More than just sports!

When the terraced fields turn a brilliant yellow under the autumn sun, it is also the time when Hop Thanh enters the busiest festival season of the year. Interspersed with the sweet aroma of young rice and the cool mountain breeze is the Mountain Climbing Competition "Conquering Nam Ria Waterfall - the Road to the Golden Season" in 2025. The competition not only carries the spirit of conquering the peak but also the aspiration to develop local tourism.

The mountain climbing competition "Conquering Nam Ria waterfall - the road to the golden season" in 2025 is one of the attractive activities within the framework of the Hop Thanh Com Festival in 2025.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Doan - Vice Chairman of Hop Thanh Commune People's Committee said: The mountain climbing competition "Conquering Nam Ria waterfall - the road to the golden season" in 2025 not only contributes to spreading the movement "All people practice health following the example of great Uncle Ho", but also carries out a more important mission, which is to promote the wild and majestic natural beauty and unique cultural identity of the ethnic groups in Hop Thanh commune. It is a bridge for Hop Thanh commune to introduce its potential for eco- tourism and culture to tourists and investors.

Therefore, the tournament is not simply to find a winner, but to promote the spread of sports to awaken the local tourism potential. Each step of the athlete is a vivid image promoting the potential and strengths of Hop Thanh. The event creates a friendly, open environment, encouraging investors and tourists to experience, thereby creating a premise for tourism development and sustainable livelihoods for local people.

The biggest attraction of the 2025 “Conquering Nam Ria Waterfall - Road to the Golden Season” Mountain Climbing Race lies in the unique route of more than 5 km. This is a journey that combines all elements of the mountainous terrain: challenging trails, dangerous mountain slopes, dense old forests, the highlight is the majestic Nam Ria Waterfall and the terraced fields in the golden rice season. The clearest feeling about the beauty of this route comes from those who experience it directly.

Mr. Vu Cao Ky, an athlete from Lao Cai ward, said: This is the second time I have participated in the "Conquering Nam Ria Waterfall - the road to the golden season" climbing competition. The last time I participated in the competition, I found the scenery on the way to conquer Nam Ria Waterfall very beautiful, with old forests, waterfalls, hills, and terraced fields. In particular, the air here is very fresh and cool, suitable for sports activities as well as tourism experiences. It is this perfect combination of challenges and scenery that makes me want to come back and conquer again.

In addition to experienced athletes, the tournament is also a place for young runners to challenge their limits. Mr. Sung A Phay, an 18-year-old athlete from Lai Chau province, said: My biggest goal when participating in the Mountain Climbing Tournament "Conquering Nam Ria Waterfall - Road to Golden Season" in 2025 is to see with my own eyes the majestic scenery of Hop Thanh mountains and forests. With such a meaningful tournament, I hope that Hop Thanh commune will continue to organize it next year so that I can register to participate.

Through the athletes' genuine feelings, it can be seen that the route to conquer Nam Ria waterfall is no longer a dry route but has become a true eco-tourism destination, stimulating curiosity and the desire to explore, turning athletes into "tourism ambassadors", introducing and promoting the hidden beauty of Hop Thanh.

Although it is an experiential sport activity, to conquer this diverse and challenging route, the athletes have had extremely serious preparations. Representative of the spirit of serious training and determination to participate in the tournament to win high achievements is athlete Ngo Van Chinh. The young man from Sa Pa ward applied a strict training regimen to win first prize in the male category 18 - 39 years old.

Mr. Ngo Van Chinh said: To prepare for the tournament, every week I run two flat sessions to maintain speed, two sessions on trails to increase terrain endurance, and one session conquering Fansipan peak to practice endurance at high altitude. On the way to conquer Nam Ria waterfall, the air is very cool, fresh, with many beautiful landscapes, which is a great motivation for me to try my best on every step.

The 2025 “Conquering Nam Ria Waterfall - The Road to the Golden Season” Mountain Climbing Tournament was a great success. At the end of the tournament, the Organizing Committee awarded medals to the athletes with high achievements, and commemorative medals to all participating athletes, recognizing their contributions to the overall success of the event. However, the greatest victory lies not only in the medals, but also in the new position of Hop Thanh commune.

The success of the race, associated with the Com Festival, has initially positioned Hop Thanh not only as a traditional agricultural land but also as a promising sports tourism destination. The steps on the "road to the golden season" today promise to open up a future of rapid and sustainable development for Hop Thanh commune tomorrow.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/khong-chi-la-the-thao-post885001.html