Practice in Vietnam
In Vietnam, sports have made significant contributions to economic and social development. Major sports events, such as marathons, have attracted thousands of participants and millions of visitors. These events not only help promote the local image but also contribute to economic development by increasing revenue for service sectors such as hotels, restaurants, and tourism.
Economic growth through sports
Sports have become an important economic sector in Vietnam. Sports events not only generate revenue for local areas but also create thousands of jobs for the people. Every year, dozens of sports events are organized, bringing billions of dong in profits to localities. Investors are also increasingly focusing on sponsoring sports events, thereby creating many new business opportunities.
Creating local brands
Sports events also help build the brand for tourist destinations. When a locality hosts a major sporting event, it not only attracts the attention of the local population but also of the media and international tourists. This helps promote the local image and attract investment in the tourism sector. For example, the marathons in Sa Pa and Mộc Châu have helped these areas stand out on the tourism map, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists.
In summary, sports play a very important role in diplomacy and social development. Through sports, nations can build peaceful and cooperative relationships, while communities can bond and improve their health. In Viet Nam, sports are not only a form of entertainment but also a powerful tool for economic and social development. With the increase of major sports events and government interest, sports will undoubtedly continue to contribute to the country's development.
Foreign affairs and international cooperation play a crucial role in promoting the development of Vietnamese sports, bringing many practical benefits in areas such as improving competitive performance, learning from experiences, promoting the country's image, and strengthening international relations. Some specific aspects of this contribution include:
Exchange of experiences and learning techniques
Cooperating with countries that have developed sports systems helps Viet Nam access advanced techniques, modern strategies, and scientific training programs. Through training courses, international workshops, and cultural sports exchanges, athletes, coaches, and sports managers have the opportunity to enhance their professional skills.
Opportunities to participate in international tournaments
Participating in regional and international tournaments such as the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the Olympic Games not only helps athletes gain experience but also accumulate valuable insights. International tournaments are where the position of Vietnamese sports is affirmed on the international stage, while also motivating athletes to reach higher levels.
Attracting international investment and resources
Effective foreign relations help attract foreign investment sources, including financial sponsorship, modern equipment, and support in building sports infrastructure. International cooperation programs help bring foreign sports experts to Viet Nam and vice versa, expanding the multidimensional cooperation network.
Promoting the image of the country
Sports are not only a competitive field but also a means of promoting Vietnamese culture, people, and country to international friends. Major international sports events held in Viet Nam, such as the Asian Indoor Games in 2009, the Asian Beach Games in 2016, and the 31st SEA Games in 2021, are opportunities to build the image of a dynamic, developed, and friendly country.
Strengthening and consolidating international relations
Sports play a role as a diplomatic bridge, contributing to the strengthening of friendship between Viet Nam and other countries.
International sports exchange activities, especially in multilateral sports events, promote mutual understanding and long-term cooperation.
Developing community and professional sports
By learning from sports development models of advanced countries, Viet Nam can improve the management and development of sports in school and community, and professional sports.
Overall, foreign affairs and international cooperation are important strategies that help Viet Nam not only improve sports achievements but also contribute to the comprehensive development of society, economy, and diplomacy.
Enhancing the role and status of Vietnamese sports within the ASEAN
In recent times, the ASEAN socio-cultural community has focused heavily on sports activities, cultural connections, and education, through which the common values and identity of the region have been deeply conveyed to the ASEAN people, contributing to enhanced awareness and mutual understanding within the ASEAN community. Viet Nam has always made the most positive contributions to the development of a prosperous ASEAN through regional and international cooperation and integration activities, gradually rising to play a leading role in the Comumunity's issues. In 2011, with Malaysia's initiative, the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS) and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports (SOMS) were held for the first time in Indonesia, agreeing that AMMS would meet every two years and SOMS annually. At the AMMS and SOMS sessions, the Meeting also discussed several topics such as: the development of professional sports and sports tourism as an economic sector; gender equality in sports; the preservation and promotion of traditional sports; moving towards the establishment of the ASEAN Sports Fund.This event is not only a place for countries to share experiences but also a bridge to promote cooperation and enhance the status of sports in the region. In 2023, the 14th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports (SOMS-14) took place in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from August 28 to September 1, 2023. At the closing ceremony, in an impressive atmosphere filled with the spirit of ASEAN solidarity, Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, solemnly organized the handover ceremony of the ASEAN Sports Ministers' Meeting chairmanship to Viet Nam. This is also an opportunity for Viet Nam to propose additional initiatives, thereby demonstrating its role as the host country and enhancing Vietnam's position on the international stage, contributing to the promotion of international cooperation activities in the field of sports.
In the period 2021-2025, the ASEAN sports action work plan includes:
- Research project to promote and preserve traditional games and sports: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies (Cambodia)
- Feasibility study on the establishment of a High-Performance Sports Center (Malaysia)
- The first session of the Technical Working Group (1st TWG FWC Meeting) preparing for the joint bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 by ASEAN (Thailand)
- ASEAN Physical Fitness Index (APFI) (Thailand)
- Integrating sports with youth crime prevention and building resilience in society (Thailand): - Thailand School Sports Festival (Thailand)
- ASEAN School Games (Viet Nam)
- ASEAN Sports Zone (ASEAN Secretariat) - ASEAN-China, Exchange and revival of traditional games and sports as an intangible cultural heritage (ASEAN Secretariat)
- ASEAN Football for Sustainable Development Goals (Football4SDGs)
- Activate the ASEAN Declaration on leveraging the role of sports in building the ASEAN Community and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (ASEAN Secretariat)
With the current top priority focused on successfully building a strong, united, and cohesive ASEAN Community, Viet Nam is committed to closely coordinating with member countries and the ASEAN Secretariat in the process of implementing cooperative activities aimed at enhancing ASEAN's competitiveness and promoting the strengthening and development of the regional sports sector. In addition, organizing grassroots sports activities not only contributes to improving public health but also serves as a wonderful bridge to enhance solidarity and cultural exchange among ASEAN countries.
Viet Nam is an active and highly esteemed member of the ASEAN, and ASEAN cooperation in sports is one of the most important areas of collaboration within the Cultural-Social Community pillar.
In the process of formation and development, the activities of cooperation, exchange, and sports competitions within the ASEAN not only aim to enhance health and human stature but also significantly contribute to blurring the differences in religion and ethnicity. Sports transcend all limits of age and gender, gradually bringing about equality in all fields and building an increasingly united, developed, and sustainable ASEAN community.
With the role of host country for the 16th ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOMS 16), especially as the Chair of the 8th SEAN Ministers' Meeting on Sports (AMMS 8), Viet Nam will certainly continue to demonstrate its ability to coordinate and lead so that all member countries can seize opportunities, harness their internal strengths, and overcome all barriers and challenges.This is also a great opportunity for the position and prestige of Vietnamese sports to increasingly grow on the international stage.
By Hoang Yen- Translated by Huyen Trang