National Cross-Country Mountain-Climbing Tournament “Conquering Ba Ra Peak” in 2026 kicks off

On the morning of January 4, at the Phuoc Long Victory Monument, Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television, in coordination with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the People's Committee of Phuoc Long Ward, and the People's Committee of Phuoc Binh Ward, organized the 31st National Cross-Country Mountain-Climbing Tournament “Conquering Ba Ra Peak” in 2026.

The event aims to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the liberation of Phuoc Long (January 6, 1975 - 2026), the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - 2026), and to welcome the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Cultural performances to welcome the opening of the tournament

Attending the opening ceremony were: Vice President of the Vietnam Athletics Federation Nguyen Trung Hinh; Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province Le Truong Son; former Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Phuoc province Nguyen Van Thoa; Provincial Party Committee member, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dong Nai province Le Thi Ngoc Loan; Provincial Party Committee member, Editor-in-Chief of Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television Nguyen Thi Minh Nham; Provincial Party Committee member, Secretary of the Party Committee of Phuoc Long ward Nguyen Thi Huong Giang; Provincial Party Committee member, Secretary of the Party Committee of Phuoc Binh ward Huynh Thi Thuy Trang, along with leaders of departments, agencies, localities; sponsors and a large number of athletes competing in various distances.

Delegates attend the opening ceremony

The 31st National Cross-Country Mountain-Climbing Tournament “Conquering Ba Ra Peak” in 2026 will have 9 provinces, cities, and units registering to participate in the selection category, including: The Army Team (Border Guard Sports Team), Lam Dong, Lai Chau, Ninh Binh, Gia Lai, Quang Ngai, Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, and host province Dong Nai. The total number of registered athletes is 120, including 77 male and 43 female athletes.

Delegates attend the opening ceremony

Among them are athletes well-known in the Vietnamese athletics scene, such as Trinh Quoc Luong (Army Team), Pham Thi Hong Le (Gia Lai), Hoang Nguyen Thanh, and Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa (Dong Nai), among others.

Le Truong Son, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony

The host team, Dong Nai, alone has 24 athletes participating in the selection category, the highest number in the competition.

Le Truong Son, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province, presents flowers to congratulate the award winners

In addition to the national selection category, the national amateur category also attracted 700 male and female athletes competing in two distances: 6.1km and 19km. Meanwhile, nearly 200 athletes took part in the provincial amateur category, competing in the following distances: men's 6km, women's 5.4km, boys' juniors 4.8km, and girls' juniors 4km. Around 1,000 runners participated in the accompanying race.

Cao Quoc Sang, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television, and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio–Television; Deputy Standing Head of the Organizing Committee, declares the tournament open

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Truong Son affirmed that over the years, the National Cross-Country Mountain-Climbing Tournament “Conquering Ba Ra Peak” has increasingly established itself as a prestigious event, officially recognized within the national race system. Dong Nai is pleased to welcome nine teams from across the country, including some from very distant locations. A national-level cross-country race will also be held here in November this year. Dong Nai always welcomes athletes and teams from all over the country to the land and people of Dong Nai in general, and Phuoc Long in particular, to share their best wishes.

Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Phuoc Long Ward, Nguyen Khac Hanh, presents flowers to the organizing committee of the tournament. Photo: Huy Anh The organizing committee expresses gratitude to the sponsors of the National Cross-Country Mountain-Climbing Tournament “Conquering Ba Ra Peak” in 2026. Photo: Huy Anh The National Cross-Country Mountain-Climbing Tournament “Conquering Ba Ra Peak” in 2026 is attracting foreign athletes. Photo: Cong Nghia The athletes begin to set off

Provincial leaders also commended the close coordination between Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television of Dong Nai, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dong Nai province, the People's Committees of Phuoc Long and Phuoc Binh wards, sponsors, and relevant agencies in ensuring the successful organization of the cross-country race.

By Vuong The, Cong Nghia, Huy Anh – Translated by Quoc Dung, Minho