Coach Mai Duc Chung was awarded the title of Hero of Labor.

On the morning of September 25, at the Hanoi Opera House, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) organized the 4th Patriotic Emulation Congress. Attending the congress were comrades: Le Thanh Long, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister; Nguyen Van Hung, member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of MCST; and more than 300 delegates, including representatives of typical and advanced collectives and individuals in the Patriotic Emulation Movement of the MOCST for the period 2021 - 2025.

Delegates attending the Patriotic Emulation Congress of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Authorized by the President , Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long awarded coach Mai Duc Chung the title of Hero of Labor.

Coach Mai Duc Chung is a veteran coach with achievements with the Vietnamese women's football team winning 8 Gold Medals at the SEA Games (1997, 2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021-2022, 2023), winning the AFF Cup 2019, fourth place at the 2014 ASIAD, fifth place at the 2022 Asian Cup and winning a ticket to the 2023 World Cup.

Sharing about this honor, coach Mai Duc Chung expressed: "This is the most noble and honorable award in my life. This title is an honor for me and my family. I would like to express my gratitude to the Party and State, the authorities, the National Training Center 1 and the Vietnam Football Federation for always caring and creating conditions for me to be able to complete my tasks. I also want to thank the clubs, colleagues in the coaching staff and the players who have always accompanied me on the past journey."

Authorized by the President, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long (right) presented the title of Labor Hero to coach Mai Duc Chung.

Currently, coach Mai Duc Chung is continuing to lead the Vietnamese women's team to compete in the 2026 Asian Cup Qualifiers, the Southeast Asian Championship and the 2025 SEA Games.

Delivering the opening speech of the congress, Minister Nguyen Van Hung emphasized: In the call for patriotic emulation, Uncle Ho advised: "Emulation is patriotism, patriotism requires emulation. And those who emulate are the most patriotic." That call has become a command of the heart, a sacred call that stirs every cadre, civil servant, public employee, and worker in the industry to strive to emulate and achieve many results.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung presented the opening speech at the congress.

With the consistent motto: "Decisive action - Aspiration to contribute", with a spirit of learning and modesty, in culture, we have competed to preserve and cultivate identity, nurture the national soul, proactively integrate and promote culture to international friends; in sports, we have competed to practice to make the flag and colors famous, enhance the position of the Fatherland in the international arena; in tourism, we have competed to innovate and create so that Vietnam becomes a safe, friendly and attractive destination, becoming a bright spot in the socio-economic picture for many years; the press and media have become "The conduit of knowledge - Connecting the trust between the Party, the State and the people"; in training, scientific and technological research have achieved many results, creating quality human resources. State management fields are focusing on the mission of preserving the national soul, arousing the desire for development, spreading the trust, intelligence and Vietnamese mettle.

The 4th Patriotic Emulation Congress of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism took place in the context that the Party, the State and the entire political system have been synchronously implementing historic policies and strategic breakthroughs to bring the country firmly into a new era - an era of strong, prosperous development.

Speaking at the congress, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long highly appreciated the active role of the culture, sports and tourism sector in the emulation movement, contributing to the country's overall achievements.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, in the coming time, the new development context will bring opportunities and advantages but also pose many difficulties and challenges; requiring sectors and levels, including the culture, sports and tourism sector, to continue to unite and make efforts, turning emulation movements into a driving force for innovation, creativity and dedication; so that each emulation movement becomes a specific, practical action, associated with the tasks of each agency, unit and locality, contributing to building a comprehensive, modern and integrated sector.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long speaks at the congress.

The Deputy Prime Minister suggested: The Culture, Sports and Tourism sector should continue to preserve and promote the nation's traditional cultural values, build a healthy cultural life; link the movement "All people unite to build a cultural life" with the National Target Program on building new rural areas and civilized urban areas. Focus on drafting the Politburo's Resolution on Revival and Development of Vietnamese Culture in the New Era. Quickly decide on investment in the National Target Program on Cultural Development according to authority. Launch and implement creative emulation, spread initiatives on preserving and conserving cultural heritage, create a healthy cultural environment and promote the development of cultural and entertainment industries.

Develop sustainable, creative, professional, civilized tourism, becoming a key economic sector. Strongly promote emulation movements, encourage localities and businesses to innovate in each tourism product and service; build a smart tourism ecosystem, develop green tourism products, and enhance Vietnam's position on the world tourism map.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long and Minister Nguyen Van Hung presented flags to collectives with outstanding achievements in the emulation movement.

Promote the movement "All people exercise following the example of great Uncle Ho", linking emulation in physical training with improving health, stature and quality of human resources. Organize emulation movements in high-performance sports, aiming at professionalization and socialization, focusing on investment in strong sports, gradually improving the position of Vietnamese sports.

Further promote the role of press and publishing as a sharp tool of the Party and State on the ideological and cultural front, a trusted forum for the people and a bridge to promote the image of Vietnam to the world. Build a digital media ecosystem, multi-platform electronic publishing, apply new technology to serve the people quickly, accurately and modernly.

The Congress awarded certificates of merit to 19 collectives and 53 individuals with outstanding achievements in the patriotic emulation movement for the period 2021 - 2025.