Vietnamese Sports Delegation Departs for ASIAD; Cultural Events Flourish

Vietnam has dispatched a delegation of nearly 500 members, including athletes, coaches, experts, officials, doctors, and medical staff, to the continent's premier multi-sport event, the Asian Games (ASIAD). The Vietnamese contingent, comprising 496 individuals, is set to depart in several groups based on their respective competition schedules, with the largest contingent expected to leave on September 16. The team has set an ambitious target of securing at least four gold medals at the event. Parallel to its sporting endeavors on the international stage, Vietnam is also experiencing a surge in cultural activities domestically. Notably, the Vietnamese film "Quan Ky Nam" garnered multiple accolades at the 25th Imagine India International Film Festival (IIIFF) in Madrid, including the Best Director award. In Canada, events promoting Vietnamese tea and coffee, alongside artistic performances, have been held. The song "Viet Nam trong toi la" (Vietnam in me) conveyed a message of national pride and the beauty of Vietnam and its people to Canadian audiences. Many of these cultural initiatives are organized by overseas Vietnamese (OV) communities, aiming to promote Vietnamese traditions, strengthen national unity, and deepen the ties between Vietnamese expatriates and their homeland. Furthermore, these events seek to foster patriotism and national pride, encourage the preservation of the Vietnamese language and cultural identity, and inspire overseas Vietnamese to contribute to national development. The Vietnamese government regards culture not merely as a field to be preserved and upheld, but as a spiritual foundation, an internal strength, a resource, and a key driver of sustainable development. This cultural promotion is being translated into practice across localities, with the expansion of cultural spaces, the encouragement of creativity, and the linkage of heritage with tourism, in line with Politburo's Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on cultural development. In its relations with Japan, the Vietnam Festival in Kanagawa has become a significant bridge connecting the people of both nations after 10 editions. At the BRICS Bazaar 2026 in India, Vietnam showcased its distinctive lacquerware and traditional toys, contributing to an exhibition of outstanding handicrafts from various countries. These cultural exchanges are expected to enhance Vietnam's international image, strengthen economic and cultural ties, and contribute to the preservation and development of national identity.