Morning of January 4: 31st National Cross-Country Mountain-Climbing Tournament “Conquering the Peak of Ba Ra” kicks off

The 31st National Cross-Country Mountain-Climbing Tournament “Conquering Ba Ra Peak” in 2026 is a large-scale traditional sporting event held to celebrate the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 – 2026) and the 51st anniversary of the Liberation of Phuoc Long (January 6, 1975 – 2026). The event is organized by Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio–Television, in coordination with the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People’s Committees of Phuoc Long Ward and Phuoc Binh Ward. It will officially take place on the morning of January 4, 2026, in Phuoc Long Ward.

This race not only promotes the image of the locality through cultural and sporting activities, but also serves to raise public awareness about the importance of physical training in improving health, physical fitness, and quality of life, while continuing to promote the campaign “All people exercise their bodies following Uncle Ho's example”.

Through the event, the Organizing Committee aims to introduce local tourism routes and tours, as well as specialty products, thereby contributing to the promotion of the image of Phuoc Long – Dong Nai to friends across the region. This site is a safe destination with beautiful natural scenery, a fresh and healthy climate, and a land of gentle, sincere, warm-hearted, and hospitable people. It is also an area rich in cultural diversity, beliefs, and customs, with many distinctive local products such as cashew nuts, pepper, and Ba Dao durian.

As of now, nine provinces, cities, and units have registered to compete in the elite category, including the Army Team (Border Guard Sports Delegation), Lam Dong, Lai Chau, Ninh Binh, Gia Lai, Quang Ngai, Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, and the host, Dong Nai. A total of 120 athletes have registered, including 77 men and 43 women. Among them are several familiar names in Vietnamese athletics, such as Trinh Quoc Luong (Army Team), Pham Thi Hong Le (Gia Lai), and Hoang Nguyen Thanh and Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa (Dong Nai). The host team, Dong Nai, has the most significant number of registered athletes with 24, while Tay Ninh has the fewest, with just three.

The nationwide mass participation category has attracted more than 960 male and female runners, competing in two distances: 6.1 km and 19 km. At the provincial level, 442 athletes will compete in the following events: men’s 6 km, women’s 5.4 km, boys’ youth 4.8 km, and girls’ youth 4 km. Additionally, more than 1,000 runners will participate in the companion run, held in conjunction with the main race.

By P.V – Translated by Trieu Ngan, Minho