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| Football tournament in Phu Loc Commune |
A binding thread
Present at the “Chan May - Lang Co Jogging 2025” race, we were surprised by the vibrant atmosphere of a commune-level event with more than 1,000 participants. The race route along Binh An and Canh Duong beaches was awash in colorful shirts, awakened by laughter and the sound of pounding footsteps. Youths, women, and children alike joined in the voluntary, enthusiastic sporting activity.
Many participants did not come to compete for prizes. They came to challenge themselves over distances of 5 -10 km, to feel the vitality in their bodies, or simply to experience a sense of belonging to an active community. Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly (Chan May Commune - Lang Co) shared: “I run every day. This time, I joined mainly to share the joy of exercising together, to meet and connect with more people, rather than to worry about winning or losing”.
For many years, the movement “All people exercise to follow the example of great Uncle Ho” has been maintained by localities in the former Phu Loc District, now, the communes of Hung Loc, Loc An, Phu Loc, Vinh Loc, and Chan May - Lang Co through flexible forms. These range from coastal jogging sessions, grassroots football, aerobics, wellness fitness to martial arts classes and folk-dance activities.
In Phu Loc Commune, An Vui Folk Dance Club is a vivid example. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Anh (61 years old) recounted that the club has maintained regular practice from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. every day for more than three years. Members span many age groups, from 45 to over 70. “We consider this our daily joy. After exercising, everyone feels healthier and happier, and sometimes we even take part in mass performances at local events. The activities are free, but we contribute funds to support one another during illness,” Ms. Thuy Anh shared.
In the southern communes of Hue City, traditional boat racing is the most eagerly anticipated “festival season” of the year. More than just a sport, boat racing is a cultural feature where villages and clans gather, cheer, and strengthen neighbourhood solidarity.
Mr. Nguyen Hinh, Director of the Public Service Center of Phu Loc Commune, said that the commune currently has five badminton courts and is preparing to open another one. Three artificial swimming pools are also operating effectively, helping children learn to swim and prevent drowning.
Mr. Hoang Trung Dung, Deputy Director in charge of the Public Service Center of Vinh Loc Commune, added that football alone has as many as 20 registered teams, while the newly emerging badminton movement has attracted up to 100 athletes. Badminton and billiards clubs have also been formed in the commune.
A desire for more and more investment
Although the grassroots physical training and sports movement has made notable progress, many localities still face considerable difficulties. Numerous villages and communes lack spacious playing fields; funding for grassroots sports activities remains unstable; and while many sports are developing rapidly, training conditions have yet to keep up.
Mr. Truong Cong Thuyet, Deputy Director in charge of the Public Service Center of Chan May - Lang Co Commune, expressed his concerns: “After the reorganization of commune-level administrative units, although there has been increased attention, facilities serving grassroots sports activities are still insufficient. Some communes have inherited infrastructure from former district centers, but many others still lack adequate gymnasiums and training grounds. This is a common challenge”.
Beyond material shortages, in some places the movement has expanded widely but not deeply. While the number of regular participants has increased, organization remains fragmented and lacks long-term orientation. These factors partly affect the development of grassroots sports, including the identification and nurturing of talented athletes toward high-performance sports.
Localities hope the city will continue to make synchronized investments in infrastructure such as multi-purpose gymnasiums, standard football fields, and community exercise spaces. These facilities would not only serve sports training needs but also function as cultural spaces - places for residents to meet, interact, and build lasting connections.