Over recent years, Da Nang’s sports sector has gained numerous remarkable achievements, having gradually affirmed its position as a sports and physical training centre in the central region.

Municipal People’s Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho (left), Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien (middle), and Vice President Fok at the handover ceremony of the ABG flag

In 2015, the city had only 21 high-achievement sports with 270 athletes in total. These figures have increased to 54 sports, and 668 professional and 170 semi-professional athletes this year.

In addition, the sports sector has played a vital role in training and providing outstanding athletes for national squads. 12 local athletes contributed 4 gold medals, 2 silver and 4 bronze to the Vietnamese team at the SEA Games 2015, and 4 silver and 3 bronze ones at the SEA Games 2017.

Most notably, weightlifter Tran Le Quoc Toan and race walker Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc represented Viet Nam at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

In addition to weightlifter Quoc Toan and swimmer Hoang Quy Phuoc, race walker Nguyen Thanh Ngung earned a place in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by satisfying the Olympic standard. 

Apart from high-achievement sports, the city has seen a significant increase in the quality and quantity of mass sports movements.

In particular, recent years have seen a boom in the number of table tennis, martial arts and dance sports clubs, plus fitness, gym and yoga rooms.

The municipal sports sector has actively appealed for billions of VND from local businesses to fund national and municipal-level sports competitions in the city.

Specially, such annually international sports events as VNG IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam triathlon and Da Nang International Marathon have helped to attract a large number of domestic and foreign athletes and visitors participating.

In particular, the VNG IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam triathlon attracted a total of 1,330 athletes from 59 countries and territories worldwide in 2017, and over 1,636 athletes from 56 countries and territories worldwide in 2018.

Meanwhile, this year’s Da Nang International Marathon drew a total of 7,000 professional and amateur runners from 52 countries worldwide, an increase of 3,000 racers against 2017.

Such events have helped to advertise the city’s image of being ‘Asia’s Leading Festival and Events Destination’ to international friends.

Da Nang has received high appreciation from sports experts and international friends for successfully hosting some sports events at municipal, national and international levels.

In his remarks at the 5^th Asian Beach Games (ABG5), Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Timothy Tsun Ting Fok said all officials, coaches and athletes from participating countries had the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful climate, and explore the beauty of beaches, and the cultural and historical values, of Da Nang.

He also thanked the leaders and people of Da Nang for bringing unforgettable moments to participants during ABG5 event.

Mr Yoshiho Fujisawa, General Director of the Dentsu Alpha Company, who was amongst persons who introduced the International Marathon to Da Nang, affirmed local sports sector has played an important role in advertising the beauty of the city and local residents to international friends, as well as bringing the world closer to the seaside city.