Para Games begins, Vietnam aim for 40 gold

The ASEAN Para Games (APG) raised its curtain on July 30 with a vibrant opening ceremony that included a spectacular fireworks display and exciting cultural and musical performances in Surakarta City, Indonesia.
Para Games begins, Vietnam aim for 40 gold ảnh 1Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 11th ASEAN Para Games at Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia on July 30 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Hanoi (VNS/VNA) — The  ASEAN Para Games(APG) raised its curtain on July 30 with a vibrant opening ceremonythat included a spectacular fireworks display and exciting cultural and musicalperformances in Surakarta City, Indonesia.

The Games were officially opened by Indonesian Vice PresidentMa'ruf Amin, paving the way for an exciting seven days of action until theclosing ceremony on August 6.

The cauldron was lit by Paralympic shooter Hanik Puji Hastutiafter Indonesian ASEAN Para Games Organising Committee head GibranRakabuming Raka delivered his opening address.

The hosts welcomed almost 1,200 athletes to the 11th APG alongwith some 15,000 spectators at the 20,000-capacity multi-purpose ManahanStadium who were treated to amazing live performances by famous comedian DoditMulyanto and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo.

They also enjoyed a magnificent fireworks display and the finalewas a highly-entertaining performance by popular singer Nella Kharisma.

The Vietnamese athletes came to the regional biennial sport meetwith 153 members including 120 athletes.

They set a target of 40 gold medals, as many as five years ago inthe ninth edition in Malaysia. It is expected that the result will help them finishin the top group.

Indonesia organises 14 sports in the 11th APG and Vietnam willtake part in eight.

The first athletes to start their journey are badminton players inteam events and masters in standard chess.

The 2019 edition in the Philippineswas initially postponed for financial reasons before being cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam also cited the pandemic in cancelling the Gameslast year. Indonesia stepped in to host the event for the second time after the2011 edition, which was also held in Surakarta./.

VNA

See more

Thousands of ironmen take part in the annual triathlon, the region’s largest multi-sport festival in Vietnam (Photo of SEV)

IRONMAN Vietnam returns for 10th anniversary

This year’s theme, 'A Decade of Triumph – Where Every Finish Line is a New Beginning' marks ten years of the sport's growth, inspiring future athletes and highlighting Vietnam as a premier endurance sports destination.

A foreign visitor enjoys pho at the festival. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi Pho festival showcases diverse national styles

At the three-day festival, people will also find different varieties of pho such as pho made of corn from Ha Giang province, pho with roasted duck from Lang Son, pho with burnt livers from Bac Ninh, and pho made of artichoke flowers from Da Lat.

Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Sports Administration Le Thi Hoang Yen meets with Indian Deputy Ambassador Tako Ajungla Jamir in Hanoi on April 18. (Photo: bvhttdl.gov.vn)

Vietnam, India enhance cooperation in physical training and sports

At a working session with Indian Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Tako Ajungla Jamir in Hanoi on April 18, Yen emphasised that the two nations have built a solid foundation of cooperation through years of active engagement in the sports sector, including the participation of national teams in various sporting events held in each country.

Hot-air balloons are seen along Nguyen Tat Thanh street, Phan Thiet city, the south-central province of Binh Thuan. (Photo: VNA)

Hot-air balloon festival opens in Binh Thuan

The three-day event is among activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the province (April 19, 1975- 2025) and 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975-2025).

HCM CIty is ready for the anniversary (Photo: VNA)

HCM City to celebrate national reunification with record-breaking drone show

At 8:45 pm on April 30, all 10,500 drones will take to the sky, followed by a 15-minute fireworks display across 30 city locations at 9 pm., creating a festive and dazzling atmosphere, according to Nguyen Tat Kiet, head of the Performing Arts Division under the municipal Department of Culture and Sports.

Participants at the exhibition (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Exhibition spotlights Great Spring Victory

Nearly 300 photos, documents, and artifacts are on display, divided into three thematic sections: “From the Geneva Conference to the Paris Peace Accords,” “The Great Spring Victory of 1975,” and “The Echo of the Great Spring Victory.”