Hanoi exhibition highlights history of Italian sports

The event, jointly organised by the Italian Embassy in Vietnam, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the M9 Museum of Venice, displays a total of 24 photographs, telling various stories about sports in the Southern European country, which is famous for its various competitions and renowned athletes competing at a worldclass level.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Italian Ambassador Marco Della Seta emphasized the role sports play in life, saying they serve as a bridge to connect different countries worldwide, including Italy and Vietnam.

He revealed the Italian sports industry accounts for 1.3% of the country’s GDP and comprises more than 750 companies, generating EUR12.2 billion in revenue and EUR9.2 billion in exports worldwide. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Italy made several outstanding performances in many kinds of sports, winning 12 gold medals.

Meanwhile, through the rapid development of sports, Vietnam has witnessed a significant increase in international sports achievements in recent years, he said, recalling Vietnamese athletes’ impressive performances at the SEA Games as well as at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.

Sports have become an indispensable part of Vietnamese society, and like Vietnam, Italy also considers sports to be central to its national identity, he stated. 

The exhibition is being held at the Italian promotional and cultural centre Casa Italia to help visitors understand more about the evolution of sporting activities in Italy from the early 20th century to the present day.

The event will last through to October 8.