Nearly 900 athletes race in Hanoi dragon boat, SUP championships

On Friday, the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Vietnam Airlines held a press conference to announce the 2026 Dragon Boat Racing - SUP Tournament.

The event is part of activities marking the 72nd anniversary of Hanoi’s Liberation Day and is also part of the 'Touch Hanoi's Autumn' campaign launched by the Hanoi People’s Committee and Vietnam Airlines to promote culture, sports and tourism.

The tournament will take place on October 3 and 4 at Ly Tu Trong Flower Garden and on West Lake along Thanh Nien and Nguyen Dinh Thi Streets in Tay Ho Ward.

Nearly 900 athletes from embassies, international organizations, provinces and cities across Vietnam, and sports clubs will compete, promising a vibrant sports and cultural festival amid Hanoi’s autumn scenery.

For the dragon boat racing category, the first-, second- and third-place teams will receive VND15 million (US$577), VND10 million ($385) and VND7 million ($269), respectively, along with round-trip flight tickets for athletes traveling on international, Southeast Asian and domestic routes.

In the SUP category, the first-, second- and third-place teams will receive VND7 million ($269), VND5 million ($192) and VND3 million ($115), respectively, along with pairs of round-trip tickets on the same routes.

Now in its sixth season, the event aims not only to promote water sports but also to showcase Hanoi as a dynamic, open and culturally rich destination to domestic and international visitors.