fight in Lion Championship rematch after judges mistakes 
 
A rematch between champions Trần Ngọc Lượng and Robson De Oliveira Soares will be held after organisers of the MMA Lion Championship 5 (LC05) found judges' mistakes led to a wrong decision at their April 22 bout.

These two athletes competed in a men's 60kg match in B class of the championship at the Rạch Miễu Gymnasium in HCM City.

Despite his poorer performance, Vietnamese Lượng was declared the winner. The decision caused strong objections from experts, spectators and supporters.

Brazilian Soares and his team were so disappointed that they said they would not compete in Việt Nam anymore.

On April 26, the Việt Nam Mixed Martial Arts Federation (VMMAF) had a meeting in which they reviewed the matches and listened to reports and analyses from different sides.

They finally reached the conclusion that the match's final decision was a mistake. It was not match fixing but poor quality of judges.

Based on the real ability of two martial artists, both of them will be promoted to A class competition in the next round of the Lion Championship on June 3. The time of their rematch will be announced soon.

First and second judges Ngô Quốc Thắng and Trần Trung Nghĩa gave the wrong points in the second round of the match and will be sidelined until the end of the season while third judge Nguyễn Đăng Khoa will not be assigned to work in the three next rounds of LC06, LC07 and LC08.

VMMAF also asked officials of the Profession Board and staff to improve their managing, coordinating and assigning activities. The federation will organise training courses to improve judge quality.

VMMAF apologises to the competitors, their clubs and fans for the unfortunate professional incident.

Phong targets redemption after landing cost him SEA Games gold last year

Nguyễn Văn Khánh Phong is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for gold at the upcoming 32nd SEA Games.

Every day, he tirelessly trains his landings, determined to ensure that every move in his performance is flawless.

For Phong, winning an individual gold medal would be the ultimate dream. The memory of last May 15, when he narrowly missed out on the top spot in the men's rings event, still lingers fresh in his mind.

Despite executing the perfect routine, an unbalanced landing cost him the gold, and he had to settle for the silver medal behind Filipino star Carlos Yulo.

But Phong is not one to be deterred. He knows that success in the highly competitive world of gymnastics requires relentless effort and dedication. With each passing day, he pushes himself harder, honing his skills and perfecting his technique, all in pursuit of that elusive gold medal.

Born in 2002 in HCM City, Phong has trained in gymnastics since he was young. After 15 years, he has gained several achievements and promised to be one of Việt Nam's best athletes.

The little boy joined the city team, and his talent was proved, so he was sent to train in Hungary for four years.

He made a big bang in 2018. At 16, he was one of seven Asian athletes to compete in the Youth Olympics in Argentina.

He was the only gymnast from the Southeast Asian region at the event and finished in eighth place among 20 participants.

In the same year, he also won three golds, two silvers and one bronze at the Junior World Cup.

In his collection, Phong also had silver from the 2015 Wuhnen Juniors Trophy, two golds and two silvers from the 2016 Seagzone Artistic Junior Championships, and one gold and two bronze from the 2017 Junior World Cup.

In his SEA Games debut in 2022, he took one gold and one silver. In his latest international tournament, the World Cup in Azerbaijan in late March, he placed fourth in his strong point of rings event.

Việt Nam dominated the rings event as Đặng Nam won five SEA Games in a row before he retired in 2021, giving his berth in the national team to Phong.

Phong's silver medal was a disappointing result for himself but was still a good sign for his coaches, who believed he would lift Việt Nam to the top podium again at the next Games.

Phong is determined to finish top of the podium next month.

Gymnastics will be held on May 6-9 at the Olympic Stadium Centre's Marquee Tent in Phnom Penh.

Runners to compete at Ecopark Marathon during holiday

The fourth Ecopark Marathon will see more than 3,500 runners at Hưng Yên Province's fresh and green Ecopark urban area on April 29.

Initially an event for local residents to celebrate the Hùng King's death anniversary, the marathon has developed into one of the biggest annual running events which sees the participation of thousands of amateur and elite athletes and international runners from different localities.

This year, marathoners will compete in three categories of 5km, 10km and 21km for men and women which are designed to guide participants through all the most beautiful zones of the area under a concept of 'RUNCATION', which is a combination of running, vacation and team building.

A Kid Run event for children will be organised. Two new categories of Couple and Family are added into the event as organisers want to encourage more people to take part in sport activities, strengthen family relationships and promote environmental awareness through running.

Former SEA Games champions Nguyễn Văn Lai and Trần Văn Đảng are the best known names in the men's half-marathon. Meanwhile, Bùi Thị Thu Hà and Đoàn Thu Hằng of the national team will be top candidates in the women's class.

Famous and well-known celebrities such as MC Phan Anh, DJ Huy DX, singer Đức Tuấn and actress Lưu Đê Ly will run with their partners and families.

According to organisers, beautiful scenery and green and fresh nature were highlights that lured more and more runners to the "Running in the middle of the green" event which was regrettably cancelled for two years because of the pandemic.

A total bonus of nearly VNĐ540 million (US$23,200) in cash and high-value gifts will be given to winning athletes.

Part of the cash collected from the event will be donated to Operation Smile Vietnam, which provides free surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities.

The marathon will be broadcast live on MyTV.

Last year, SEA Games champions Nguyễn Thị Oanh and Đỗ Quốc Luật won the women's and men's 21km races, respectively.

Hồ Thị Thu Hà (women) and Nguyễn Danh Cao (men) were winners of the 10km while Hà Thị Uyên (women) and Nguyễn Tùng Lưu (men) were first in the 5km class. 

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes