Thousands of residents flooded open-air sports courts surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi on the mornings of October 10 and 11, trying out pickleball, badminton, table tennis, sepak takraw, shuttlecock kicking, chess, Chinese chess, push stick, tug-of-war, golf, three-on-three basketball, roller skating, and walking, as reported by Vietnam.vn.
The outdoor sports festival coincided with the launch of a national physical training campaign built around the theme “Every citizen should choose at least one suitable sport for themselves and practice it regularly.” The opening events transformed the downtown district into an active recreation zone where spectators could test equipment, watch traditional martial arts exhibitions, and interact directly with elite competitors.
Wushu Champions Turn Out at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square
At Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square on October 10, national wushu figures Dinh Van Tam and Duong Thuy Vi drew crowds by stepping away from competition routines to chat, pose for photographs, and join drills with fans of all ages. Duong Thuy Vi, a wushu athlete who recently claimed a bronze medal at the 20th Asian Games, told reporters that public encouragement provides vital emotional backing after years of rigorous training. Dinh Van Tam, who secured a silver medal at the same Asian Games, noted that direct engagement with the public around Hoan Kiem Lake offers athletes a clearer view of community expectations and support.
Organizers positioned the athletes not merely as distant competitors on television screens or stadium stages, but as accessible figures within everyday community life. For participants, these brief exchanges bridged the gap between elite performance and grassroots recreation, allowing fans to understand the human side of competitive sports.
Table Tennis Tables Draw Top Players and Amateurs Together
In the table tennis interaction zones, Vietnam’s top players squared off against amateur enthusiasts in open matches. Hanoi table tennis player Nguyen Anh Tu noted that the public setup creates a rare opening for everyday fans to experience high-level play beyond watching through a screen. National competitors including Dinh Quang Linh, Doan Ba Tuan Anh, and Tran Manh Cuong participated in rallies and informal coaching sessions with local residents.
Nguyen Anh Tuan, a resident of Tay Ho ward, said he rarely gets a chance to hit a ball with top-tier athletes. The direct play session provided a memorable experience that left him motivated to pursue the sport more regularly. Sports coordinators emphasized that even a brief interaction with a standard paddle or a casual rally can spark a new physical training habit among beginners.
Chess Boards and Traditional Martial Arts Expand the Festival Reach
The friendly atmosphere extended across multiple disciplines, including chess and traditional martial arts performances. Chess player Pham Le Thanh Son remarked that the festival environment helps popularize intellectual sports by placing grandmasters and enthusiasts at the same tables. Participants tested their focus and tactical thinking against experienced competitors in compact tournament spaces.
Traditional martial arts exhibitions featured demonstrations of Vovinam, judo, wushu, and taekwondo, alongside weapon displays like nunchaku routines.
Turning Festival Energy into Daily Exercise Habits
While the festival generated high enthusiasm, maintaining a long-term exercise routine remains a challenge for many participants. Bui Thanh Anh, a resident of Ngoc Ha ward, pointed out that while meeting prominent athletes inspires people to start training, the real test lies in sustaining the habit over time. Local sports organizers noted that translating temporary event excitement into daily action requires structured access to community clubs, proper training facilities, and scheduled neighborhood sports programs.
For elite athletes, the weekend events offered a tangible reminder of their social impact beyond medal counts. By encouraging the public to take up sports, competitors found practical ways to give back to the community while helping build a healthier society ahead of the winter training cycle.
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