This year’s event, chaired by the Russian Ministry of Defense, drew the participation of 156 contingents from 32 countries and territories across the world.

A high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese People’s Army (VPA), led by Lieutenant General Ngo Minh Tien, Deputy Chief of the VPA’s General Staff, attended the opening ceremony.

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Lieutenant General Ngo Minh Tien, Deputy Chief of the VPA’s General Staff, talks with members of the Vietnamese contingent participating in the Army Games 2020. Photo: Trong Hai

Vietnam will take part in 11 contests and a cultural exchange “Friendship without borders” at the Army Games 2020. Specifically, the VPA’s contingent will compete in interesting and challenging events, namely Tank Biathlon, Safe Route, Safe Environment, Emergency Area, True Friend, Field Kitchen, Master of Artillery Fire, and Clear Sky in Russia.

In Belarus, the Vietnamese Sniper and Signal Teams will also compete in Sniper Frontier and Consistent Reception events, while the Military Medical Team will join the “Military Medical Relay Race” in Uzbekistan.

This is the third time the VPA has participated in the Army Games. This year, Vietnam has the largest number of contestants and the most teams to compete in various contests. The larger Vietnamese contingent participating in the Army Games 2020 demonstrates the VPA’s willingness to boost exchange and cooperation with the militaries of the host countries and from other countries worldwide.

An opening ceremony of Tank Biathlon was also held right after the official opening ceremony for the Army Games 2020. Group 1, including China, Azerbaijan, Serbia and Belarus, immediately entered in the first round.

On the same day, the opening ceremony for the Army Games 2020 also took place in Belarus with the participation of the VPA’s Sniper and Signal Teams. In Uzbekistan, the opening ceremony will be held on August 24, where the Vietnamese Medical Team will compete in the “Military Medical Relay Race” event.

The People's Army Newspaper (PAN) has secured exclusive rights to livestream the  events of the International Army Games 2020, including the Opening Ceremony of the Army Games 2020 in Russia, starting at 17:00 (Hanoi time) on August 23.

Translated by Minh Anh