A vibrant school sports festival in President Ho Chi Minh's hometown.

(Baonghean) These days, the streets of Vinh City are adorned with banners, flags, and slogans welcoming nearly 3,000 athletes from 12 provinces and cities participating in the 8th National Phu Dong Sports Festival, Region III. The stands at all 11 competition venues are packed with spectators. In each match, athletes of all ages demonstrate their abilities, efforts, and determination.

The first days of competition witnessed dramatic and exciting matches in football, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, and sepak takraw. On the second day, the Aerobic Gymnastics competition concluded with 9 sets of medals awarded to the top-performing teams. Thanh Hoa led with 4 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals; Phu Yen had 3 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 1 bronze medal; Khanh Hoa had 2 gold medals, 5 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal; Quang Ngai had 6 bronze medals; and Da Nang had 1 silver medal and 6 bronze medals. In the table tennis team events for elementary and junior high school boys and girls, the final rankings were determined by the end of yesterday.

Football, the "king" of sports, always receives enthusiastic support from fans in Vinh City. Vinh Stadium and the provincial gymnasium are always packed with spectators. Beautiful plays and unexpected goals from teams from Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Tri, and other provinces create a lively atmosphere in the stands. Mr. Nguyen Tien Tai (70 years old), from Hamlet 12, Nghi Kim, who has followed almost all the elementary school football matches, said: "When the newspapers and television reported that the National Student Sports Festival was taking place in Vinh City, I cycled to the competition center, noted down the schedule of the matches, and haven't missed a single one. Although the children's skills aren't yet high or well-structured, their innocent, carefree, and honest playing style creates a 'buzz' for the fans. It's much more exciting and captivating than adult football."

Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Kim Chi presents medals in Aerobic gymnastics.

At the badminton courts of Phan Boi Chau and Huynh Thuc Khang specialized high schools, the athletes received enthusiastic support from a large number of students and teachers. Banners were displayed, and applause and cheers encouraged the players. "Cheering wholeheartedly, enthusiastically, and freely. Cheering for all the competing teams" was the motto of the students from Phan and Huynh schools. Not only did they cheer enthusiastically, but during breaks between sets, they also volunteered to be "caretakers" for the players, inquiring about their studies, sharing their homesickness, and encouraging them to perform well.

Friendly, hospitable, dedicated, and thoughtful are the general comments from most delegations during their stay in Vinh City. Mr. Huynh Quang Dau - Head of the Binh Dinh Athletes' Delegation said: "Our delegation participated in the Sports Festival with a fairly large contingent (nearly 300 athletes). Before going to Nghe An, we were contacted by members of the Organizing Committee of the Department of Education and Training to arrange convenient accommodation and meals. The delegation also received dedicated and thoughtful assistance from two volunteers. Not only did they guide us on the way and to the competition venues, but the volunteers also closely followed the delegation during the matches; took care of the young athletes; and guided the delegation when visiting scenic spots..." As for the Quang Nam women's football team, what touched the players and coaches the most was the resounding applause from the sidelines, which inspired them to perform better. "Going abroad to compete against the home team, we initially felt very inferior, but the home fans cheered wholeheartedly for the visiting team, creating a psychological balance that helped the players perform well. And the result was a 0-0 draw," said the coach of the Quang Nam team.

For athlete Nguyen Trong Nam from the Khanh Hoa delegation, "The most touching moment was on the morning of the competition, when I went to eat sticky rice. The owner of the stall asked about me, and knowing I was from Khanh Hoa and competing here, she 'prioritized' me with extra sticky rice, eggs, and pork sausage, along with the wish, 'Try your best to win the gold medal, son.'"

The athletes, whether experienced or competing for the first time, were all determined and hardworking, and couldn't hide their emotions whether they won or lost. In the table tennis semi-final on the afternoon of April 8th, after losing, athlete Van Khanh Linh (from Binh Dinh province) burst into tears on the court. Despite being comforted by her teammates and having the referee intervene, she couldn't stop crying. When asked why, it turned out she was partly sad about losing, but also afraid of "losing the Gold Medal" and thus missing out on the prize of "visiting Uncle Ho's hometown," as her coach had said before the match.

The National Sports Festival Region III, held in Nghe An this time, is an opportunity to encourage all segments of the population, especially young people, to practice physical exercise and sports following the example of President Ho Chi Minh, with the festival's theme being "Be healthy to conquer the peaks and acquire knowledge." During their time in Nghe An, the matches were intense, the competition fierce for rankings and medals, but the enthusiasm of the volunteers, the thoughtful care of the organizing committee members, and especially the hospitality and friendliness of the people of President Ho Chi Minh's hometown warmed the hearts of the athletes "carrying the bell to ring in a foreign land."

Results of the third day of competition:

Sepak Takraw (foot volleyball):

- In the girls' singles sepak takraw event for junior high school students, athlete Dinh Thi Linh Thao from Khanh Hoa team ranked first; Ngo Thi My Duyen from Da Nang team ranked second; and Le Thanh Lam from Thanh Hoa team and Ngo Thi Hang Nga from Quang Tri team ranked third.

- In the boys' singles category, junior high school age group, athlete Tran Quang Tuan from Da Nang team ranked first, Nguyen Viet Ha from Thua Thien Hue team ranked second, Le Anh Tai from Khanh Hoa team and Nguyen Van Thanh from Quang Tri team ranked third.

- In the girls' singles category for primary school age group, Tran Dang Thanh Thao from Khanh Hoa came first, Vo Thi Lanh from Thua Thien Hue came second, Nguyen Hong Nhung from Phu Yen and Ngo Thi Thanh Hang from Thua Thien Hue came third.

- In the boys' singles category for elementary school age group, Nguyen Duc Minh Quan from Da Nang team came first, Nguyen Cong Danh from Khanh Hoa team came second, Hoang Huong Duong from Thanh Hoa team and Nguyen Khanh Duy from Quang Tri team finished third.

Badminton:

In the boys' team event for junior high school, Quang Ngai won first place, Quang Tri won second place, and Da Nang and Binh Dinh shared third place. In the girls' team event for junior high school, Da Nang won first place, Thanh Hoa won second place, and Khanh Hoa and Thua Thien Hue shared third place.

Table tennis:



The final match of the girls' table tennis tournament for junior high school students.

- Boys' team event (elementary school age): Gold medal: Da Nang, Silver medal: Thanh Hoa, Bronze medal: Nghe An and Khanh Hoa; Girls' team event (elementary school age): First place: Khanh Hoa, Second place: Da Nang, Third place: Nghe An and Binh Dinh; Boys' team event (junior high school age): Gold medal: Da Nang, Silver medal: Thanh Hoa, Bronze medal: Nghe An and Khanh Hoa; Girls' team event (junior high school age): Gold medal: Binh Dinh, Silver medal: Da Nang, Bronze medal: Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.