Special mark of Vietnamese sports in the international arena

Vietnamese sports have made remarkable changes, leaving their mark on the international arena over the past 50 years. Not only successfully hosting 2 SEA Games, many Vietnamese athletes have also achieved high results at ASIAD and Olympics, showing the remarkable progress of the country's sports.

Medals are more precious than gold

When talking about the mark of Vietnamese sports since its integration, it is impossible not to mention the prestigious gold medal that shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh won at the 2016 Brazilian Olympics. It was a historic moment, marking a new milestone for the country's sports when conquering the brilliant peak in the world's most prestigious arena. With high concentration, rich experience and excellent situation handling skills, the Vietnamese shooter defeated famous opponents to win the title in the men's 10m air pistol event, and at the same time set an Olympic record. Not only that, also at the 2016 Olympics, Colonel Hoang Xuan Vinh won another silver medal in the 50m slow-fire pistol event. He became the first domestic athlete to bring home great glory, helping the image of Vietnam fly high and far in the eyes of international friends.

Shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh (middle) and the precious medal of the 2016 Brazilian Olympics

PHOTO: NVCC

Before the historic gold medal of shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh, Vietnamese sports also witnessed the wonderful moment of taekwondo fighter Tran Hieu Ngan at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. The girl from Phu Yen created a miracle, becoming the first Vietnamese athlete to win a medal at the Olympics. In the women's 57 kg weight class, Tran Hieu Ngan excellently won the Olympic silver medal. Hieu Ngan's teammates also won gold medals at the continental level such as fighter Tran Quang Ha won the gold medal at the 1994 ASIAD, Ho Nhat Thong won the gold medal at the 1998 ASIAD. When Hieu Ngan won the runner-up position at the Olympics, it can be said that her silver medal at that time was as precious as gold and had great significance, not only affirming the "transformation" of Vietnamese sports, the potential of Vietnamese people but also a powerful message about a Vietnam integrating, innovating and developing.

That precious silver medal has strongly encouraged the spirit of the next generation of talented Vietnamese athletes, aiming for achievements that will bring glory to the Fatherland. Weightlifter Hoang Anh Tuan winning the silver medal in the 56 kg weight class at the 2008 Beijing Olympics has further affirmed that Vietnamese sports have many strengths. Thanks to good investment and a suitable roadmap, we have continued to make our mark on the world map, bringing great pride to Vietnamese fans.

Olympic champion Hoang Xuan Vinh (right) and his student Pham Quang Huy – ASIAD champion

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

In addition to those valuable medals, some teams have made contributions that, although they have not yet reached the highest positions, have built their position and spread the wonderful image of the country's sports. That is the first time that Vietnamese women's football has qualified for the 2023 World Cup, the Vietnamese U.20 men's team has won a place at the 2017 FIFA U.20 World Cup, the futsal team has twice consecutively participated in the world's major indoor football playground in 2016 and 2021, or the women's volleyball team has won the Asian championship three times and participated in the World Cup in Thailand. In addition, we can mention the silver medal at the U.23 Asian Cup in Changzhou (China) in 2018 of the U.23 Vietnam team and the first time the national team entered the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup and the quarter-finals of the 2019 Asian Cup.

Vietnam women's team excellently won the right to attend the World Cup

PHOTO: VFF

The Vietnamese team performed impressively in international and regional arenas.

PHOTO: VFF

Both times hosting the SEA Games were a great success.

The Southeast Asian Games, also known as SEA Games, is a playground for 11 countries in the region, held every two years. Vietnamese sports participated in the first SEA Games in 1959. But it was not until 44 years later, after 21 games, that we first hosted the SEA Games. The 22nd SEA Games in 2003 left an extremely wonderful mark. It was a SEA Games that was not only a resounding success in terms of expertise, but also a good opportunity to promote the image of the country and people of Vietnam to international friends. The image of the mascot "golden buffalo" appearing everywhere or the official song of the game "For a world tomorrow" was profound and emotional, helping the 22nd SEA Games create a very deep and special impression in the hearts of people and friends in the region, contributing to the common goal of progress for Southeast Asian countries. With 346 medals, including 158 gold medals, Vietnamese sports have risen to the top of the delegation, opening a new era of equal competition with Thai sports.

Vietnam successfully organized the 31st SEA Games, leaving a special impression in the hearts of international friends.

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

This success is the premise for nearly 20 years later, in May 2022, Vietnam will bring a new momentum to the 31st SEA Games. The number of competitions is greater, the content is more diverse and richer, requiring the mobilization of more material and human resources and funding. Of which, 12 provinces and cities participated in organizing the congress. But with determination and good inheritance of previous traditional values, Vietnam has created an interesting playground, bringing exciting moments of competition and "treating" the regional sports festival to a great feast of excitement, hospitality and friendship.

The biggest mark of this SEA Games is the record number of viewers. All the stands of the football fields and gymnasiums where the 31st SEA Games will take place were packed with people. The organizing committee brought the sports to provinces with strong sports development movements to compete, attracting a large number of enthusiastic fans to the SEA Games. In addition, new sports that are loved by young people such as basketball, e-sports, etc. also received great attention from students. Even without the Vietnamese team, the gymnasiums were still packed with spectators. The image of tens of thousands of fans filling Thien Truong Stadium to support the 5 U.23 teams of the region competing in Group B not only surprised the fans but also made the teams extremely emotional.

SEA Games 31 held in Vietnam, bringing pride to Southeast Asia

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

It cannot be said otherwise, SEA Games 31 is more than just a sports event with medals. It is truly a sports and cultural festival for Southeast Asian countries to come closer together. It is also an opportunity for Vietnamese people to express their patriotism, passion for sports and friendliness and affection towards international friends. This has contributed significantly to promoting the development of tourism and the development of the Vietnamese economy after the Covid-19 pandemic. From there, the image of Vietnam has spread more strongly, which is a great motivation for Vietnamese sports to continue to rise, defending the overall first place at SEA Games 32 in Cambodia.

Images of SEA Games 31 sparkling in the eyes of fans

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

Vietnam will be determined to maintain this position at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand at the end of 2025. With the spirit and will of Vietnam and the aspiration to step into a new era, we will certainly strive to affirm our strength and stability in the top of the region.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dau-an-dac-biet-cua-the-thao-viet-nam-tren-dau-truong-quoc-te-185250828122912715.htm