Ho Chi Minh City to Mobilize 5,000 Participants for “Choose a Sport” Campaign on October 10

Ho Chi Minh City will mobilize approximately 5,000 participants for the upcoming national launch ceremony promoting regular physical activity among citizens, according to municipal sports officials.

Nguyen Nam Nhan, deputy director of the department, announced the deployment plans during a recent coordination meeting with local departments and agencies.

Municipal Deployment and Schedule for October 10

The local launch aligns with a broader nationwide campaign scheduled for the morning of October 10. In Hanoi, roughly 10,000 to 12,000 participants are expected to gather around the Hoan Kiem Lake area for the primary national event.

Ho Chi Minh City’s program on October 10 will open with a live connection to the central government running from 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. local time. A brief ceremony will follow, featuring a collective fitness performance, a unity walk, and interactive sports guidance. Municipal organizers plan to keep formal speeches brief to maximize hands-on athletic participation.

The participant pool in Ho Chi Minh City draws from students, athletes, civil servants, armed forces personnel, various federations, associations, clubs, and members of the general public. Municipal planners are coordinating security, medical services, traffic control, and logistics across the host venues.

Residents Select Sports Activities at October Activity Zones

The initiative emphasizes personalized athletic choices rather than mandatory routines, encouraging residents to select activities that match their physical condition and personal preferences. Across October 10 and 11, activity zones will host competitions, health consultations, and instructional clinics led by coaches, referees, and sports experts.

The program spans a wide array of disciplines, ranging from mainstream sports to emerging recreational activities. Featured sports include pickleball, basketball, sepak takraw, badminton, shuttlecock kicking, table tennis, football, volleyball, Vovinam, yoga, martial arts, Taekwondo, judo, traditional martial arts, chess, Chinese chess, tug of war, and push stick.

Integration with National Defense and Physical Training Week

Local sports authorities have recommended pairing the launch ceremony with activities under the "Healthy Building and Defending the Fatherland" week to extend public engagement.