Bac Ninh-born kickboxer Nguyen Quang Huy (second from left) triumphs in the under 60kg Low Kick men category. (Photo: VNA)
Bac Ninh (VNA) - Vietnam has retained its throne in kickboxing at the regional arena after bagging five gold medals at SEA Games 31 on home soil.
Kickboxing competitions wrapped up on May 13 evening with finals of weight categories being held in the northern province of Bac Ninh.
Huynh Van Tuan, who won gold at the previous SEA Games in the Philippines in the under 51kg Full Contact men category, succeeded in defending his title after beating his Indonesian opponent Pattisamallo Salmri Stendra in the final.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Hang Nga clinched another gold in the women’s under 48kg Full Contact, which was her second at the regional sporting event.
The third gold medal for Vietnam was gained by Huynh Thi Kim Vang, who took down her Philippine rival Zephania Ngaya in the under 65kg Full Contact women event.
Nguyen The Huong secured the fourth gold medal on the day as he showed his dominance over Lorn Panha of Cambodia in the men’s under 67kg Full Contact. He only pocketed bronze at SEA Games 30 in the Philippines.
The fifth one was earned by the Bac Ninh-born kickboxer Nguyen Quang Huy in the under 60kg Low Kick men category.
Vietnam topped the kickboxing tally with five gold and six bronze medals, followed by Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.
SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, is being held in the capital and 11 neighbouring provinces and cities until May 23.
Featuring 40 sports with 523 events, it attracts around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.
After victories and luck of the draw on May 10, Philippine officials said they hope their kickboxers will win gold medals at competitions the framework of the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).
Thailand’s kickboxing team, led by Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchemek, has set the target of obtaining the top position at SEA Games 31 in Vietnam, according to the organising committee.
On May 11, at the end of the semi-final round of Kickboxing, the Vietnamese team had 5 excellent athletes reaching the final round to compete for the gold medal.
It is the first time that the country is to hold a G1-level tournament which is expected to lure more than 100 athletes of 15 countries and regions at Go Vap Gymnasium.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
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.
Bac Ninh-born kickboxer Nguyen Quang Huy (second from left) triumphs in the under 60kg Low Kick men category. (Photo: VNA) 
