Ho Chi Minh City aims to lead the country in sports.

VHO - The merger of Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, and Ho Chi Minh City into a new administrative unit has opened up great opportunities for the comprehensive development of culture, sports, and tourism.

In this context, Ho Chi Minh City's sports sector has set a bold yet achievable goal: to rise to the top position nationwide.

From megacity status to national sports center

Dr. Cao Van Chong, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the city's sports sector aims to lead the country.

According to Dr. Cao Van Chong, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, the restructuring of administrative boundaries is not only about management but also brings synergistic strength to the city's sports. "Before the merger, Ho Chi Minh City consistently ranked second in the National Sports Games. Now, with the added strength from the sports foundations of two provinces with strong traditions like Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, we have every reason to aim for the top spot," Dr. Cao Van Chong stated.

With a population of over 14 million people, the new Ho Chi Minh City is not only the largest megacity in the country but also the nucleus of the Southern key economic region.

Rapid industrialization and urbanization, along with a synchronized transportation infrastructure and a favorable investment environment, have transformed this area into a strategic destination for cultural, sports, and tourism activities.

The provincial-level planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 – approved by the Prime Minister – identifies Ho Chi Minh City as a regional and international development center in the fields of culture, sports, and tourism. Dr. Cao Van Chong believes this is an important foundation for the new Ho Chi Minh City to assert its leading position.

“We believe that the new Ho Chi Minh City will continue to be an attractive destination for investors, attracting a large number of people from both within and outside the country to live, study, and work there. The diverse community with rich cultural identities will create an ideal environment for the comprehensive development of sports,” he shared.

Regional synergy – Towards a modern sports ecosystem

One of the key prerequisites for achieving the leading position is the selective inheritance and integration of effective achievements and policies from the three previous localities. Among them, Binh Duong is considered a shining example with its well-structured strategy for the development of physical education and sports.

The new Ho Chi Minh City sports sector will strengthen regional linkages for development.

The Binh Duong sports sector has proactively coordinated with relevant units to effectively implement the Sports Development Plan until 2025, with a vision to 2030. In addition, it is finalizing the integrated provincial planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, highlighting the Cultural and Sports Complex – a strategic project aimed at ensuring modern facilities to serve national and regional-level sports activities.

Focusing on decisive leadership, improving the quality of human resources in sports and physical education, and proactively innovating development thinking are guiding principles for many localities, and now the general direction of the new Ho Chi Minh City. “We need to form a regional sports ecosystem with a multi-centered structure, operating smoothly according to economic logic and professional thinking. Sports and physical education cannot stand outside this development flow,” emphasized Dr. Cao Van Chong.

The city's sports sector also aims to lead the country not only in high-performance sports, but also in mass sports, school sports, and professional sports. Ho Chi Minh City has the necessary conditions and internal resources to develop all aspects evenly, thanks to its large population, high demand for physical activity, and a system of cultural and sports facilities that are gradually being improved and expanded.

With existing sports centers being re-planned and upgraded with modern facilities and technology, the city will gradually become a hub for discovering and nurturing young sports talents, while also improving the quality of grassroots sports movements.

Dr. Cao Van Chong expressed his hope: “With its potential, foundation, and well-structured strategy, Ho Chi Minh City's sports sector will continue to advance, aiming for the number one position in the Vietnamese sports system – not only through medals but also through the spread and sustainability of a modern, comprehensive, and humane sports system.”

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/tphcm-dat-muc-tieu-dan-dau-the-thao-ca-nuoc-149859.html