Asian Games 2026: Vietnam Sports Delegation Officially Raises Flag in Nagoya

The Vietnamese sports delegation officially raised its flag at Nagoya Port, Japan, marking its formal presence at the Asian Games 2026 and boosting the morale of its athletes ahead of the competitions in Aichi-Nagoya. The welcome and flag-raising ceremony for the Vietnamese sports delegation participating in the Asian Games 2026 was held in a solemn atmosphere on the morning of September 18th at Fuji Plaza, Garden Pier, Nagoya Port (Japan). Attendees at the ceremony included Mr. Hoàng Đạo Cương, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; Mr. Nguyễn Hồng Minh, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Sports Administration and Head of the Vietnamese Sports Delegation; along with officials and athletes of the delegation. The flag-raising ceremony is one of the official rituals before the Games commence, signifying the presence of the Vietnamese Sports Delegation at the continent's largest sports festival. The moment the red flag with a golden star was hoisted at Nagoya Port carried with it a sense of pride and further motivated the athletes for the crucial competition days ahead. According to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Organizing Committee, welcome ceremonies for delegations are organized over three days, from September 16th to 18th, with three sessions each day at 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and 5:00 PM. Each delegation can send a maximum of 14 members to attend. The program includes delegation introductions, cultural performances, welcoming speeches, the flag-raising ritual, exchange of souvenirs, and group photos. The venue at Nagoya Port also carries the unique imprint of the host city. Near the flagpole are the statues of Taro and Jiro, two sled dogs famous for their story of survival through a harsh Antarctic winter. Behind them is the Antarctic exploration ship Fuji, currently preserved and displayed at Nagoya Port. Mr. Nguyễn Hồng Minh, Head of the Vietnamese Sports Delegation, stated that the health of the athletes is stable and the entire delegation is ready to compete. According to Mr. Nguyễn Hồng Minh, the fact that teams have to stay in different locations poses considerable difficulties for command, control, and handling of emergent situations. However, the Vietnamese Sports Delegation has proactively developed adaptation plans for the organizational conditions in Japan. The presence of Deputy Minister Hoàng Đạo Cương at the flag-raising ceremony also served as a source of encouragement for the delegation members before the Games officially begin. Preparations for the Asian Games 2026 had been underway since the domestic training phase until the teams departed for Japan. The Asian Games 2026 will take place from September 19th to October 4th in Aichi-Nagoya. The Vietnamese Sports Delegation is participating with 498 members, led by Mr. Nguyễn Hồng Minh, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Sports Administration. From the flag-raising ritual at Nagoya Port, the Vietnamese Sports Delegation officially turns its focus to the competition days, aiming to perform to the best of their abilities and demonstrate solidarity and determination for the national colors.