The 17th National Bodybuilding Championships opened in the northern port city of Hai Phong on November 29 with the participation of 80 athletes from 11 cities and provinces.

The athletes will compete in four weight categories for men and two categories for women.

Competitions will wrap up on December 1.

Bodybuilding has seen a fast development in Vietnam , with local athletes winning top places at continental and world events. Most recently, the Vietnamese team brought home one gold and two silver medals from the fifth World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships, which took place from November 12-18 in Hungary.-VNA