Saigon Heat qualify for ABL’s playoffs

Vietnam basketball Saigon Heat team has defeated Singapore Slingers 88-71 to officially earn a ticket to compete in the playoffs of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) in the OCBC Arena.
Saigon Heat qualify for ABL’s playoffs ảnh 1Saigon Heat team defeat Singapore Slingers 88-71 to officially earn a ticket to compete in the playoffs of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) in the OCBC Arena. (Source: ABL)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam basketball Saigon Heat team has defeatedSingapore Slingers 88-71 to officially earn a ticket to compete in the playoffsof the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) in the OCBC Arena.

The Heat’s victory also eliminated defending champions WestportsMalaysia Dragons from playoff contention, despite the Dragon’s victory overKaohsiung Truth on March 18.

“I am very proud,” Heat head coach Tony Garbelotto said on theofficial tournament’s website. “We clinched it with two games to go.”

Heat Centre Jordan Henriquez paced the Heat with 20 points, 17rebounds, five assists and three blocks. He also held his own againstSingapore’s Howard, who had 22 points on 9/23 field goals.

However, Howard achieved personal milestones in the game. Hesurpassed 1,000 career rebounds in the ballgame, and leapfrogged Chris Charlesin total overall points in ABL history. Howard is now third all time, with1,361 points to his name.

“It was a huge victory,” Heat’s Moses Morgan said on the officialtournament’s website. “We knew they were going to come out and play well, withor without world import Xavier Alexander. Their locals stepped up, they madethe shots.”

“But we were able to pull away,” Morgan said proudly. “We got theball inside to Henriquez and Lenny Daniel, and they did what they were supposedto do inside. As a collective team, it was big for us.”

The past two victories of Saigon Heat have come against a HongKong side without Josh Boone, and the Slingers sans Alexander. But according tocoach Garbelotto, the calibre of the teams they defeated, with or withoutimports, should not be understated.

“These are not the low-level teams,” Garbelotto said. “These arethe top two teams who have history, very good structure and good coaching.These are not teams that are turning up to lie down. That’s why I knew it wasnot going to be easy.”

The Heat will celebrate their formal entry into the playoffs, butthey know their work is not done, especially with two games remaining on theircalendar.-VNA
VNA

See more

A cultural performance at the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and national reunification of Vietnam, held in Budapest, Hungary, April 29. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese writing contest wraps up in Hungary

The contest, held in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Vietnam–Hungary diplomatic ties, aimed to strengthen connections between young overseas Vietnamese in Hungary and their cultural roots.

Top 10 Pavilion displays 30 of the top architectural works from 2024 at Dien Hong Garden in Hanoi. (Photo: tapchikientruc.com.vn)

Top works of architecture displayed in downtown Hanoi

The exhibition features a dome made from do (poonah paper), a traditional Vietnamese material, combined with recycled plastic and steel to create a space that is both soft and strong, symbolising the harmony between nature, humanity and technology.

Illustrative image (Photo: VFF)

Vietnam to host AFC Asian U23 Cup 2026 qualifier

Vietnam will be one of 11 hosts of the AFC Asian U23 Cup 2026 qualification, including Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Qatar, Tajikistan, Thailand and the UAE.

Claudia Opitz (R) introduces the display to Vietnamese Minister Counsellor Chu Cong Duc (Photo: VNA)

Berlin exhibition reflects on Vietnam War’s lasting echoes

The Berlin exhibition presents a chronological narrative of the war through the eyes of artists and photographers who lived through or deeply studied the war. The works capture the anguish, iron will, and resilience of a nation under siege, from the early days of revolutionary movement to the great victory on April 30, 1975.

Buddha’s sacred relics arrive in Vietnam for UN Vesak celebrations

Buddha’s sacred relics arrive in Vietnam for UN Vesak celebrations

The UN Vesak 2025, themed “Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development,” will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from May 6 to 8, expected to draw 1,200 delegates from 85 countries and territories, including dozens of heads of states.

Mikhail Fokin wins yellow jersey at 2025 national HTV cycling cup (Photo: VNA)

Mikhail Fokin wins yellow jersey at 2025 national HTV cycling cup

Mikhail Fokin, riding for Loc Troi Group An Giang, not only won the final stage of the 37th National HTV Cycling Cup, which concluded on April 30 in Ho Chi Minh City, but also secured his place as the overall champion of the prestigious tournament.

The oil painting"Property of a Lady of Title" by Vu Cao Dam (Photo: Sloane Street Auctions)

Vietnamese artist Vu Cao Dam's painting to be auctioned in London

The oil on canvas "Property of a Lady of Title" will be the first Vietnamese artwork on auction at this distinguished auction house. It was on display at a solo exhibition of Vu Cao Dam in London in 1960, hosted by the prominent Frost & Reed Gallery.