HCM CITY — The 10th National Sports Games will take place from November 14 to December 12, with HCM City serving as the main host an

d a number of other localities sharing responsibility for staging events.

The Games will bring together 36 sporting delegations representing 34 provinces and cities, along with the Army and Police sport delegations. Around 16,000 officials, coaches and athletes, as well as 2,000 referees, are expected to take part.

The programme comprises of 48 sports, 63 disciplines and 973 events, with approximately 200,000 delegates, tourists and spectators expected throughout the Games.

HCM City will host 44 of the 48 sports, while the remaining events will be held in Hà Nội, Đồng Nai, Đồng Tháp, Hải Phòng and Khánh Hòa.

At a press conference on November 12, organisers provided updates on preparations, competition venues, technical arrangements and supporting services, while seeking closer coordination with local authorities and media agencies in covering the country's largest national sporting event.

Nguyễn Hồng Minh, deputy director of the Việt Nam Sports Administration and head of the Games' Technical and Professional Sub-committee, said the 10th edition was taking place amid significant changes following the restructuring of administrative units and the introduction of a two-tier local government model.

He said the Games would serve not only as a major sporting competition but also as an opportunity to reassess the strengths and development potential of local and sector-based sports systems.

The most significant change, he said, was the emphasis on improving quality and effectiveness rather than simply expanding the scale of competition.

The organisers aim to shift the focus from medal counts towards athletes' standards, performance levels and international competitiveness, alongside more targeted investment with clear objectives and road maps.

The results will provide an important basis for restructuring athlete training systems and adjusting investment plans for 2027–30, particularly in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2030 Asian Games.

The Games will also prioritise professionalism, modern facilities, safety, efficiency and fairness, with transparency and integrity identified as fundamental principles to ensure that sporting results genuinely reflect athletes' abilities.

The opening ceremony will take place on November 21 at Saigon Riverside Park, while the closing ceremony is scheduled for December 12 at the Phú Thọ Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Centre in HCM City.

One of the highlights of the opening ceremony will be a torch relay on the Saigon River, combining traditional sporting rituals with modern water and aerial performances.

Scheduled for around 8.20pm on November 21, the relay will involve 21 athletes carrying the Games' flame from the Nhà Rồng Wharf area across the river to the opening ceremony grandstand at Saigon Riverside Park in An Khánh Ward.

More than 100 athletes are expected to take part in performances and escort activities, featuring sailing boats, jet skis, flyboards, paragliders and specialised yachts.

The organisers said the programme would make use of the city's riverside setting to create a distinctive highlight for the national sporting festival.

Speaking at the press conference, Nguyễn Ngọc Hồi, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Culture and Sports and head of the Games' Information and Communications Sub-committee, said hosting the Games was both an honour and an opportunity for the city to contribute to the development of high-performance sports nationwide.

He described the event as a gathering of outstanding athletes from across the country, where sporting talent, determination and the spirit of fair competition would be celebrated.

Hồi also called on media agencies to provide timely and objective coverage, going beyond competition results to highlight the stories of athletes, coaches and the efforts behind their achievements.

Nguyễn Nam Nhân, deputy director of the department, affirmed the city's commitment to mobilising resources and working closely with relevant agencies to ensure the Games were held safely, professionally and successfully.

After a 20-year interval, HCM City has again taken on the main hosting role, with the Games expected to promote the development of professional sports and strengthen Việt Nam's competitiveness at regional and international levels. — VNS