VTV Cup 2026 women's football tournament opens in Lao Cai

The inaugural VTV Cup 2026, a women's football tournament for ethnic minority athletes, officially opened on August 23 at the Nghia Lo Stadium in Lao Cai province, Vietnam. The tournament features 12 teams representing various communes and wards from across the country.

Lao Cai province is represented by four teams: Luc Yen, Lam Thuong, Vo Lao, and Nghia Lo. In the opening matches, Lam Thuong secured a 2-1 comeback victory against Pac Ta from Lai Chau.

Local officials, including Vu Thi Hien Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee, emphasized that the tournament aims to provide a healthy sporting environment for ethnic minority women while promoting cultural exchange, solidarity, and regional tourism. There are hopes that the event will become an annual tradition to discover new football talent among minority communities.