General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defense, attended and chaired the closing ceremony.
Leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Staff and the General Department of Political Affairs of the Viet Nam People’s Army, and units under the Ministry of National Defense (MND), as well as representatives of embassies and defense attaché offices in Viet Nam also attended the ceremony.
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General Nguyen Tan Cuong and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van present the championship trophy to the Viet Nam People’s Army volleyball team. |
Pro-active and thorough preparations and hospitality
During the tournament, the Foreign Relations Department Hotel served as the accommodation center for the participating teams. As the trip from the hotel to the competition venue initially took about an hour, the organizing panel pro-actively adjusted arrangements to make travel more convenient. At the technical meeting, three standard training courts closer to the venue were arranged, reducing travel time to about 15-20 minutes.
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General Nguyen Tan Cuong congratulates the Viet Nam People’s Army volleyball team on successfully defending its championship title. |
Requests for additional training time, mineral water, and transportation for international students to attend and cheer on the teams were also promptly addressed. These arrangements provided favorable conditions for the teams to train and compete while allowing them to experience the hospitality of the host country.
Colonel Nak Vicheth, representing the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces volleyball team, said his 20-member delegation traveled from Cambodia through Tay Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City before arriving in Ha Noi on August 18. Throughout their stay and participation in the tournament, the delegation received a warm and thoughtful welcome from the host Viet Nam.
Kristy Tel, Deputy Head of the Singapore Armed Forces delegation, said she was impressed by the way the organizing panel incorporated elements of participating countries’ cultures into the opening performance. Visits to museums and scenic sites, along with cultural exchange activities, also gave the delegation a broader experience beyond the competition itself.
Major General Tran Ba Khuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Military Training and School Management under the General Staff, a member of the organizing panel, said that under the direction of the General Staff, relevant units worked closely together to organize the tournament and receive participating delegations. Pro-active preparations also enabled the guest teams to make thorough preparations for the competition.
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Leaders of the General Staff and the General Department of Political Affairs present the third prize to the Singapore Armed Forces volleyball team. |
Exciting competition and lively atmosphere
Although the tournament was organized to promote friendship and exchanges, the competition was held with high professional standards. The Dong Anh Gymnasium met strict requirements for facilities, lighting, and safety. Video Assistant Referee technology was also used to help ensure accurate and fair decisions during matches.
With favorable competition conditions, the six participating teams, from the militaries of Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Singapore, along with the Ho Chi Minh City Public Security Volleyball Club, delivered closely contested matches. The tournament provided not only an opportunity to compete, but also a valuable platform for the teams to exchange experience, learn from one another, and assess the quality of their training.
Although the Viet Nam People’s Army volleyball team won the championship, head coach Tran Dinh Tien stressed that the team’s goals went beyond the final result. The players also fulfilled their mission of introducing the image, culture, and virtues of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” to international friends.
Meanwhile, spectators cheered not only for the Vietnamese teams but also supported other participating teams with applause and colorful banners.
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Athletes of the Viet Nam People’s Army volleyball team during the final match |
Nguyen Thi Thao, who works in Viet Tri ward, Phu Tho province, spent her day off attending the matches and brought a self-designed banner featuring a soldier and the words “The Viet Nam People’s Army - Champions.”
During the final round, the tournament left behind more than championship titles and memorable plays. Cultural exchanges, mutual understanding, and solidarity among regional militaries were among its lasting impressions. Handshakes between athletes and enthusiastic applause from spectators further highlighted the spirit of friendship throughout the event.
Assessing the tournament, Lieutenant General Nguyen Ba Luc, Deputy Chief of the General Staff and Head of the organizing panel, said its success contributed to strengthening solidarity, mutual understanding, and experience sharing among participating countries. He noted that the event provided a valuable opportunity for ASEAN militaries to promote cooperation, thereby contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world. The tournament also marked an important step forward in comprehensive cooperation among regional militaries.
Translated by Minh Anh