Lam Dong Sports: From Grassroots Strength to Aspirations for Greater Achievement
Following the administrative merger of Lam Dong, Binh Thuan, and Dak Nong, the province’s sports landscape is gradually taking shape with vibrant momentum. Beyond the expansion of geography and athlete base, Lam Dong sports have demonstrated strong momentum — from mass participation to elite performance — reflecting the effectiveness of a comprehensive strategy that places people at the center and steadily affirms its position on the national sports map.
When sport becomes part of daily life
Early mornings and late afternoons in Da Lat, Phan Thiet, and Gia Nghia now share a familiar sight: residents running by the lake, middle-aged groups practicing yoga, folk dances and badminton, young people playing football or working out, and cyclists riding along coastal roads. Sports are no longer seasonal or campaign-driven; they have become an essential daily habit.
This progress is closely linked to socialization efforts in physical training and sports. The province currently has more than 600 sports business establishments, including 129 enterprises certified by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Modern facilities — multi-purpose sports complexes, swimming pools, tennis courts, mini artificial-turf football fields, gyms, yoga and aerobics studios, and martial arts centers — continue to expand, creating greater access for communities from urban centers to rural areas.
According to provincial sports authorities, socialization not only diversifies training options but also drives sustainable growth in community sports.
“When businesses and citizens jointly invest in and organize sports activities, participation spreads more widely, easing pressure on the state budget and creating an economic value chain linked to improved community health,” said Huynh Ngoc Tam, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The province now has 16 sports federations and 2 sports associations operating effectively, acting as crucial bridges in organizing competitions, identifying talent, and maintaining momentum within each discipline.
In parallel, athlete and human-resource development is considered a strategic priority. Over the past year, around 50 provincial coaches and referees participated in training programs organized by national sports bodies. The Department also organized or co-organized six professional training courses for officials, teachers, and grassroots collaborators, attracting approximately 700 participants. These programs help local sports personnel update modern coaching methods and gradually meet the demands of the new development phase.
Phan Dang Nguyen, Head Coach of the provincial canoeing team, noted that regular training programs enable coaches to apply scientific, sport-specific methodologies:
“Training is now more structured, focusing on strength, technical precision, and endurance, helping us build a stable, long-term athlete pipeline rather than chasing short-term achievements.”
Advancing toward elite performance
Building on strong grassroots foundations, Lam Dong continues strengthening its elite sports system. The province currently trains 732 athletes across tiers, including 317 youth prospects, 156 junior athletes, and 259 elite competitors in track and field, traditional martial arts, judo, taekwondo, boxing, weightlifting, bodybuilding, badminton, chess, dance sport, youth football, rowing, canoeing, carom billiards, and more.
Over the past year, Lam Dong athletes competed in numerous national, regional, and international tournaments, earning hundreds of medals — including many golds in core sports. Several disciplines maintained top rankings at national championships and junior competitions. Notably, 31 athletes were called up to national and youth national teams (12 elite, 19 junior), underscoring the quality of Lam Dong’s training programs.
The expanded administrative boundary has opened broader opportunities for sport development, with diverse natural conditions spanning sea, mountains, and highlands. This advantage supports outdoor sports, marine sports, high-performance competition, and tourism-linked sports economics. Results achieved over the past year show Lam Dong is on the right track: broader participation, stronger socialization, structured training, and steadily improving performance.
Today, sport is not only about medals. It is a journey toward healthier lifestyles, improved human capital, and sustainable development. From local training grounds to national arenas, from community activities to elite competition, Lam Dong sports are steadily building stature and laying a solid foundation for the future.
In the coming period, the culture, sports, and tourism sector will continue reviewing and developing strategies tailored to each region, leveraging unique strengths, avoiding fragmentation, and prioritizing focused, high-impact investments.
Mr. Huynh Ngoc Tam, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism