Promoting sports and physical activities
In the early days of the new year, the atmosphere of sporting activities across many localities in the province has become vibrant and energetic. From stadiums in wards and communes to public exercise spaces, numerous competitions and festivals echo with cheers and excitement. Springtime sports and physical activities not only provide entertainment but also create a spirited start to a dynamic and healthy new year.
A Festive Spirit at All Levels
Right after the Lunar New Year holiday, Ham Thuan Commune launched the “Sports Month for All” campaign along with the 2026 Olympic Run for Public Health. Mr. Nguyen Trong Viet, Vice Chairman of the Commune People’s Committee and Head of the Organizing Committee of the Ham Thuan Sports Festival, shared that the movement “All people exercising following the example of President Ho Chi Minh” not only creates a lively atmosphere in the early days of the year but also promotes a healthy lifestyle and contributes to building a vibrant cultural life at the grassroots level.
From this energetic beginning, the locality hopes that sports activities will be maintained regularly and become a daily habit among residents, contributing to the development of the community.
Following the launching ceremony, nearly 200 officials, civil servants, armed forces members, and local residents joined the run in response to the movement. Afterward, 70 athletes competed for medals at the Ham Thuan Commune Cross-Country Championship 2026, with distances of 3,000 meters for women and 5,000 meters for men.
Mr. Pham Van Tinh from Lam Hoa Hamlet expressed his excitement:“Participating in sports activities with fellow villagers at the start of the year brings everyone joy. It’s a meaningful activity that not only improves our health but also strengthens community unity.”
Linking sports with tourism promotion
Particularly, the continuation of sports activities is closely tied to the region’s unique terrain. Traditional events such as boat racing on the Ca Ty River and running across the Mui Ne and Binh Thanh dunes have been maintained and adapted by newly established wards and communes to suit the current administrative structure.
These activities have become highlights in the cultural and spiritual life of residents while also promoting the region’s tourism image. Across the dunes of Mui Ne, groups of amateur athletes persistently push through wind and sun, conquering steep sandy slopes. Each footprint left on the sand represents not only a physical challenge but also a distinctive experience of the coastal landscape—where nature is both harsh and captivating.
Among these events, the Ta Cu Mountain Climbing Competition, held on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year at the provincial level, continued to affirm the strong development of cross-country and mountain climbing sports. The event also introduced visitors to Ham Thuan Nam, a locality known as a safe, friendly, and attractive destination.
The area is home to Ta Cu Mountain, famous for its 49-meter-long reclining statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, which was recognized as an Asian record in 2013.
Mr. Huynh Ngoc Tam, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, noted that organizing sports activities at the beginning of the year not only meets people’s recreational needs but also contributes to improving physical fitness and promoting healthy lifestyles within the community. The competitions were engaging, professionally organized, and met the recreational and competitive needs of both residents and athletes.
Sports in the early days of the year are more than just matches and training sessions; they also carry a positive message of optimism, unity, and enthusiasm for a new year full of energy. From the vibrant start of spring, the sports movement is expected to continue spreading strongly, contributing to a healthier and more civilized community.
Currently, the province has 78 indoor sports facilities, 66 swimming pools, 709 outdoor sports grounds, and about 1,500 sports clubs offering diverse training activities. These efforts have helped raise the proportion of residents who regularly participate in physical exercise to 35% of the population.