The Vietnamese Paralympic team departs to participate in the 13th ASEAN Para Games.

On December 16th, at the Ton Duc Thang Museum Hall (Ho Chi Minh City), under the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Sports Department, in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports and the Vietnam Paralympic Committee, solemnly organized the send-off ceremony for the Vietnamese Paralympic Team participating in the 13th Southeast Asian Paralympic Games (ASEAN Paragames 13).

Attending the send-off ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh; Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong; former Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Chairman of the Vietnam Paralympic Committee Huynh Vinh Ai, along with leaders of the Vietnam Department of Sports and Physical Education, leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, and more than 100 coaches and athletes of the Vietnamese Paralympic Team participating in the 13th ASEAN ParaGames.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh performs the ceremony of handing over the national flag to the Vietnamese Paralympic Team.

The 13th Southeast Asian Para Games will be held in Korat, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand, from January 15th to January 27th, 2026, with the participation of 11 Southeast Asian countries.

The Vietnamese Paralympic team participating in the 13th Southeast Asian Paralympic Games consists of 184 members, including 17 team officials, 27 coaches, and 140 athletes (including 2 navigators) competing in 11 sports out of a total of 19 sports at the Games: Athletics, Swimming, Weightlifting, Badminton, Table Tennis, Chess, Judo, Boccia, Archery, Tennis, and Fencing.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong, and other delegates attended the send-off ceremony.

Speaking at the send-off ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh emphasized that the Party and State always pay attention to people with disabilities and Vietnamese disabled sports through policies, leadership, and guidance aimed at creating all conditions to help people with disabilities fully and equally enjoy their civil rights, develop their full potential, and contribute to the development of the community and society.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Paralympic sports have become a source of spiritual support, fostering faith, resilience, and the will to overcome adversity for tens of thousands of people. On regional and international stages, generations of Vietnamese Paralympic athletes have affirmed their position through their determination and aspirations. The medals and records set are not only the result of individual efforts but also vivid evidence of the Vietnamese spirit.

"The 13th ASEAN Para Games is an opportunity for Vietnamese disabled athletes to compete, exchange knowledge, improve their performance, overcome their limitations, and integrate with the ASEAN international community. More importantly, the Vietnamese Paralympic Team will present to the international community an image of Vietnam and its people as a country of peace, friendship, and friendliness, yet resilient and with a strong will to succeed," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts and endeavors of the Vietnamese Paralympic Team.

On behalf of the Government, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh acknowledged, highly appreciated, and commended the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Paralympic Committee, relevant agencies and organizations, and the entire Vietnamese Paralympic Team participating in the 13th ASEAN Para Games for their thorough preparation in all aspects, contributing to creating the foundation for achieving the highest achievements at the 13th ASEAN Para Games.

Building on the achievements of Vietnamese Paralympic sports in recent years, the Deputy Prime Minister urged the members of the delegation to fulfill several tasks: strive to compete with a spirit of noble sportsmanship, tenacity, creativity, and honesty, surpassing themselves to achieve the highest possible results at the Games and bring glory to the nation.

Exemplary conduct, unity, overcoming difficulties, maintaining discipline, and dedicating all talent, spirit, willpower, and determination to best accomplish the assigned tasks and objectives. Respecting the customs and traditions and strictly adhering to the laws of the host country as well as the regulations of the Congress.

We should be sincere and friendly when interacting with other sports delegations in the region and with the people of Thailand. Each member of the delegation should project a positive image, acting as a cultural ambassador for our country to promote the beautiful cultural traditions and peaceful, friendly image of Vietnam within the ASEAN community.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh expressed his hope and belief that the Vietnamese Paralympic Team will demonstrate the highest level of responsibility, courage, and Vietnamese spirit, achieving the set goals, bringing joy to fans and glory to the nation; and continue to be a great source of encouragement and motivation for people with disabilities nationwide.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong presented a jersey of the Vietnamese Paralympic Team to Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh.

Responding to the directives of Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong stated that the athletes and coaches of the delegation will strive to improve their skills, enhance team spirit, maximize their abilities and responsibilities, and make the utmost effort and determination to surpass themselves for the sake of the national flag, in order to compete and bring glory to the Fatherland.

At the same time, the team will successfully fulfill the tasks assigned by the Party and the State, contributing to raising the profile of Vietnamese Paralympic sports and meeting the expectations of fans nationwide.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong delivered a speech at the ceremony.

According to Deputy Minister Hoang Dao Cuong, the ASEAN Para Games is an opportunity for Vietnam to expand cooperation in the field of physical education and sports for people with disabilities with countries in the region, while affirming the position of Vietnamese sports for people with disabilities in Southeast Asia. It is also an opportunity for Vietnamese athletes with disabilities to interact, learn, exchange experiences, and strengthen solidarity, demonstrating extraordinary determination and resilience to overcome their limitations, integrate, and contribute to the community.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Paralympic team participating in the 13th ASEAN Para Games, Ms. Le Thi Hoang Yen, Deputy Director of the Department of Physical Education and Sports of Vietnam and Head of the Vietnamese Paralympic Committee, reported on the preparations and stated that the teams have been carefully selected, systematically trained, and are ready to enter the Games taking place in Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand) from January 15 to 27, 2026. The Vietnamese delegation aims to win 40 to 50 gold medals, placing them among the top 4-5 countries in the region.

Weightlifter Le Van Cong, on behalf of the team, expressed their determination to win.

At the ceremony, weightlifter Le Van Cong - the 2016 Paralympic weightlifting champion, representing more than 140 athletes from the entire delegation, delivered a solemn oath before departure, affirming that he would strive to compete to the best of his ability, overcome all personal limits, and bring glory to the nation.

The athletes participating in the 13th ASEAN Para Games demonstrated their determination to win.

With thorough preparation and high determination, the Vietnamese Paralympic Team is expected to continue to shine, contributing to enhancing the image and position of Vietnamese Paralympic sports in the Southeast Asian regional arena.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/doan-the-thao-nguoi-khuyet-tat-viet-nam-xuat-quan-tham-gia-asean-para-games-13-20251216150941399.htm