Vietnam Kicks Off Sports Festival 2026 with Grand Opening

The opening ceremony of the Sports Festival 2026 took place on the evening of August 1st at Bikini Beach Square in Tien Thanh ward, Lam Dong province, marking the start of a series of national-scale sports activities. The event attracted over ten thousand spectators, with a large outdoor stage featuring a blend of music, art, and modern performance effects. Lieutenant General Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam People's Police Sports Association, stated in his opening remarks that a highlight of the Sports Festival 2026 is the participation of delegations from the Police, Security forces, ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic agencies, international organizations, and athletes from 13 countries and territories. According to the organizing committee, the Sports Festival 2026 brings together approximately 17,000 athletes, coaches, referees, delegates, and guests, both domestic and international, across 12 disciplines, making it one of the largest sporting events of the year. Mr. Ho Van Muoi, Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, assessed the Sports Festival 2026 as a significant milestone in the locality's sports tourism development strategy. He noted that organizing numerous national and international tournaments simultaneously will help promote the destination's image and effectively utilize sports and tourism infrastructure. The provincial leadership hopes that the series of activities will provide further impetus for the development of services and commerce, attract tourists, and gradually establish Lam Dong as a destination for large-scale sports events. A key moment of the opening ceremony was the announcement and awarding of a Vietnam Record for the Sports Festival 2026, recognizing it as the multi-sport festival with the highest number of independent competitions within the national and international competition system held concurrently in Vietnam, combined with cultural, community, and tourism activities. Following the opening formalities, the stage transformed into a grand music festival with a series of artistic, martial arts, and light performances, igniting the atmosphere. Singer My Linh opened the program, appearing in a red gown and performing "Tu Nguyen." She followed with a powerful rendition of "Khat Vong," creating a poignant moment before introducing "Tinh Hoa Viet Nam" by composer Nguyen Hai Phong. Her performance concluded with a burst of confetti and fireworks. The program continued with a dance sport performance by Phan Hien and Thu Huong. The duo delivered a performance blending competitive technique with artistic expression, adding color to the opening night. Phan Hien is a prominent figure in Vietnamese dance sport with numerous achievements at the SEA Games and international competitions. Singer Hoang Bach, in a red leather jacket, performed "Loi Trai Tim Viet Nam," "Hay Vuon Cao Hon," and "Cham Vao Vinh Quang." Many audience members joined in with enthusiastic applause and dancing to the vibrant music. He expressed his hope that the songs would provide motivation for the athletes before their competitions. Singer Nguyen Hung followed with two inspirational songs, "Con Gi Dep Hon" and "Phep Mau," popular on digital platforms. Dressed in a white shirt and red scarf, the artist delivered an energetic performance. The finale featured the appearance of the national flag, accompanied by fireworks and balloon effects, creating a climactic moment. The group OPlus maintained the energy with three songs: "Viet Nam Muon Mau," "Khat Khao Khong Dung Noi," and "Viet Nam Oi." During the second song, members engaged with the audience, fostering a lively atmosphere. A martial arts performance team led by athlete Chau Tuyet Van showcased a spirited synchronized routine. According to Chau Tuyet Van, martial arts cultivate not only victory but also resilience, tenacity, and the spirit of self-overcoming, a message she hopes will inspire athletes across all disciplines. The program concluded with the band Buc Tuong performing their well-known rock anthems such as "Ho Keo Phao," "Con Duong Khong Ten," and "Duong Den Ngay Vinh Quang." The ceremony concluded with a spectacular display of fireworks and light effects, marking the end of the Sports Festival 2026 opening and heralding the start of competitions for tens of thousands of domestic and international athletes.