Teqball Players Secure First Medal for Vietnam at ASIAD 2026; Cultural Exchange Flourishes

Vietnamese teams are travelling to Japan in separate groups according to their competition schedules. Shooting, karate and sepak takraw are among the teams carrying high expectations after winning gold medals at ASIAD 19. The Vietnamese delegation is targeting at least four gold medals at ASIAD 20. At ASIAD 2026, the Vietnamese national anthem played as the red flag with a yellow star was raised at Nagoya Port, marking the official presence of the Vietnamese delegation and boosting the athletes’ morale ahead of the competitions. In the teqball competition, the Vietnam U23 team leveled the score at 1-1 with a header from Ngoc My just two minutes after falling behind, securing Vietnam’s first medal at ASIAD 2026. The Vietnamese delegation is fielding a delegation of nearly 500 members and is targeting at least four gold medals at the continent’s biggest multi-sport event. On the cultural front, organizers aim to convey the message that heritage is not a collection of artifacts or values frozen in the past, but a living flow that continues to evolve, adapt, and be enriched by each generation, according to Le Thi Anh Mai, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Notably, Hoi An lantern making, a traditional craft with over 400 years of history, uses saltwater-treated bamboo frames to prevent termite damage and is covered with delicate silk, producing a soft, warm glow that reflects the charm of Vietnam’s cultural heritage. This year's festival also brings together works from various European countries alongside Vietnamese films, presenting diverse themes and forms of expression. Furthermore, the first Vietnam Ethnic Minority Women’s Football – VTV Cup is scheduled to be launched in 2026, building on the momentum of women's football movements that have been quietly growing in local communities. In Hanoi, Hanoi Jazztival 2026 will feature open and free-of-charge activities at both professional performance venues and public spaces, seeking to expand access to jazz and make the genre more visible in the capital’s urban cultural life. These sporting and cultural events play a crucial role in enhancing Vietnam's international presence and fostering cultural exchange.