PANO – The Vietnam-Crossing Cycling Tournament – the Vietnam Defence Cup 2014 will take place from December 2nd to 16th, announced the organizers at a recent news briefing.

Jointly organized by the People’s Army Newspaper, Vietnam Motor-Bicycle Sports Federation, the military telecom group of Viettel and local organs, the event is part of activities in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 25th anniversary of the whole people’s defence festive day.

Cyclists in the "To Truong Son" cycling tournament 2012

During the 12-day tour, cyclists will go through 12 stages from Vietnam’s southernmost province of Ca Mau to the northern province of Cao Bang. The race starts in Ca Mau province, and main stages in Ca Mau, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Cao Bang will be broadcast live on a Vietnam Television Channel. 

The Hanoi Capital Command will work with public security and relevant forces to ensure safety, and work with press agencies to report the event in mass media. Via the event, the organisers will also highlightas the traditions of Hanoi’s armed forces in particular, and the Vietnam People’s Army in general.

Along the race, the organizers will conduct social activities in localities, such as offering gifts to beneficiaries and scholarships to children of needy troops. An artistic program will be organized by the organizers and Hanoi Radio-Television in Hanoi on December 13th to welcome the participating teams and entertain the Hanoians.

On November 19th, organs in Ho Chi Minh City met in preparation for welcoming and supporting participating teams and organizers of the tournament. Accordingly, the city assigned relevant organs and localities to ensure safety and security when the cyclists compete in the city. Local mass media will work together to cover the tournament’s activities.

Translated by Son Ca