Runner Lan, swimmer Hoang to fly the flag for Vietnam at Tokyo Games
For the first time in Olympic history, national flags will be carried by two athletes at the Games, and runner Quach Thi Lan and swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang have the honour of carrying the Vietnamese flag at the upcoming Tokyo Games’ opening ceremony.
Quach Thi Lan is selected as co-Olympic flag bearer for Vietnam at the Tokyo Games. (Photo: baothanhhoa.vn)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - For the first time in Olympic history, nationalflags will be carried by two athletes at the Games, and runner Quach Thi Lanand swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang have the honour of carrying the Vietnamese flag atthe upcoming Tokyo Games’ opening ceremony.
Thenew tradition, with every nation to be led out by both female and maleathletes, is part of the International Olympic Committee's efforts to pushgender equality.
Thehonour is bestowed upon athletes the Vietnam Olympic Committee believes bestembody the spirit and quality of the Games.
Lanand Hoang will both make their debut at the planet's biggest sporting eventthis summer and lead a team of 43 members who will vie for medals in 11 sports.
SwimmerHoang has qualified for both men’s 800m and 1,500m freestyle events.
Nguyen Huy Hoang has been named one of Vietnam's two flag bearers for the opening ceremony at the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo: sggp.org.vn)
Hewas the first Vietnamese athlete to book an Olympic slot after he passed the Astandard for the 800m class (7min 52.74sec) at the world championship in July2019 in the Republic of Korea.
Fivemonths later, the 2018 Youth Olympic gold medalist set a new record (14min58.14sec) in the 30th SEA Games’ 1,500m and took a second Olympics slot.
Meanwhile,Lan will be the only Vietnamese runner in Tokyo after receiving a wild card.The Asian championship and Asian Games winner will compete in the women’s 400mhurdles.
"It'ssuch an honour and a privilege," Lan told Viet Nam News.
"It'sone of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. It's great torepresent my country in a sport at the world's biggest sporting event. It willbe a strong push and encouragement for me ahead of my run."
Lan’stournament will begin on July 31 and she will face world record holder SydneyMcLaughlin of the US who set the new standard of 51.90sec last month during theUS Olympic Track and Field Trials.
The26-year-old Lan from Thanh Hoa province is the only runner from ASEAN and oneof two from Asia in this category.
“Itis priceless to have a chance to run again powerful opponents. Coming to Tokyowithout any pressure I believe that I could overcome my limits, making it anunforgettable memory in my career,” said Lan.
Anotherfirst for these Olympics is athletes will now put their medals around their ownnecks to protect against COVID-19.
Medalswill be on a tray and then athletes will take the medal themselves. There willbe no handshakes and hugs during the medal ceremony.
Previously,the medals were presented by an IOC member or a leading official in a sport’sgoverning body.
Vietnam’s delegation will leave for Tokyo on July 18. The Olympics willbegin on July 23 and close on August 8 with all events held behind closeddoors./.
Rowers have secured Vietnam’s seventh Olympic slot at the World Rowing Asia and Oceania Olympic and Paralympic qualification regatta which ended in Japan on May 7.
Two Vietnamese badminton players Nguyen Tien Minh and Nguyen Thuy Linh have won berths to the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced on June 7.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
Quach Thi Lan is selected as co-Olympic flag bearer for Vietnam at the Tokyo Games. (Photo: baothanhhoa.vn) 
Nguyen Huy Hoang has been named one of Vietnam's two flag bearers for the opening ceremony at the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo: sggp.org.vn) 
