France’s Cyril Viennot and Switzerland’s Caroline Steffen took the men’s and women’s titles, respectively, of the VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam 2016 in Da Nang on May 8.
Da Nang (VNA) - France’s Cyril Viennot and Switz𒊎erland’s Caroline Steffen took the men’s and women’s titles, respectively, of the VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam 2016 in Da Nang on May 8.
Viennot, who finished fourth last year, clocked a time of three hours 54 minutes and nine seconds to win the men’s title.
Tim Van Berkel, from Australia, came in second in 3hr 55min 8sec, ahead of his fellow countryman Luke Mc Kenzie, with a time in 3hr 59min 18sec.
“I’m very happy to race and win the VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam this year. It’s a challenge with hot weather today and I was thinking of running faster on 21km track,” Viennot said at a press conference after the race.
Swiss Steffen, who won VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam 2015, defended her title in this the second edition of the race in a time of 4hr 12min 18sec.
Czech Radka Vodickova finished second with a time in 4hr 15min 46sec, while Liz Blatchford ranked third after finishing in 4hr 19min 46sec.
Steffen said it was a tough race for her this year as defending champion.
“Winning the title is hard, but defending it is even harder. I’m very happy to win again in Vietnam. I had a good start with swimming and a good run after a bike race in very hot conditions,” Steffen said.
Caroline said she would donate more to Newborn Vietnam – a programme to reduce deaths of new born babies in the country – from an auction of her souvenirs this year.
On May 7, over 200 kids in the age groups of 6 to 10 and 11 to 14 also competed in the Iron Kid race with 1.5km and 2km fun run.
VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam 2016 drew over 1,100 athletes representing 60 countries, including more than 25 professional triathletes and 50 relay teams.
Athletes completed a 1.9km ocean swim, a 90km bike race and a 21km run along the coastline of Da Nang.-VNA
Athletes from 59 nations across the world, who will compete in the VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam, took part in a charitable run, called Newborns Vietnam Run Out, in the coastal central city of Da Nang.
It is the first time that the country is to hold a G1-level tournament which is expected to lure more than 100 athletes of 15 countries and regions at Go Vap Gymnasium.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Switzerland’s Caroline Steffen (Source: internet)
