In an open atmosphere, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration Nguyen Hong Minh and representatives from France discussed a strategic vision aimed at leveraging advanced European sports science knowledge to promote the aspirations and potential of Vietnamese athletes.
Deputy Director Nguyen Hong Minh, at the working session held on the morning of January 13th.
Representing the INSEP, Mr. Arnault Pannier, Education and Sports Cooperation Attaché of the French Embassy, expressed his pleasure at the full presence of representatives from key Vietnamese sports disciplines. This participation clearly demonstrates the serious attitude and high regard that the Vietnamese sports sector has for INSEP's capabilities. Known as a "temple" of high-performance sports in Europe, INSEP plays a pivotal role in training and preparing athletes for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. With its extensive experience and deep professional knowledge, the collaboration of this research institute is expected to help Vietnamese sports overcome bottlenecks in training methods and performance management.
In his passionate presentation, Mr. Bâbak Amir-Tahmasseb, Director of International Relations at INSEP, outlined a comprehensive picture of the modern operating model the organization employs. INSEP is not just a training facility, but a 28-hectare, holistic ecosystem where human development is paramount. Half of the institute's area is dedicated to essential needs such as food, accommodation, and specialized medical care, while the other half is entirely focused on high-tech training infrastructure.
Mr. Bâbak Amir-Tahmasseb, Director of International Relations at INSEP, shared insights into the organization's structure
With a staff of over 300 employees and nearly 400 experts stationed at centers across France, the institute receives and trains approximately 800 of the most elite athletes each year, ensuring that all their physical and mental needs are met promptly through close listening to the voices of sports federations.
What makes INSEP an ideal partner for Vietnam is its philosophy of combining passion and data science. French experts emphasize that the journey from the start of training to achieving glory typically takes 10 to 12 years, requiring unwavering patience and burning passion.
To support this arduous process, INSEP has pioneered personalized training, conducting in-depth research into the biological cycles of female athletes and applying algorithms to predict performance. Currently, INSEP is deploying a massive digital data repository, standardizing training processes throughout France, and creating a foundation for the application of artificial intelligence. These technologies help coaches and athletes choose the most suitable sports, optimizing their full potential.
INSEP accompanies and contributes to the development of Vietnamese sports.
Deputy Director Nguyen Hong Minh expressed his gratitude to Mr. Babak Amir-Tahmasseb for his valuable insights and affirmed that INSEP is a crucial partner in Vietnam's journey to reach the international stage. The effectiveness of this cooperation has been proven, as the training of the athletics and fencing teams at INSEP in 2025 yielded positive results at the 33rd SEA Games. These initial successes are the impetus for the Vietnam Sports Administration to expect cooperation in other strong sports such as shooting, rowing, cycling, and judo. These are all sports that require significant investment in technology and sports science, areas where France holds a leading position.
At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed on a detailed cooperation plan for the next phase. With 100% of the budget dedicated to athletes and a support model based on four main pillars including physical optimization, work-life balance, health, and education, INSEP is committed to providing the best support for Vietnamese sports. The achievements of Vietnamese athletes in the future will undoubtedly be even more significant with the support from INSEP's world-leading technology and management expertise.
Ha Phuong