The launch took place at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi. It was attended by Politburo member and Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, who also heads the Central Steering Committee for Vietnamese Cultural Development, along with central and Hanoi officials.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra recalled late President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching that a strong population makes a prosperous nation. She said a strong country needs healthy citizens and that sustainable national development must begin with a healthy community.
She said the Party and State have consistently placed people and public health at the centre of national development. Tra also cited General Secretary and President To Lam as saying that individual health and physical fitness are part of national strength.
Sports and physical education, she said, should help build a population that is physically strong and mentally resilient, strengthen willpower, and encourage solidarity and the desire to contribute to the country.
Tra called on every citizen to take up at least one sport suited to their age, health condition and daily routine. She said perseverance and choosing suitable activities matter more than seeking major results immediately if the movement is to spread from individuals to families and the wider community.
The Deputy Prime Minister asked authorities to turn Party guidelines into concrete action and called for greater investment in accessible, safe and convenient public sports infrastructure so that the movement could become a regular practice nationwide.
Tra said sports teach long-term perseverance and that victory comes from overcoming oneself. About 12,000 people took part in the Hanoi ceremony, which was connected with activities in 33 provinces and cities nationwide.
Immediately after the ceremony, officials and thousands of residents joined a run around Hoan Kiem Lake. On October 10 and 11, the pedestrian area hosted pickleball, badminton, table tennis, sepak takraw, shuttlecock kicking, chess, xiangqi, golf, 3x3 basketball, roller sports, power walking, stick pushing and tug-of-war. Martial arts demonstrations were also held, including Vovinam, judo, wushu, taekwondo and traditional Vietnamese martial arts. The organising committee set up stations for health check-ups and consultations, fitness guidance and registration for regular sports participation.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
