Vietnam’s Asian Games medalists to receive extra cash bonuses

Vietnam will add immediate bonuses to the state rewards awaiting athletes who win medals at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The Vietnamese delegation will include 498 members, among them 348 athletes competing in 33 sports and disciplines. Nguyễn Hồng Minh, deputy director of the Department of Physical Training and Sports, will lead the team. The delegation is scheduled to depart on September 9, while its main contingent will fly to Japan on September 16. Events such as football will begin moving earlier.

Vietnam has set a target of four to six gold medals. Nguyễn Danh Hoàng Việt, director of the department, said the target reflected expectations rather than an impossible ambition. He identified sepak takraw, karate, shooting and athletics among the sports offering Vietnam its strongest gold-medal hopes.

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Four to six gold medals is Vietnam’s expected target, but that does not mean it cannot be achieved.

“Four to six gold medals is Vietnam’s expected target, but that does not mean it cannot be achieved,” Việt told Tuổi Trẻ. He said the sports sector had assessed its opponents and prepared its athletes carefully. “The sports sector is not setting a target and relying on luck. It must be based on preparation and the athletes’ ability.”

Under Government Decree 349, Asian Games gold, silver and bronze medalists receive 280 million, 170 million and 110 million dong respectively. Athletes who break a record receive an additional 110 million dong. At a September 7 partnership signing, the Vietnam Olympic Committee, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam and Vietcontent agreed that Revive, Suntory PepsiCo’s sports-drink brand, would support the delegation. Việt said the socialized funding would provide extra bonuses alongside the state payments.

At the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Vietnam won three gold medals, five silver medals and 19 bronze medals, finishing sixth in Southeast Asia and 21st in Asia.

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The sports sector is not setting a target and relying on luck. It must be based on preparation and the athletes’ ability.