The 2016 Vietnam Women’s National Championship – Thai Son Bac commenced yesterday in the northern province of Ha Nam.

Phong Phu Ha Nam secured a 2-0 victory on home turf against VN Coal and Mineral during the tournament’s opening match.

Eight teams from across the country participated in the tournament. Besides traditionally strong teams such as defending champions HCM City and Hanoi, northern Son La Province entered the event for the first time this year.

Hosts Phong Phu Ha Nam secured a 2-0 victory on home turf against Vietnam Coal and Mineral during the tournament’s opening match, thanks to goals from Pham Thi Tuoi and Nguyen Thi Nguyet.

This year’s tournament will be divided into two phases with the first phase in Ha Nam from May 9-30 and the second phase in HCM City from August 22 to September 12 in round-robin format.

The best four teams will proceed to quarter-finals and then compete for the national championship title.

Hat Ngoc Troi Cycling Cup begins in An Giang

The National Hat Ngoc Troi Cycling Cup begins on May 10 with a 39km race in An Giang Province.

The 21st annual tour, called Return to Countryside, has attracted 90 athletes from 17 local crews and one Cambodian crew, who will compete in 12 stages and cycle 913km, the longest distance in the tour’s history.

A bonus of more than VNĐ441 million (US$19,800) is up for grabs, drawing athletes such as Huynh Thanh Tung and Tran Nguyen Duy Nhan of Military Zone 7, Ha Thanh Tam of An Giang and Phan Hoang Thai of Domesco Dong Thap.

An event for amateurs is also being held.

Organizers will donate just over VNĐ1.3 billion ($58,400) to a charity on the sidelines of the event. Free rice and healthcare will be provided to poor people and notebooks and scholarships will be awarded to students in the localities the cyclists pass through.

The tour will pass through six provinces of the southern region and the final stage and the award ceremony will be held on May 19 at Long Xuyen City in An Giang Province.

VNS