On the morning of October 26, an exciting atmosphere enveloped Ngo Mon Square in Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province, as the Ministry of Public Security proudly kicked off the 9th “For National Security” Sports Festival, alongside the 6th Police Regulation, Military, and Martial Arts Competition for Region 4.
The opening ceremony at Ngo Mon Square. Photo: Tran Hong
This grand event attracted an impressive turnout of over 4,000 athletes, officials, and officers hailing from various police departments across central and highland regions, as well as participants from police academies, the Command of the Guard Force, and the Command of Mobile Police under the Ministry of Public Security.
In his compelling opening speech, Major General Le Hong Hiep, Deputy Director of the Department of Party Affairs and Political Work under the Ministry of Public Security, highlighted the festival’s significance. He remarked that this gathering not only celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Vietnamese People’s Police and the 20th anniversary of the National Security Protection Day but also aims to instill a profound sense of pride in the police force’s 80 years of dedicated service, growth, and commitment to community safety.
This year’s festival introduced a variety of new and challenging events crafted to test the mettle of participants. Competitions included an array of categories such as application running, fitness challenges for police officers, seven-a-side men’s football, as well as nine shooting events. Additionally, there were nine categories for police regulation, military skills, and martial arts, offering a comprehensive showcase of talent.
The addition of a mounted police unit added excitement to this year’s festival. Photo: Tran Hong
The festival was further enlivened by exceptional high-difficulty demonstrations performed by officers from the Guard Command, Mobile Police, Traffic Police, and Ho Chi Minh City Police. Audiences were treated to thrilling displays that included the mounted police, agile police motorcycles, dynamic qigong demonstrations, and intense live drills focused on handling scenarios related to security, public order, and counter-terrorism efforts.
One particularly striking demonstration showcased officers fearlessly leaping through walls of fire as they pursued simulated criminal suspects, captivating the audience with their bravery and skill.
A police officer leaps through a wall of fire. Photo: Tran Hong
Officers showcase qigong skills by pushing a car with a metal bar. Photo: Tran Hong
The Mobile Police force bursts through flames to reach and subdue criminals. Photo: Tran Hong
Traffic police perform a precision drill on specialized motorcycles. Photo: Tran Hong
During the ceremony, a chilling hypothetical scenario unfolded involving an attack on a foreign president’s convoy, executed by assailants wielding submachine guns and grenades. In response, the Guard Force demonstrated swift implementation of defensive tactics, employing advanced weaponry and personal shields to effectively neutralize the threat and ensure the safety of the VIP.
Guard forces swiftly implement defensive tactics to protect the VIP in a simulated attack scenario. Photo: Nhat Linh
Throughout the festival, spectators were treated to numerous outstanding martial arts performances that captivated and inspired the audience.
According to the Thua Thien Hue Police Department, the festival is set to run from October 26 to October 31, featuring a series of competitions at diverse locations across the province. In addition to the thrilling events at Ngo Mon Square, police forces are scheduled to hold parades along key streets in Hue City, celebrating the spirit of national security.
Quang Thanh
**Interview with Major General Le Hong Hiep, Deputy Director of the Department of Party Affairs and Political Work, Ministry of Public Security**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Major General Hiep. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. Could you share a bit about the significance of the 9th “For National Security” Sports Festival?
**Major General Hiep:** Good morning, and thank you for having me. This year’s festival is particularly meaningful as it coincides with two major anniversaries – the 80th anniversary of the Vietnamese People’s Police and the 20th anniversary of National Security Protection Day. It’s a time to reflect on our dedicated service to the nation and to instill a sense of pride among our officers and the community in the progress we’ve made in ensuring safety.
**Interviewer:** That sounds truly inspiring. I understand that this festival has grown in participation and scope. Can you tell us more about the athletes and the events featured this year?
**Major General Hiep:** Absolutely! This year, we witnessed an impressive assembly of over 4,000 athletes, officials, and officers from various police departments in central and highland regions, as well as police academies and specialized commands. We’ve introduced new and challenging events designed to showcase not only physical skills but also teamwork and strategy. This year’s lineup includes application running, police fitness challenges, seven-a-side men’s football, and multiple shooting events, as well as exciting new categories in military skills and martial arts.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a diverse and challenging program! I also heard there were some thrilling demonstrations. Could you elaborate on those?
**Major General Hiep:** Indeed! The festival was enhanced by exciting demonstrations from our officers, including the Guard Command, Mobile Police, Traffic Police, and even the Ho Chi Minh City Police. These performances featured mounted police units and agile motorcycle tactics, along with dynamic qigong demonstrations that captivated the audience. It’s essential that we display not only our strength but also our precision and discipline.
**Interviewer:** What do you hope attendees take away from this festival?
**Major General Hiep:** We hope attendees leave with a deeper appreciation for the dedication of our police forces. It’s about building community trust and understanding the commitment we have towards ensuring public safety. Additionally, showcasing our skills and teamwork fosters camaraderie among our officers, which ultimately translates to better service for our communities.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Major General Hiep, for sharing these insights and for your leadership. We look forward to seeing how this festival continues to grow in the future!
**Major General Hiep:** Thank you for having me. We appreciate the support and hope everyone enjoys the festival!
Nds like a thrilling array of events! The demonstrations also seem quite impressive, particularly the high-difficulty performances. Can you elaborate on that aspect of the festival?
**Major General Hiep:** Certainly! The demonstrations serve as a vital component of this festival, showcasing our officers’ skills and courage. This year, we featured exciting activities such as mounted police displays, precision drills performed by traffic police with specialized motorcycles, and qigong exhibitions. One of the highlights was a breathtaking demonstration where officers leaped through walls of fire to simulate a pursuit of criminal suspects. These displays not only entertain but also demonstrate our readiness and commitment to maintaining public order and safety in real-world scenarios.
**Interviewer:** That certainly sounds captivating! Could you share what you hope attendees take away from this event?
**Major General Hiep:** My hope is that attendees feel a renewed sense of pride in our police forces and recognize our dedication to serving the community. The festival also aims to strengthen the bond between the police and the people we serve, highlighting our ongoing commitment to national security. We encourage the public to engage and witness firsthand the dedication and sacrifices made by our officers every day.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Major General Hiep, for your insights! It sounds like the 9th “For National Security” Sports Festival will be a memorable celebration of courage, unity, and dedication within the police force.
**Major General Hiep:** Thank you for having me. We look forward to an exciting week of events and hope everyone joins us in celebrating these important milestones.