Vietnam's Dong Nai Province to Host 10th Asian Pencak Silat Championship in 2026

Dong Nai Province in southern Vietnam is set to host the 10th Asian Pencak Silat Championship in 2026, from July 15 to 23. The opening ceremony was grandly held on July 17 at the Dong Nai Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center. The championship is jointly organized by the General Department of Sports and Physical Education of Vietnam, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dong Nai Province, and the International Pencak Silat Federation. Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Director of the Dong Nai Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasized in her opening speech that the championship serves as a platform for athletes to compete fairly, while also strengthening exchange, mutual understanding, and friendly relations among participating nations. The event is expected to attract approximately 300 athletes from 10 teams, including Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and China (Taiwan). Competitions will feature 13 weight categories for men, ranging from under 45kg to over 110kg, and 11 weight categories for women, from under 45kg to over 100kg, in both individual and team formats. Additionally, there will be artistic performance categories for individual, pair, team, and creative male and female exponents. Dong Nai Province hosting such an international sporting event marks a significant milestone, demonstrating the locality's capability in organizing international sports events. It is also expected to help promote the image of Dong Nai as a dynamic, friendly province with great potential for economic, cultural, and tourism development to friends worldwide. Source: Nhan Dan