Several matches were played on the opening day.

Representing Vietnam Television (VTV) at the opening ceremony were Do Duc Hoang, Deputy General Director of VTV; Nguyen Van Hop, Director of VTV's Ethnic Minority and Rural Communications Centre; Phan Ngoc Tien, Director of the VTV Sports Centre; and Le Van Dong, Deputy Director of the Ethnic Minority and Rural Communications Centre.

The tournament was being held at Nghia Lo Ward Stadium from August 23 to 29, 2026.

Representing Lao Cai Province were Hoang Giang, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Duong Duc Huy, Member of the Standing Board of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization; Giang A Tong, Member of the Standing Board of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Hanh Phuc Commune Party Committee and Chairman of the Commune People's Council; Hoang Thi Thanh Binh, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council; Vu Thi Hien Hanh, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee and Co-Head of the tournament Steering Committee; Hoang Thi Hanh, former Deputy Minister and Vice Chairwoman of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs; as well as leaders of provincial departments and agencies, representatives of localities fielding teams, athletes, supporters and local residents.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee Vice Chairwoman and tournament Steering Committee Co-Head Vu Thi Hien Hanh said the first Vietnam Ethnic Minority Women's Football Tournament - VTV Cup was a practical and meaningful event. It not only provides a healthy and rewarding sporting arena for ethnic minority women, she said, but also strengthens exchanges and solidarity among localities and ethnic communities. Through the tournament, the cultural beauty, landscapes and people of different regions can be widely promoted, thereby contributing to local tourism, cultural and socio-economic development.

Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee Vice Chairwoman Vu Thi Hien Hanh spoke at the opening ceremony.

Vu Thi Hien Hanh expressed hope that the tournament would become an annual sporting event, helping to drive the development of physical exercise and sports among ethnic minority communities while identifying and encouraging talented female footballers at the grassroots level.

The tournament brought together 12 ethnic minority women's teams from communes and wards across the country.

The tournament brings together 12 ethnic minority women's teams from communes and wards across the country. Lao Cai has four teams, representing Luc Yen, Lam Thuong and Vo Lao communes and Nghia Lo Ward.

The tournament is a meaningful sporting platform where ethnic minority women can meet, learn from one another and improve their skills. It also helps spread the spirit of solidarity and promote the cultural identities and people of Vietnam's regions.

Two matches were played on the morning of August 23 ahead of the opening ceremony. Nghia Lo Ward of Lao Cai lost 1-2 to Van Son Commune of Phu Tho, while Vo Lao Commune of Lao Cai drew 1-1 with Muong Pon Commune of Dien Bien.

The Vietnam Ethnic Minority Women's Football Tournament promises a series of exciting matches.

Immediately after the afternoon opening ceremony, Lam Thuong Commune of Lao Cai faced Pac Ta Commune of Lai Chau. The match between Luc Yen Commune of Lao Cai and Ea Pac Commune of Dak Lak was scheduled to follow at 4:40 p.m.

The first Vietnam Ethnic Minority Women's Football Tournament - VTV Cup 2026 runs from August 23 to 29 in Nghia Lo Ward, promising exciting football while adding a vibrant cultural and sporting highlight to the Muong Lo region./.