Players of the Binh Dien Long An team (Source: vtv.vn)

The nine-day event attracted the participation of eight teams, including four of Vietnam, and four from China, Thailand and the US.

According to the draw, Binh Dien Long An, China’s Nanjing University, Vietinbank and Thailand’s U23 team are in Group A, while BIP of the US, Sichuan of China, Lienviet Post Bank and Duc Giang Hanoi are in Group B.

They are competing in the round-robin format in the qualifying round. In the final round, the first and second teams of each group will enter the semi-finals, and two winning teams will advance to the final while the two others will vie for the third place.

The winner will walk away with a prize of 15,000 USD. The matches are aired live on VTV, SCTV and VTVCab.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Do Thanh Binh, who is head of the organizing board, said that the tournament will help boost sport movements in Kien Giang, and offer a chance for the province to promote its images to domestic and international friends.

In the first matches in Group A right after the opening ceremony, Binh Dien Long An defeated Nanjing University 3-0, while Thailand’s U23 team gained a 3-2 victory over Vietinbank of Vietnam.

Since 2006, the VTV9 - Binh Dien International Women's Volleyball Tournament has become an international women's volleyball tourney organised by the Vietnam Volleyball Federation, and sponsored by Vietnam Television - VTV9 and Binh Dien Long An.-VNA