HCM City’s officials, artists play charity football match for Cuba
A friendly football match at Thong Nhat Stadium saw Ho Chi Minh City’s officials and civil servants take on a squad of local artists, all to toast 50 years of the city’s vibrant arts and literature scene while raising funds for Cuba.
Co-hosted by the municipal Department of Culture and Sports and Vietnam Fatherland Front’s local chapter, the September 26 match was also meant to celebrate the upcoming municipal Party Congress for the 2025-2030 tenure.
The pitch was packed with amateur players, including artists like Hoang Bach, Nguyen Thai Son, Tuan Milano, and Nguu Degeo facing off against local officials, such as Director of the Public Security Department Lieutenant General Mai Hoang, National Assembly deputy Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hoang Ngan, and Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports Cao Van Chong.
After a spirited 90-minute clash, the officials’ team edged out the artists 2-1.
Later, organisers handed over VND2 billion (US$76,900), raised from players, businesses and fans to Cuban Consul General in HCM City Ariadne Feo Labrada, as a gesture of solidarity with the Cuban people.
Over US$15.1 million mobilised in support of Cuban people in a month
The fundraising programme “65 Years of Vietnam–Cuba Solidarity” has garnered more than VND400 billion (over US$15.1 million) with nearly 2 million donations as of the morning of September 5, less than a month since its launch.
