Over recent months, the Da Nang authorities have made great efforts to prepare for the 5^th Asian Beach Games (ABG5) which will take place in the city from 24 September to 3 October.

A recent local publicity activity for ABG5

The focus has been on designing and constructing training facilities and competition venues for the sports events, and increasing publicity.  Preparations are now being kept on track, meeting the requirements of the central organising board for ABG5.  However, the city authorities are currently facing some difficulties, including arranging accommodation for the competing teams and developing plans for ensuring security before and during ABG5. 

With only around 2 months to go, municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Dang Viet Dung recently asked the central organising board to send more experts to the city in order to help solve the city’s problems.  He also suggested that the board should work very closely with other relevant government agencies in order to give more help to the host city.

The city leader also took the opportunity to ask permission from the central government for the city to choose prestigious contractors to deploy some projects in preparations for ABG5, without conducting public biddings as required previously.

In reply, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Khanh Hai highly praised the city authorities for their great efforts in preparing for ABG5.  He emphasised that the upcoming event will be a great opportunity to advertise the beautiful images of the land and people of Da Nang, and those of Viet Nam as a whole, to international friends.  He added that Da Nang has been chosen by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to host ABG5 thanks to its modern venues and facilities which are suitable for international sporting events.

Deputy Minister Hai also pledged to submit Vice Chairman Dung’s recommendations to the central government for consideration and approval.