This exciting sporting event not only serves as a stage for top players to showcase their skills but also provides a valuable opportunity for young athletes to demonstrate their talent. The tournament acts as a crucial springboard for selecting members of the national team in preparation for the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand later this year and the 2026 National Sports Games.
As Vietnam’s premier professional table tennis tournament, the 43rd edition of the Nhan Dan Newspaper National Table Tennis Championships – 2025, competing for the PetroVietnam–Ca Mau Fertilizer Cup, is co-organised by Nhan Dan Newspaper, the Vietnam Sports Administration, the Vietnam Table Tennis Federation, and the Department of Culture and Sports of Da Nang. More than just a commemorative event for national holidays, this year’s tournament also offers an opportunity to evaluate the training quality of provinces, cities, and industries, while enabling the country's strongest table tennis teams to further develop their skills and tactics.
A launchpad for major breakthroughs
According to Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet, Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration: “The Nhan Dan Newspaper National Table Tennis Championships is a traditional and particularly significant event within the national competition system. It not only helps improve professional skills and competitive spirit among athletes but also forms the basis for the annual selection of the national team’s elite squad.”
Viet noted that with Nhan Dan Newspaper’s support, the tournament’s organisation has become increasingly professional, meeting international standards in terms of space, lighting, and equipment. Livestreaming and interactive activities also help attract a large fan base.
Side events such as the Table Tennis Beauty Pageant and charitable activities further enhance the tournament’s social impact. Thanks to this strong foundation, Vietnamese table tennis has consistently achieved success on the international stage, marking a sustainable breakthrough in the country’s high-performance sports development strategy.
Sharing the same perspective as Director Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet, a representative from Ca Mau Petroleum Fertiliser Joint Stock Company—the tournament’s main sponsor—remarked: “The Nhan Dan Newspaper National Table Tennis Championships is one of Vietnam’s most established and prestigious sporting events. We hope this tournament will continue to provide a high-quality and influential platform while promoting positive values such as focus, discipline, and perseverance—qualities that align closely with our corporate culture.”
This year marks the 13th consecutive year that PetroVietnam and Ca Mau Fertiliser have supported the Nhan Dan Newspaper National Table Tennis Championships. As a continued main sponsor, Ca Mau Fertiliser is not only focused on the tournament's sporting aspects but also committed to amplifying its values within the community. The company is also ramping up media coordination efforts to bring the tournament closer to the public, especially in rural areas.
This year’s event has attracted nearly 200 athletes from 16 teams, competing across seven categories: men’s team, women’s team, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, men’s singles, and women’s singles.
According to Phan Anh Tuan, Head of Table Tennis at the Vietnam Sports Administration and an international-level referee, the competition promises to be intense and exciting, featuring strong teams such as Hanoi, the People’s Police T&T, the Army team, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Duong, and provinces like Tay Ninh, Tien Giang, and Vinh Long—all fielding particularly talented young athletes.
As usual, all participating teams have carefully planned their preparations. For the Da Nang table tennis team, competing on home ground presents both advantages and challenges. On the one hand, athletes benefit from enthusiastic support from family, friends, and local fans. On the other, high expectations can create psychological pressure, especially for younger players.
In recent years, thanks to the support and investment from the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports, as well as encouragement from the city’s Table Tennis Federation, Da Nang’s athletes and coaches have had opportunities for short-term training camps in China, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand. As a result, young athletes from Da Nang have shown significant improvement across tournaments.
At national youth championships, they have secured numerous gold medals in various age categories, with standout performers including Ngo Thuy Tien and Le Minh Khang.
Head coach of the Da Nang team, Dang Xuan Chanh, shared: “As every year, based on the national tournament schedule, the coaching staff plans the best possible squad and organises intensive training accordingly. Among them, the Nhan Dan Newspaper National Table Tennis Championships is the focal point. All coaches and players are actively preparing to meet the targets set.” With careful preparation, Da Nang is aiming for medals in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles categories this year.
Meanwhile, the Hanoi table tennis team—one of the most accomplished in national competitions—continues to set high goals for this year’s tournament. In addition to mainstays such as Nguyen Anh Tu (men) and Nguyen Thi Nga (women), Hanoi is also pushing forward with its youth strategy by developing key young players to ensure strong future succession.
Ahead of the tournament, Nguyen Van Thuan, Deputy Director of Hai Duong’s Centre for Sports Training and Competition, shared insights into the team’s preparation: “Since the first edition of the tournament was hosted in Hai Duong 43 years ago, we have never missed a single season. The Hai Duong team maintains year-round training with high volume and intensity.”
To best prepare for the tournament, the Hai Duong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism planned to send one coach along with five male and five female athletes to Suwon, the Republic of Korea for training in mid-April 2025. In addition, the team regularly participates in domestic open tournaments to gain experience and improve their competitive skills.
An energetic sporting feast
As of now, all infrastructure preparations for the tournament have been completed. Nguyen Trong Thao, Deputy Director of Da Nang’s Department of Culture and Sports, stated: “All competition equipment is ready. Lighting, air conditioning, accommodation, and training facilities have been carefully prepared to ensure the best conditions for athletes. Hosting this tournament in Da Nang is expected to make a mark—not only for the city but for the entire region. This is set to be a vibrant ‘sporting feast’ that the organising committee wishes to offer to fans across the country.”
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| The facilities inside Tien Son Sports Complex in Da Nang are fully prepared. |
All tables used in this year’s tournament meet the strict standards of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and are used in global tournaments including the World Championships and the Olympics.
The Double Fish Volant Dream 3 table is a high-quality competition model with a 25mm MDF surface that ensures accurate bounce. The electrostatically painted A3 steel frame provides durability, while smart-lock wheels ensure stability. Its anti-glare coating meets ITTF standards, offering a truly professional playing experience.
Additionally, the Double Fish brand supplies V40+ balls, the official choice for the Olympics and ITTF events, alongside Enlio A-14150-5.0mm flooring—commonly used in major international tournaments. Dang Thanh Hai, Chairman and CEO of Modern Fare Vietnam (Mofit), expressed his honour in accompanying the 43rd Nhan Dan Newspaper National Table Tennis Championships as the sponsor of the tables and flooring.
“Mofit is committed not only to sponsorship but also to contributing to the development of Vietnamese table tennis, inspiring younger generations, and elevating our national sports on the global stage,” Hai affirmed.
With a solid foundation built over 43 years, serious investment from localities, and a strong commitment to innovation, this year’s championships gives Vietnam every reason to aim for success at the 33rd SEA Games and continue strengthening its position across the region. According to the organisers, high-value prizes will continue to be offered across categories to motivate athletes and fuel competitive spirit.
