79 years of Vietnamese sports: For the goal of "A strong people makes a prosperous country"

Vietnamese sports have brought happy, sublime moments to fans across the country.

Historical milestones

Going back in time, on January 30, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh, on behalf of the Provisional Coalition Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, issued Decree No. 14 establishing the Central Department of Physical Education and Sports in the Ministry of Youth, officially giving birth to the revolutionary Physical Education and Sports of Vietnam, with the mission of "researching methods and practicing physical education nationwide", aiming to "improve national health and improve the Vietnamese race".

More than 2 months later, on March 27, 1946, in the context of the country having just gained independence, President Ho Chi Minh wrote the article "Health and physical education", calling on all people to exercise - opening the sports movement in our country.

He advised: “To preserve democracy, build the country, and create a new life, health is needed for success in everything... A strong people will make the country prosperous. I hope that all of our people will try to exercise. I myself exercise every day.”

Uncle Ho's teachings are the guiding principle for the sports movement among the people and the goal that the Sports industry aims for and always strives to fulfill its mission well in the process of construction and growth.

On January 29, 1991, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers issued Decision No. 25/CT on taking March 27 every year as "Vietnam Sports Day".

During the 79 years of accompanying the country, with the ideology of "A strong people makes a prosperous country" of President Ho Chi Minh, along with the viewpoints and guidelines of the Party and the State, the country's sports and physical training have made new progress through each stage of development, in each field, always holding an important position in contributing to improving the health and quality of life of the people, building a healthy lifestyle and cultural environment; consolidating the great national unity bloc, contributing to the cause of protecting, building and developing the country; expanding the country's friendship and international cooperation.

In which, the mass sports movement has developed extensively, many grassroots sports activities have been organized enthusiastically throughout the country, attracting a large number of people to participate, many mass sports events have been organized on a large scale, such as cross-country running, off-road running, cycling, triathlon, swimming, yoga...

Along with that, simple forms of physical training that do not require much investment in fields and equipment such as running, walking, aerobics, badminton, chess, martial arts, mini soccer, volleyball... are developing strongly in many localities.

Many remarkable achievements

Through the implementation of the "Movement for the whole people to exercise following the example of great Uncle Ho" and the organization of sports activities, the mass sports movement has made clear progress, and the basic targets of mass sports have been basically completed.

Up to now, the rate of people participating in regular physical training has reached 37.5%, the number of sports families has reached 28.3%, more than 95% of schools nationwide have implemented formal physicaleducation programs, 75% of schools have extracurricular physical training activities, 100% of officers and soldiers in the armed forces regularly practice physical training...

In addition, the Party, the State, the Army and the Public Security have also focused on developing physical training and sports in the armed forces to meet the requirements of building a regular, elite, and gradually modern revolutionary armed force; promoting the role of the armed forces in developing physical training and sports for the people in each locality, especially in border areas, highlands, islands, and ethnic minority areas.

From the progress of the mass movement, high-performance sports in recent times have also made remarkable progress on almost all fronts. In the Southeast Asian regional arena, after 18 competitions, our achievements have continuously improved.

From the first steps of integration with the region, we have affirmed our leading position as a whole delegation at three Congresses in 2003, 2021, and 2023.

At the largest arenas of the continent and the world, the Asian Games and the Olympics, Vietnamese sports have also created glorious moments, making millions of hearts sing with joy in victory when: Hoang Xuan Vinh won the gold medal and silver medal in shooting at the 2016 Rio Olympics; millions of hearts burst with happiness when the Vietnamese football team won the AFF Cup, the U23 team won the runner-up position in the U23 Asian Cup, the women's football team won a ticket to the World Cup...

Despite facing numerous difficulties and challenges when infrastructure and investment funds, despite being given attention, are still limited, Vietnamese sports have written a song of courage, will, rise and steel spirit of the Vietnamese people in international arenas. From there, they have created heroic songs of national pride and self-respect.

Now, when the whole country is entering an era of strong national growth, when the country is gradually affirming its position, striving to become a powerful and prosperous nation, standing shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the five continents.

The new context will place high demands on the industry to not only fulfill its mission of improving people's health and fitness but also contribute to the country's modernization and deep integration.

To successfully complete that task, it certainly requires every cadre, civil servant, employee, worker and sports worker across the country to constantly study, improve their qualifications, practice political will, absorb the world's best, and take advantage of science and technology.

At the same time, promote the spirit of setting an example in practicing sports to improve health, worthy of becoming "beautiful flowers in the garden of good deeds", towards the common goal of building a strong, prosperous and happy country.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/79-nam-the-thao-viet-nam-vi-muc-tieu-dan-cuong-thi-quoc-thinh-20250326163215641.htm