The 2013 national canoeing championship kicked off on September 20 at the sailing club in West Lake, Hanoi.

158 male and female canoeists of 19 teams from such cities and provinces as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang and Ben Tre, will compete for ten sets of medal in the canoeing and Kayak categories.

The 24-member host team Hanoi is considered as one of the strongest contenders as it groups several athletes from the national team and budding ones who earned medals at some international tournaments.

The tournament will finish on September 22.-VNA