Vietnamese athlete powers to 400m gold at Asian Grand Prix

Nguyen Thi Huyen of Vietnam has won gold at the Asian Grand Prix Athletics at Thammasat University Sports Complex near Bangkok, Thailand.
Nguyen Thi Huyen of Vietnam has won gold at the Asian Grand PrixAthletics at Thammasat University Sports Complex near Bangkok, Thailand.

Huyen triumphed in her preferred event, the women's 400m. She finished with a time of 52.27sec.

During the first leg of the tournament, four days ago, she wasn't looking so strong, finishing in fifth position.

YuliyaRakhmanova of Kazakhstan topped the first leg of the event, followed byHuyen's teammate, Quach Thi Lan, running a solid 53.26s. For the secondleg, Quach Thi Lan came in fourth despite a better time of 52.75s.

Accordingto the head coach of the Vietnam team, Duong Duc Thuy, Huyen ran badlyin the first leg because of food poisoning but she came back and foundher form on June 25.

It is Huyen's first Asian title and the first gold for Vietnam in the women's 400m event.

Earlier,she pocketed a berth for the Brazil Olympics after an outstandingperformance at the recent Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

Elsewhere in track, Tran Hue Hoa took silver in the women's triple jump with a result of 13.75m.

According to coach Nguyen Nam Nhan, Hoa's result was pretty good as it closely trailed the first place result.

Hoa, however, will have to work harder to beat a bar of 14.20m to qualify for the Olympic Games next year.

Vietnamese athletes competed in the men's 100m, 400m, 800m and women's 800m but failed to place.

The third and final leg will start June 29 in Chantaburi province.

The Grand Prix offers a total of 50,000 USD to the winners.-VNA

See more

Delegates attending the ASEAN City Leaders Conference 2026 visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long on June 9. (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN city leaders explore Hanoi’s heritage sites

At the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, delegates visited the Doan Mon Gate and learnt about the formation and development of the ancient capital through different historical periods at display spaces. They also explored the Kinh Thien Palace’s Dragon Steps (large stone steps with dragon carvings), regarded as the political and ceremonial centre of the imperial citadel during successive Vietnamese dynasties.

Ly Hoang Nam is Asia's No. 1 pickleball player. (Photo: webthethao.vn)

Ly Hoang Nam tops Asian pickleball rankings

Vietnam boasts five players in the DUPR Asian top 10, with Nam leading the rankings on 6,267 points ahead of competitors from the Philippines, India, Hong Kong (China) and Chinese Taipei.

Visitors to the booth of the Vietnamese Embassy at the Embassies Food and Culture Festival held in Prague, the Czech Republic, on June 6 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese culture, cuisine leave lasting impression in Czech Republic

Featuring more than 100 booths representing diverse cultures from around the world, the festival transformed the heart of Prague into a vibrant multicultural space where visitors could sample traditional dishes, enjoy folk performances, listen to traditional music and experience unique cultural showcases from different continents.

Vietnamese artists play traditional musical instruments at the festival held in Karlovy Vary city, the Czech Republic, on June 5. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam culture, cuisine showcased in Czech Republic

The festival featured more than 20 booths offering traditional Vietnamese dishes, including "pho" and spring rolls, alongside activities promoting Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditonal long dress). One of the highlights was the presentation of complimentary Ao Dai to Czech residents and international visitors.

The Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) imperial throne, a recognised national treasure of Vietnam, officially returns to public display at Thai Hoa Palace in Hue Imperial Citadel on June 4 (Photo: VNA)

Nguyen Dynasty throne returns to Hue Imperial Citadel after restoration

The throne has been reinstated at its original central position inside Thai Hoa Palace, the ceremonial heart of the former imperial court. Its return has attracted significant interest from visitors and heritage enthusiasts eager to see one of Vietnam’s most important royal artefacts back on display.

People join the “Ho Van Lantern Festival Night” programme at the special national relic site of the Van Mieu–Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Night-time economy drives growth of Hanoi’s cultural industries

Under the Politburo’s Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture, Hanoi has been given fresh opportunities to leverage its cultural, historical, tourism and creative assets. The city’s recently approved project on developing the night-time economy for 2026–2030, with a vision to 2045, is expected to create momentum for cultural industry growth while enhancing Hanoi’s standing as a creative and modern city with a distinctive identity.

Efforts made to preserve, promote values of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark

Efforts made to preserve, promote values of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark

First recognised by UNESCO on April 12, 2018, the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark in the northern province of Cao Bang is a land shaped by more than 500 million years of geological history. Covering over 3,683 sq.km and encompassing all or part of 36 communes and wards, the geopark is home to numerous scenic landscapes, as well as historical and cultural sites of exceptional value.

Scenic views of Da Nang featured in the film "Love in Vietnam" (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang Asian Film Festival 2026 set to launch with expanded international focus

Through this coordinated effort, Da Nang aims to establish DANAFF not only as an annual film event but also as a distinctive cultural landmark, helping position the city as a reputable destination for regional film and cultural events and enhancing its international profile, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, said.