Opening Ceremony of the Ho Chi Minh City Sports Festival

The program began with a spectacular parade of 170 delegations participating in the congress.

On the evening of April 19th, the opening ceremony of the first Ho Chi Minh City Sports Festival - 2026, themed "Rising High with the City," officially took place at Saigon Riverfront Park, An Khanh Ward. For the first time, the opening ceremony of a city-level sports festival was held outdoors, creating a fresh and engaging atmosphere that fostered community connection.

The program began with a spectacular parade of 170 participating delegations. Of these, 168 delegations came from wards, communes, and special zones within Ho Chi Minh City, along with two delegations from the City Command and the City Police. Thousands of people, divided into several groups, successively marched into the stage area to the sound of lively music, creating a vibrant picture of the sports and physical education movement in the city named after President Ho Chi Minh.

The parade, lasting approximately 20 minutes, was well-organized and uniform, showcasing the spirit of unity and enthusiasm of the participating forces. It was also one of the highlights, considered the largest ever at a local-level sports festival.

Sports teams from wards, communes, and special zones parade at the opening ceremony. Photo: NHU KHUE

Following this were solemn ceremonies including the procession of the national flag, the procession of the Games flag, and the torch relay. These ceremonies were performed by leaders of Ho Chi Minh City along with outstanding athletes and coaches, creating a solemn atmosphere and affirming the significance of this major sports festival.

The open space along the Saigon River contributed to creating a distinctive highlight for the ceremony. The lighting, sound, and modern staging transformed the park area into a grand stage where sports blended with urban life. The image of a dynamic, youthful, and culturally rich Ho Chi Minh City was showcased throughout the performances.

From the beginning of April 2026, the competition program within the framework of the congress has started with the table tennis competition (1-4). The first Ho Chi Minh City Sports Congress - 2026 includes 46 sports with a total of 852 events, and will conclude the competition on May 31.

Beyond its significance as a selection process for national-level competitions and a means to improve the training, organization, and management skills of the leadership team, the Ho Chi Minh City Sports Festival also serves as a rehearsal and test run for the organization of the 10th National Sports Games - 2026, which will take place later this year, also in Ho Chi Minh City.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/khai-mac-dai-hoi-the-duc-the-thao-tp-hcm-196260419210318585.htm