Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien also attended the meeting.

This year’s ASIAD saw Vietnam bring home four gold medals, 16 silver and 18 bronze, ranking 17th out of 45 National Olympic Committees in the medal tally.

Especially, the Vietnam Olympic football team was praised for reaching the bronze-medal match for the first time ever. Although the team lost to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 3-4 in a penalty shootout, their performance was celebrated by fans and the boys returned to a hero’s welcome.

Vietnam’s journey to the competition’s top four teams gives hope for the team to advance further at the continental level on the football pitch.

PM Phuc stressed that these results were more meaningful when they came to the occasion of the whole country celebrating its National Day (September 2). 

“Coaches, athletes showed their willingness, desire of Vietnam sports as well as unity spirit and proud of the country in the Asian event,” said Prime Minister Phuc.

“This victory also brings the belief for the Vietnamese people in sport,” Phuc added.

At the meeting, Phuc awarded third-class Labour Orders for athletes wining gold medals and gifts for outstanding individuals.

Earlier, a programme was held at the Mỹ Đình National Stadium on Sunday to honour outstanding athletes of the Vietnamese sports delegation for their successes at the Games.

Titled “Pride of Vietnam”, the event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien, VOV General Director of Nguyen The Ky, and officials from the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Hanoi People’s Committee, the National Sports Administration, the Vietnam Football Federation along with dozen of thousands of people were present at the stadium to share the athletes’ joy.

Speaking at the event, VOV General Director Ky said that in the atmosphere of the National Day, millions of hearts headed to the stadium with the same beat welcoming the delegation, which accomplished its mission at the Asian Games 2018.

He highlighted that by their burning love for the motherland, by their wisdom, talent and bravery, the athletes have made great efforts to reach high achievements, bringing pride to the country.

This event was also a chance for sports fans nationwide to meet and exchange with athletes, as well as congratulate the athletes that made excellent achievements in the Asian sport event.

At the Asian Games 2014 held in Incheon, South Korea, Vietnam’s football team were knocked out in the round of 16 after losing to UAE 1-3, while the Vietnam delegation won just one gold medal, 10 silvers and 25 bronzes to rank 21st in the overall medal tally. (Vietnamnews.vn)