Present at the opening ceremony were journalist Ha Dang, former member of the Party Central Committee, former chief of the Central Committee for Culture and Ideology; Senior Lieutenant General, Academician Nguyen Huy Hieu, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Deputy Minister of Defense; Lieutenant General Do Can, Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army; Major General Pham Van Huan, Editor-in-Chief of the People's Army Newspaper, President of the Vietnam Motor-Bicycle Sports Federation and Chief of the organizing panel; representatives of General Department of Sports and Physical Training (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism); sponsors of the tournament; and cyclists of 14 participating teams.
Major General Pham Van Huan speaking at the opening ceremony
Major General Pham Van Huan opened the tournament and read State President Tran Dai Quang's congratulation letter to the race. In the letter, President Quang stressed that the race took place on the occasion of the 70th Day for War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27, 1947), a meaningful activity of traditional education towards the sacred Truong Son. The race not only contributes to improving cyclists’ skills but also showing the national tradition of “When drinking water, remember its source”, and pay tribute to fallen soldiers for the national liberation, reunification, construction and defense cause.
The first stage of the cycling tournament starting around Hoan Kiem Lake
At the ceremony, Lieutenant General Do Can said that the tournament is a meaningful activity to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Day for War Invalids and Martyrs. In localities, where the race runs through, the organizing panel will conduct a numbers of gratitude activities for wounded soldiers, martyrs' families, national contributors and children of disadvantaged policy families with good academic records.
Also at the opening ceremony, the organizing panel and sponsors presented two gratitude houses, 4 tons of rice, 20 gifts and 5 scholarships to policy beneficiaries in Hanoi.
After that, the first 51-km stage of the cycling tournament officially started around Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi).
On the occasion, a photo exhibition on six cycling races organized by the People's Army Newspaper opened at the Ly Thai To monument.
Translated by Thuy Duong