(BNP) – In celebration of the 51st anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – 2026), the 140th anniversary of International Workers’ Day (May 1, 1886 – 2026), and the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s birth (May 19, 1890 – 2026), Vu Ninh Ward held the opening ceremony of its First Sports Festival 2026 on the evening of April 28 at Suoi Hoa Stadium under the theme: “Vu Ninh: Self-Reliance, Strength, and Reaching New Heights.”
Provincial leaders present flowers to congratulate the Festival.
Attending the opening ceremony were: Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; Comrades members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee: Tran Thi Hang, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Le Xuan Loi, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Nguyen Thi Ha, Chairman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee.
In his opening speech, Chairman of Vu Ninh Ward People's Committee Chu Thanh Hai emphasized that, following President Ho Chi Minh's teachings, in recent years, the Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee of Vu Ninh Ward have always paid attention to leading and directing the effective implementation of the Party and State's policies on physical education and sports. The ward has focused on investing in and upgrading sports facilities and infrastructure; prioritizing land allocation for building playgrounds and training grounds in residential areas; and simultaneously promoting socialization and mobilizing resources to develop the movement, linked with the campaign "All people practice physical training following the example of the great President Ho Chi Minh". As a result, the mass physical education and sports movement has developed extensively, attracting a large number of people to participate, and the percentage of people regularly practicing is increasing.
Deputy Secretary Nguyen Thi Huong presents flowers to congratulate the forces participating in the parade showcasing their strength.
The system of grassroots sports facilities continues to receive investment attention; 100% of residential areas have cultural and sports activity points, of which over 60% have training grounds and practice areas serving the people. Many sports competitions are organized regularly, creating a vibrant competitive atmosphere; some local athletes have achieved high results at provincial and national level competitions, contributing to improving people's health and building cultural life in residential areas…
Provincial and ward leaders present flowers and commemorative flags to the forces participating in the parade showcasing their strength.
The 1st Vu Ninh Ward Sports Festival in 2026 is an opportunity to review and evaluate results, thereby drawing lessons learned in directing and building the mass sports movement, contributing to improving the health and physical fitness of the people.
The Festival attracted over 1,000 athletes competing in 9 sports: Volleyball, Tug-of-War, Chess, Chinese Chess, Table Tennis, Pickleball, Swimming, Athletics, and Youth/Children's Football. The sports were selected to suit the local conditions, contributing to promoting physical training among all segments of the population.
The opening ceremony was solemn and conducted according to protocol, featuring a large-scale parade showcasing the strength of 16 contingents, representing cadres, Party members, soldiers, workers, civil servants, laborers, and typical professions of Vu Ninh ward. This demonstrated the spirit, will, faith, and strength of the Party Committee, government, armed forces, and all strata of the ward's people in the cause of national construction, defense, and international economic integration.
The highlight of the ceremony was the torch procession from the Monument to Comrade Hoang Quoc Viet and the lighting of the traditional flame – a symbol of fair and noble sportsmanship and unwavering determination.
Following the ceremony was the festival, featuring a mass performance of sports and physical education by nearly 400 officials, union members, association members, members of Quan Ho clubs, art clubs, and students in the ward. The performance, themed "Vu Ninh Self-Reliance and Self-Strengthening to New Heights," consisted of three chapters and five scenes, celebrating the historical and cultural traditions and development of Vu Ninh ward in the new era. Chapter I was themed "The Colors of Vu Ninh - The Flow of History - A Heroic Epic"; Chapter II "Vu Ninh - A Land of Spiritual Significance and Revolutionary Traditions"; and Chapter III "Vu Ninh Reaching New Heights - A Land of Learning - A Thousand-Year-Old Tradition Shining Brightly".
According to the plan, the competitions in the Vu Ninh Ward Sports Festival will continue until the end of June 2026. Outstanding coaches and athletes will be selected to form a team to compete in the Provincial Sports Festival.
