Thousands of sports fans crowded the perimeter of Hoan Kiem Lake on October 10 and the morning of October 11, turning open-air public spaces into a massive street-level arena for pickleball, golf, wushu, and traditional martial arts. According to Vietnam.vn, the two-day festival officially launched the national physical training movement anchored in a simple mandate: “Each citizen chooses at least one suitable sport to practice regularly.”
Elite competitors traded high-stakes pressure for public courts and squares, stepping directly into the crowds at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square. Wushu standouts Dinh Van Tam and Duong Thuy Vi arrived to interact with attendees of all ages, fresh from the 20th Asian Games where Duong Thuy Vi claimed a bronze medal and Dinh Van Tam captured silver.
Hoan Kiem Lake Outdoor Sports Festival
Temporary courts, boards, and demonstration stations filled the public spaces surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake. Participants rotated freely through pickleball, badminton, table tennis, sepak takraw, kickball, chess, Chinese chess, stick pushing, tug of war, golf, 3×3 basketball, roller skating, and walking. Meanwhile, dedicated martial arts stations showcased vovinam, judo, wushu, taekwondo, traditional Vietnamese disciplines, and nunchaku displays.
For the elite athletes, the direct engagement offered a profound shift from their usual training regimens. Duong Thuy Vi described public support as a vital spiritual reward following years of career perseverance, stating that fan encouragement recognizes her ongoing efforts and provides motivation to keep pushing forward. Dinh Van Tam noted that face-to-face conversations in the lake district helped reveal the deep expectations and affection supporters hold for national team members.
Table Tennis Rallies With Elite Players
Table tennis tables drew some of the heaviest crowds as national team members stepped up to play amateur opponents. Hanoi table tennis player Nguyen Anh Tu noted that direct racket interaction offers a dynamic alternative to screen viewing. He was joined by former player Dinh Quang Linh alongside national competitors Doan Ba Tuan Anh and Tran Manh Cuong for rallies with local enthusiasts.
Organizers arranged similar interactive stations across the chess and martial arts zones.
Chess Board Encounters and Mass Participation
Intellectual board games drew intense focus as chess areas paired recreational players with prominent athletes. Attendee Le Thanh Son stated that the involvement of well-known competitors elevates interest in the sport and inspires new participants as they engaged in matches requiring critical thinking and concentration in close proximity to elite stars.
Beyond the competition, attendees grappled with the realities of personal wellness. Bui Thanh An, a resident of Ngoc Ha ward, attended the program and observed that maintaining daily exercise habits remains challenging for the public. He noted that direct athlete interactions help bridge the gap between competitors and fans while driving community exercise motivation. Representatives from the Vietnam Sports Hospital also contributed health perspectives on matching exercise intensity to personal physical condition.
Worth a look
