Vietnam to host two int'l army games contests

Major General Tran Van Ba, deputy director of the Department of Politico-Military Training under the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA), said that Vietnam will host the two events for countries in Asia-Pacific region. He said the department has agreed with the contest format provided by Russian Ministry of Defense.

Russia has said last month that it expects to hold the International Army Games 2021 from August 22 to September 4 with 34 disciplines hosted by several countries.

Ba suggested that Russia sends experts to survey the site to advise and provide technical assistance on field preparation, invited participation and coordinate closely and regularly with Vietnam on organizing the contests.

Russia has affirmed that it will coordinate closely with Vietnam in organizing the contests and expressed confidence that Vietnam will succeed as their host, helping promote bilateral defense relations.

The People's Army of Vietnam sent its soldiers to participate in 11 of 31 disciplines at the International Army Games 2020 and the "Friendship Without Borders" Festival organized by Russia.

In its third year at the games, Vietnam took home three bronze medals and a champion cup in Group 2 of the Tank Biathlon, beating Abkhazia, Congo, Laos, Myanmar, Qatar, South Ossetia and Tajikistan.

The International Army Games 2020 was held in Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan from August 23 to September 5.

More than 5,000 participants from 156 teams from over 30 countries and regions competed in the event.

Russian finished first with 25 gold medals, four silvers and one bronze, followed by Belarus, Uzbekistan, and China.