During the event, a flag raising ceremony was held in a solemn atmosphere, marking the participation of the VPA in the “Safe Environment” event in the framework of the Army Games 2021. This is the third time the VPA has sent its chemical troops to the competition.

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At the flag-raising ceremony

At the ceremony, Major General Tan Silong from the Chinese Defense Ministry, who is the chief judge of the competition, highly appreciated great efforts of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense in overcoming difficulties amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic to send its force to the upcoming event hosted by China.

He also emphasized that the Army Games 2021 would be an occasion for militaries of participating countries to show their strength, promote exchange and learn from experience of each other while boosting defense cooperation among participating countries in general, and between Vietnam and China in particular.

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Vietnamese Chemical contingent during the event

After the welcoming ceremony, the Vietnamese athletes returned to their barracks and participated in the activities in the framework of the competition. According to the regulations of the competition, the team will have their health checked for the next seven days. All activities outside on the field must be conducted with  the safe distance between individuals in the team and other members of participating teams.

* On the same day, in Tyumen, Southwest of Russia, the organizing panel of the “Safe Route” contest organized a lot-drawing ceremony for participating teams.

According to the drawing result, the Vietnamese engineering teams, together with teams from Egypt, India, and Venezuela, will compete on August 25. Meanwhile, teams from the host Russia, Uzbekistan, Belarus and Laos will join the contest on August 24. From this round, the best four teams will advance to the final round, which will take place on August 29.

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Athletes practicing shooting to prepare for the “Marksman” event (Photo: Baobienphong)

* At the same time, in Algeria, the Vietnamese service dog handler contingent is training to prepare for the “Marksman” event, one of the five contents in the “True Friend” contest. The field is 100km from their accommodation, so the athletes have to move from 3a.m. (local time).

According to Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Ngoc Sang, Head of the Vietnamese team of service dogs handlers, this was their first training day for the “Marksman” content. Though it took time for the team to travel to the far-off training field and adjust their rifles, all members completed the set training goals with high determination.

* At the Patriot training base in Moscow, Russia, the Vietnamese Meridian contingent also trains hard for the Azimuth stage, which is included in the Meridian contest.

The contingent’s head Colonel Bui Yen Tinh shared that despite the local difficult terrain, new time zone and other factors, the Vietnamese athletes are trying their best to keep fit and quickly adapt to these changes.

Translated by Minh Anh