The trans-Vietnam cycling tournament or the National Defense Cup wrapped up on December 16 with ADC Vinh Long Television’s cyclist Trinh Duc Tam finishing first the last 36km race around Cao Bang city, the northern province of same name.

Cyclist Do Tuan Anh from Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap won the first prize at the individual’s overall race whilst the Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap took the first prize for team.

Over 300 cyclists representing 15 domestic teams and two teams from Laos and Cambodia competed in the 15-day tournament from southernmost Ca Mau province to Cao Bang province with a total length of 1,292km.

During the race, the cyclists visited Uncle Ho’s homeland in central Nghe An province and Tran Hung Dao Forest relic site in Cao Bang province, paid tribute General Vo Nguyen Giap at his grave in central Quang Binh province and offered incense in tribute to fallen soldiers at martyrs’ cemeteries along the race’s route.

They also presented 1,000 gifts to policy beneficiaries and needy families of soldiers as well as 230 scholarships to children of soldiers with a total grant of 4 billion VND (187,000 USD).

The tournament was organised by the Quan Doi Nhan Dan (Vietnam’s People Army) newspaper in collaboration with the Vietnam Military Telecommunications Group (Viettel), the General Department of Sports and Physical Training and the Vietnam Motor-Bicycle Sports Federation.

It aims to mark the 70th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 25th anniversary of National Defense Day on December 22.-VNA