A foundation for a sports ecosystem integrated with the economy

Large crowds of fans from other provinces and cities gathered to attend the 7-a-side Premier Football Tournament at Hue Sports Festival 2025

With the participation of tens of thousands of athletes, coaches, and spectators, Hue Sports Festival 2025 became a vibrant celebration of joy, aspirations, and sportsmanship. Featuring activities suitable for all ages and genders and aligned with current trends such as yoga, pickleball, hip-hop, football, basketball, karate-do, and balance bike racing, the festival portrayed an image of Hue that is serene yet youthful, dynamic, and welcoming, leaving a strong impression on visitors and the community alike.

During the days of Hue Sports Festival 2025, one of the event’s highlights was the strong sense of community, with participation from agencies, organizations, enterprises, clubs, and a large number of local residents. Some appeared for the first time, such as yoga, karate-do, pickleball, and Hip-hop Showcase, … still demonstrated their scale and appeal by drawing in tens of thousands of participants and supporters.

In 2025, Hue was honored to host the National Tourism Year. Hue Sports Festival 2025 contributed to the city attracting over 700,000 visitors in July alone (an increase of more than 80% compared to the same period in 2024), according to statistics from the Department of Tourism.

Yoga - one of the most popular activities at Hue Sports Festival 2025

Launched in 2023, Hue Sports Festival is an initiative of the city’s Department of Culture and Sports in response to and for effective implementation of the campaign “All people do physical exercise following the example of great Uncle Ho”. Organized under a socialization model, the State plays a facilitating role in creating favorable conditions and providing support for organization, health services, safety, and communication. This approach forms an efficient, cost-effective, and community-centered sports management model. 

After three editions, the festival has proven to be a large-scale grassroots sports event, significantly contributing to promoting the cultural, sports, and tourism potential of the region. It also stands as a model example of sports socialization efforts in Hue in recent years. 

According to Mr. Phan Thanh Hải, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports, Hue is rising alongside the country in a new era of development, not only as a heritage city but also striving toward the goal of becoming a “worth-living city” with a healthy, dynamic, and creative community. 

Hue Sports Festival in general and Hue Sports Festival 2025 in particular serve as the foundation for developing a sports ecosystem tied to the economy, ranging from professional and semi-professional tournaments, “Made in Hue” sports products, to sports startup models that are expanding, connecting widely, and turning Hue into a destination for national, regional, and international sports events, promoting Hue’s image, people, and identity. 

At Hue Sports Festival, beyond the growing influence, perhaps the most important concern for authorities, businesses, and residents alike is sustainability in format, scale, quality, and annual consistency. After three editions, what’s encouraging is the evident enthusiasm from participating clubs and businesses. 

With such dedication, if further support is provided in organizing efforts and sponsorship mobilization, there is strong reason to believe that Hue Sports Festival can not only establish a solid foundation for sustainable development and become a grand, annual grassroots sports celebration with positive cultural and tourism impacts, but also soon realize its broader vision: building a sports ecosystem integrated with the economy in Hue.