HCM City (VNA) – A send-off ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation to compete at the 13th ASEAN Para Games in Thailand from January 15-27, 2026 was held on December 16 in Ho Chi Minh City.
The event was co-organised by the Vietnam Department of Physical Education and Sports under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Vietnam Paralympic Committee.
Ranking among the top performers at the ASEAN Para Games for many consecutive years, the Vietnamese delegation aims to win 40–50 gold medals and be present in the top four to five nations in the region.
The send-off ceremony served as a major source of encouragement, inspiring athletes to overcome personal challenges with the spirit of “physically impaired but not disabled”,” while showcasing human values and the determination to succeed.
At the event, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh emphasised that the Party and State have always paid close attention to persons with disabilities and para-sports through policies that ensure equal rights for them, help them develop their full potential and contribute to society, including in sports.
He urged all staff, coaches, and athletes to fully embrace their responsibilities, compete with utmost determination, adhere strictly to competition rules, and actively engage in cultural exchanges to promote the image of a friendly and peace-loving Vietnam while strengthening regional solidarity.
On behalf of the delegation, Le Thi Hoang Yen, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Department of Physical Education and Sports and head of the delegation, affirmed that all athletes, coaches, and officials will compete with calmness, confidence, unity, discipline, and maximum effort to achieve the best results for the country while fostering friendship with other Southeast Asian nations.
Preparations for this games faced challenges, including the reduction of some events in which Vietnam traditionally excels and limited centralised training opportunities. Nevertheless, the delegation has trained intensively, prepared physically and tactically, and ensured logistics, medical care, and travel arrangements.
ASEAN Para Games 13 will bring together 11 Southeast Asian nations and feature 19 sports with over 500 events, many to be put under the supervision of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
Vietnam will send 185 members, including 141 athletes, 27 coaches, and 17 officials, competing in 11 sports including athletics, swimming, weightlifting, badminton, table tennis, chess, judo, boccia, archery, tennis, and fencing.
Beyond competition, the games is expected to provide an opportunity for Vietnamese para-athletes to exchange experience, strengthen solidarity and friendship with regional countries. Through this, experts can assess and evaluate the athletes’ capacities and professional standards, while preparing the squads for the 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, and the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, the US./.
