Late on September 15, the Vietnamese Sports Delegation officially embarked on its journey to Japan to participate in the highly anticipated 20th Asian Games, commonly known as Asiad 2026. The send-off ceremony, held at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, was marked by an atmosphere of pride, national dignity, and warm encouragement from sports officials, aviation representatives, and family members. As the nation sets its sights on continental glory, the departure of the country’s finest athletes signifies the culmination of years of rigorous preparation, tactical refinement, and unwavering dedication.
The Vietnamese contingent is traveling to Japan in multiple groups via various flight itineraries to align seamlessly with the respective competition schedules of each sport. The pioneer group, operating on flight VN348, departed at 0:15 in the early hours of September 16, carrying 100 members. This initial wave comprised 21 athletes from the national shooting team, 10 from the karate squad, 34 from the rowing team, 18 from the wushu team, and 17 administrative and support officials. According to the travel itinerary, the delegation is scheduled to arrive in Nagoya around 6:00 AM local time on the same day. Upon arrival, the athletes will immediately settle into the official athletes’ village, where they will establish their base of operations and begin final training regimens ahead of the opening events.
The vanguard of the delegation was led by Nguyen Hong Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Sports and Physical Training, who serves as the Head of the Vietnamese Sports Delegation for Asiad 2026. Speaking at the airport send-off, Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet, Director of the Department of Sports and Physical Training, expressed profound gratitude to the aviation sector and various functional agencies for their instrumental support and seamless coordination in facilitating the delegation’s transit to Japan.
Addressing the departing athletes and coaching staff, the Director General urged the entire delegation to prioritize their physical well-being, uphold the highest standards of collective solidarity, and strictly adhere to the laws and regulations of the host country. He emphasized that every athlete must compete with utmost resilience, fierce determination, and national pride to bring honor and glory back to the Fatherland. Furthermore, he reminded each member that they serve as cultural ambassadors representing a vibrant, hospitable, peaceful, and dynamic Vietnam on the international stage. He concluded with high hopes for the delegation to achieve unprecedented success and fulfill their assigned missions at the largest multi-sport gathering in Asia.
As the initial groups settle into their quarters in Japan, subsequent waves of Vietnamese athletes will continue to depart from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in the coming days, carefully timed to coincide with the opening of their respective sports disciplines. The final group, featuring competitors from the taekwondo and jujitsu national teams, is scheduled to make the journey on September 29, completing the arrival of the entire Vietnamese contingent on Japanese soil.
Background and Context of Asiad 2026
Asiad 2026, officially designated as the 20th Asian Games, is scheduled to take place across the Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya in Japan from September 19 to October 4. This prestigious continental event brings together thousands of elite athletes from across Asia to compete at the highest level of international sport. Japan, renowned for its meticulous organizational capabilities and advanced infrastructure, provides a world-class environment for athletes to showcase their talents.
The Vietnamese Sports Delegation traveling to the Aichi-Nagoya Games is a formidable force, comprising a total of 498 members. This includes the Head of the Delegation, a Deputy Head, 13 administrative officials, 6 medical staff members, and a robust roster of coaches and athletes. The nation’s representatives are set to compete across 33 sports and sub-disciplines, reflecting the broadening scope and increasing competitiveness of Vietnamese high-performance sports on the international stage.
Ambitious Goals and Medal Expectations
The primary objective for the Vietnamese Sports Delegation at Asiad 2026 is to surpass the achievements of previous editions by securing more than four gold medals. Expectations and hopes for gold are heavily placed on traditional powerhouse events where Vietnamese athletes have historically demonstrated excellence and international competitiveness. These key disciplines include sepak takraw, karatedo, shooting, track and field, gymnastics, rowing, mixed martial arts (MMA), and electronic sports.
The leadership and coaching staffs have spent the past several years implementing systematic training programs, sending athletes to international training camps, and participating in global competitions to accumulate ranking points and competitive experience. The focus has not only been on maintaining dominance in regional arenas such as the Southeast Asian Games but also on bridging the competitive gap at the Asian and global levels.
Reflecting on Past Performances
To contextualize the ambitions for Asiad 2026, sports analysts often look back at the historic milestones achieved by the Vietnamese delegation at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Despite fierce competition from continental powerhouses, the Vietnamese contingent delivered commendable performances, highlighted by three prestigious gold medals.
The standout golden moments in Hangzhou included a historic victory by shooter Pham Quang Huy, who clinched the gold medal in the men’s 10m air pistol event, marking a major milestone for Vietnamese shooting. Additionally, the women’s regu team in sepak takraw demonstrated tactical brilliance and unbreakable teamwork to capture a gold medal in the four-person event. The national karatedo team further enriched the gold medal tally by triumphing in the women’s kata team event, showcasing the precision and discipline deeply rooted in Vietnamese martial arts.
In addition to the three gold medals, the delegation secured 5 silver medals and 19 bronze medals in Hangzhou, validating the depth of talent across various disciplines. These results laid a solid foundation for the strategic planning that culminated in the selection and preparation of the current squad for Asiad 2026.
Strategic Preparation and Sports Science Integration
In the lead-up to the Nagoya Games, the Sports Authority of Vietnam has placed unprecedented emphasis on sports science, nutrition, and psychological conditioning. Modern training facilities have been utilized to monitor athlete fatigue, optimize recovery times, and prevent injuries. Specialized nutritionists have tailored dietary plans for athletes competing in weight-class sports and endurance events, ensuring peak physical condition upon arrival in Japan.
Furthermore, international experts and sparring partners have been integrated into local training camps to expose Vietnamese athletes to diverse tactical styles, particularly in combat sports such as wushu, karatedo, taekwondo, and jujitsu. Mental conditioning coaches have also been deployed to help athletes manage high-pressure environments, an essential component for success at multi-sport games where expectations from the home nation run high.
Broader Implications for Vietnamese Sports
The performance of the Vietnamese delegation at Asiad 2026 carries significant implications for the broader development of the nation’s sports ecosystem. Success on the continental stage serves as a powerful catalyst for inspiring grassroots participation, attracting corporate sponsorship, and securing continued government investment in athletic infrastructure.
Achievements in major disciplines like shooting, athletics, and rowing validate the shift toward a professionalized, targeted investment model. Rather than spreading resources thin across numerous disciplines, sports authorities have increasingly focused financial and technical resources on "key sports" with proven potential for continental and global success.
As the athletes don the red flag with the yellow star in Nagoya, millions of supporters back home will be watching closely. The journey that began with a warm, poignant send-off at Noi Bai International Airport is now entering its most critical phase. Armed with rigorous preparation, patriotic resolve, and the collective spirit of a nation, the Vietnamese Sports Delegation stands ready to write a new, glorious chapter in the history of national athletics.
