Hanoi (VNA) – The ASEAN Armies’ Open Volleyball Tournament 2026 opened at the Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi on August 21.
Taking place until August 26, the tournament features six teams divided into two groups. Group A comprises the army teams of Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia, while Group B includes Ho Chi Minh City's police team, the Lao People’s Army's team and the Singapore Armed Forces' team.
In his opening remarks, Lt. Gen. Nguyen Ba Luc, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and head of the organising committee, stressed that amid growing international integration, military and defence cooperation among countries worldwide and in Southeast Asia has continued to expand through diverse and effective forms across various fields.
The event represents a sporting and cultural tradition in military relations and serves as a symbol of friendship, cooperation and shared development, he added.
Luc noted that the tournament is being held as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) continues to strengthen regional integration and promote economic growth in the region and beyond under the spirit of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.”
With the determination and support of the defence ministries of participating countries, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence has made thorough preparations for the tournament, ensuring the best possible conditions for the teams to compete and exchange experiences, he said.
The presence of delegates, coaches and outstanding athletes from the participating armed forces, together with the Vietnam People’s Army and Ho Chi Minh City police teams of the host country, demonstrates the spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation through sports, Luc stressed.
Through the tournament, the participating teams have an opportunity to exchange experiences, hone their skills and improve their expertise in training and competition, contributing to the development of high-performance sports in their respective countries.
The event also provides a venue for cultural and artistic exchanges, helping promote Vietnam’s culture and traditions, as well as the country as well ass its people and hospitality.
The head of the organising committee expressed his belief that, with careful preparations by the host country and intensive training by the participating teams, the tournament will uphold the spirit of “Sports develop a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.” It is expected to feature high-quality and exciting matches, alongside cultural exchange activities, offering spectators memorable experiences, he added.
Immediately following the opening ceremony, a men’s volleyball match was held between the Vietnam People’s Army team and the Myanmar Army team./.
