30 years of the establishment of the Vietnam Paralympic Committee: The journey of overcoming difficulties and reaching the world

Since its inception, the Vietnam Paralympic Committee has shown continuous development, making significant contributions to the overall achievements of the country's sports, helping to affirm the extraordinary determination of the Vietnamese people in the international arena.

September 22, 1995 marked a special event when the Vietnam Disabled Sports Association (now the Vietnam Paralympic Committee - VPC) was officially established. Since then, Vietnam's disabled sports have gone through a difficult but emotional journey, contributing to affirming the extraordinary willpower of the Vietnamese people in the international arena.

After 30 years of establishment and development, VPC has made significant contributions to the overall achievements of Vietnamese sports.

In the early years of its establishment, VPC faced numerous challenges due to lack of facilities, limited training equipment, inexperienced coaching staff, and especially social prejudice against people with disabilities. Athletes had to practice in simple conditions, even using rudimentary equipment, but it was their perseverance that helped them gradually build a position for Vietnamese sports for the disabled.

The ASEAN Para Games became the first important playground for Vietnam to gradually integrate into the region. Despite many initial limitations, the Vietnam Para Sports Delegation always left a strong impression thanks to its brave fighting spirit.

Since 2000, when Vietnam began participating in the Sydney Paralympics, disabled sports have had the opportunity to approach international standards. Vietnamese athletes have not only participated but also gradually achieved proud achievements.

Weightlifter Le Van Cong in 2016, at the Paralympics in Rio De Janeiro (Brazil)

In 2014, at the ASIAN Para Games Incheol (Korea), the Vietnamese delegation won 9 gold medals, 7 silver medals, 13 bronze medals, breaking the Asian record for Swimming. In 2016, at the Paralympics in Rio De Janeiro (Brazil), athlete Le Van Cong won 1 gold medal in Weightlifting, and set a record with a weight of 183k. This is Vietnam's first Paralympic gold medal, making history in the country's sports. In addition, Vietnam also won athlete Vo Thanh Tung with 1 silver medal in Swimming; athlete Dang Thi Linh Phuong with 1 bronze medal in Weightlifting; athlete Cao Ngoc Hung with 1 bronze medal in Athletics.

In 2018, at the ASIAN Para Games in Jakarta (Indonesia), the Vietnamese delegation won 8 gold medals, breaking 3 Games records. In 2021 and 2024 at the Tokyo Paralympics (Japan) and Paris Paralympics (France), Vietnamese athletes achieved good results.

In the regional arena, Vietnam has always been in the leading group at the ASEAN Para Games. At the 2022 ASEAN Para Games (Indonesia), the Vietnamese delegation won 65 gold medals, 62 silver medals and 56 bronze medals, ranking 3rd overall; At the 12th ASEAN Para Games in 2023 (Cambodia), the Vietnamese delegation won 66 gold medals, 58 silver medals and 77 bronze medals (a total of 201 medals), continuing to rank 3rd in the overall rankings. Notably, athlete Chau Hoang Tuyet Loan broke the Games record in the women's 55kg category with a lift of 105kg (the old record was 104kg).

Many swimmers such as Trinh Thi Bich Nhu, Vo Thanh Tung, and Vi Thi Hang continuously won "golden rain", affirming Vietnam's strength in the green race.

Over the past 30 years, VPC has not only managed and organized sports activities for people with disabilities, but also played a role as a bridge to bring the image of Vietnamese sports for people with disabilities to international friends.

Step by step, under the close direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Sports Administration, VPC has promoted the development of sports movements for people with disabilities in localities, creating opportunities for training and community integration for tens of thousands of people; Calling for cooperation from society: many businesses and social organizations have participated in supporting and sponsoring training and competition activities.

Every disabled athlete is a testament to the story of overcoming oneself.

At the same time, select, train and nurture talents through the national sports tournament system for people with disabilities, training courses for coaches and referees; promote equality and integration: sports become an important tool to change social awareness of people with disabilities, affirming that they are fully capable of contributing and achieving high results.

The success of Vietnamese disabled sports is not only measured by the number of medals, but also by stories of overcoming oneself, the most typical of which is weightlifter Le Van Cong. From a person with a physical disability, he became a top weightlifter in the world , won the Rio 2016 Paralympic gold medal, set a world record of 183.5kg (in 2017) and held the Asian championship many times.

Or like "swimmer" Vo Thanh Tung, who overcame his physical disability to bring home dozens of gold medals at the ASEAN Para Games and ASIAN Para Games, and participated in the Paralympics many times. Or runner Cao Ngoc Hung, an athlete who won gold medals at the ASIAN Para Games and participated in the Paralympics many times.

These examples not only give confidence to the disabled community but also strongly inspire the whole society about the will to live.

Entering the 30-year journey, VPC has identified a dual goal: to continue to improve the achievements of disabled sports and develop the movement widely. In particular, the priority will focus on: Improving the quality of training and education of young athletes; Improving facilities and equipment according to international standards; Strengthening international cooperation to learn advanced development models; Promoting socialization, attracting more social resources.

Over the past 30 years, the Vietnam Paralympic Committee has written a proud journey, affirming the extraordinary willpower and determination of the Vietnamese people. From the early difficult days to the resounding victories in the international arena, para-sport has truly become an inspirational symbol.

In the coming period, with the support of the State, social organizations and the community, Vietnamese disabled sports promise to continue to grow, not only for achievements, but also for a greater mission: spreading the spirit of overcoming difficulties, integrating and affirming human values.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/30-nam-thanh-lap-uy-ban-paralympic-viet-nam-hanh-trinh-vuot-kho-vuon-tam-the-gioi-20250918165744903.htm