Attending the opening ceremony were Mr. Do Duc Hoang - Deputy General Director of Vietnam Television; leaders of the Center for Ethnic and Rural Communication, Sports Television Center, Vietnam Television.
On the side of Lao Cai province, there were Mr. Hoang Giang - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Mr. Duong Duc Huy - Head of the Provincial Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee; Ms. Vu Thi Hien Hanh - Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee, Co-Head of the Organizing Committee of the Award; along with leaders of departments, agencies, branches, and localities.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Vu Thi Hien Hanh - Vice Chairwoman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee emphasized that the first Vietnamese Ethnic Minority Women's Football Tournament - VTV Cup not only creates a healthy and useful sports playground for ethnic minority women but is also an opportunity to strengthen exchanges and solidarity between localities and ethnic communities.
Through the tournament, the cultural beauty, images of land and people of regions are widely promoted, contributing to promoting tourism, culture and local socio-economic development.
Vice Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee expects the tournament to become an annual sports activity, creating motivation for the development of the sports movement among ethnic minorities, and at the same time discovering and encouraging female football talents from the grassroots level.
This year's tournament gathers 12 ethnic minority women's football teams from communes and wards across the country. Lao Cai has 4 participating teams, including Luc Yen commune, Lam Thuong commune, Vo Lao commune and Nghia Lo ward teams.
Not only is it a sports playground, the tournament also creates opportunities for ethnic minority female athletes to exchange, learn, improve their expertise, and at the same time spread solidarity and promote cultural identity and images of people from all regions.
Before the opening ceremony, on the morning of August 23, the first two matches took place. The Nghia Lo ward team - Lao Cai lost to Van Son commune - Phu Tho with a score of 1-2. In the remaining match, Vo Lao commune - Lao Cai drew with Muong Pon commune - Dien Bien with a score of 1-1.
Immediately after the opening ceremony, the team of Lam Thuong commune - Lao Cai competed with Pac Ta commune - Lai Chau. At 4:40 PM, the team of Luc Yen commune - Lao Cai will meet Ea Pac commune - Dak Lak.
The first Vietnamese Ethnic Minority Women's Football Tournament - VTV Cup in 2026 is expected to bring exciting matches, create a vibrant atmosphere and become a cultural and sports highlight in Muong Lo land.
The teams compete in a 7-a-side women's football format, divided into groups and played in a round-robin format before entering the knockout matches and the Finals.
A total of 19 matches will take place continuously from August 23 to August 29, 2026, promising to bring an exciting sports atmosphere.
