The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a ceremony on March 28 in Hanoi to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s traditional day of sports and physical training (March 27, 1946- March 27, 2026), attended by Party General Secretary To Lam.

In his address, Minister Nguyen Van Hung said that from the early days after independence, the Party and President Ho Chi Minh had identified the important role of sports and physical training in the revolutionary cause. On March 27, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 38 establishing the Department of Youth and Physical Training and called on people nationwide to exercise, affirming that a healthy population is the foundation of a strong nation.

On behalf of Party and State leaders, Party chief To Lam extended congratulations to generations of officials, coaches, athletes and workers in the sector. He said that over the past 80 years, sports and physical training in Vietnam have contributed to improving people’s health and quality of life, gradually affirming Vietnam’s position at regional and international competitions, and strengthening national unity while helping bring Vietnam’s image to the world.

The Party chief said Vietnam is entering a new period of development with higher requirements for physical stature, public health, national competitiveness and quality of life, and that a more comprehensive view is needed of the role of sports and physical training in national development.

He then outlined eight key tasks. The first is to complete the system of policies and regulations for sports development in a modern and consistent manner. The second is to develop mass sports, enabling all people to have the right, conditions and motivation to take part, identifying this as a central and long-term task of the sector. The third is to improve physical education and school sports, seen as the foundation of the strategy for developing the Vietnamese people.

The fourth is to preserve and develop traditional sports associated with community culture. The fifth is to develop high-performance sports in a professional, scientific and sustainable manner. The sixth is to broaden the concept of sports to include both physical and mental activities.

The seventh is to promote the socialisation of sports in a directed manner with clear responsibility. The eighth is to expand international cooperation, raise Vietnam’s sports standing and learn from advanced international experience.

In recognition of the sector’s major contributions, the Party and State have awarded many high honours, including the Ho Chi Minh Order and the Independence Order. At the ceremony, the Viet Nam Sports Administration received the First-Class Labour Order.

He then set out eight key tasks. First, to complete the system of policies and regulations for sports development in a modern and consistent manner. Second, to develop mass sports so that all people have the right, conditions and motivation to take part, identifying this as a central and long-term task of the sector. Third, to improve physical education and school sports, seen as the foundation of the strategy for developing the Vietnamese people.

Fourth, to preserve and develop traditional sports associated with community culture. Fifth, to develop high-performance sports in a professional, scientific and sustainable manner. Sixth, to broaden the concept of sports to include both physical and mental activities.

Seventh, to promote the socialisation of sports in a directed manner with clear responsibility. Eighth, to expand international cooperation, raise Vietnam’s sports standing and learn from advanced international experience.

In recognition of the sector’s contributions, the Party and State have awarded many high honours, including the Ho Chi Minh Order and the Independence Order. At the ceremony, the Sporty Authority of Vietnam received the First-Class Labour Order.

Sports development strategy approved

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long has signed a decision approving the sports development strategy until 2030 with a vision to 2050, with an aim to promote the sector in a sustainable and professional direction.