SHB accompanies Vietnamese sports delegation at ASIAD 20: 1.2 billion VND bonus and gold medal ambition

On September 26, 2026, in Hanoi, the signing ceremony of the sponsorship agreement between Saigon-Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB) and the Vietnamese sports delegation for the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD 20) took place in a solemn atmosphere. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with leaders of the Vietnam Olympic Committee (VOC) and representatives of national sports federations. Under the agreement, SHB committed to comprehensive support for the Vietnamese sports delegation with a total sponsorship budget of 1.2 billion VND. This fund is allocated for preparation, training, equipment, and especially a bonus fund for athletes winning medals. Each gold medal at ASIAD 20 will be rewarded with 500 million VND, silver medals with 300 million VND, and bronze medals with 200 million VND. This is the highest reward level ever for Vietnamese athletes at an Asian Games. The Vietnamese delegation to ASIAD 20 consists of 498 members, including about 350 athletes competing in 33 sports. The official target is to win at least 4 gold medals while improving the overall ranking compared to the previous Games. Among the key sports, athletics, swimming, weightlifting, shooting, karate, wushu, and men's football are expected to bring precious medals. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasized: "SHB's companionship is not only a valuable financial resource but also a great spiritual motivation for the athletes. We believe that with thorough preparation and support from businesses, the Vietnamese sports delegation will compete successfully at ASIAD 20, bringing glory to the Fatherland." Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, President of the Vietnam Olympic Committee, said: "This is the first time a private commercial joint-stock bank has sponsored the entire Vietnamese sports delegation to the Asian Games. This support allows us to be more proactive in preparation, reduce the burden on the state budget, and create the best conditions for athletes." Representing SHB, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Lan Phuong, Deputy General Director of SHB, shared: "SHB has always identified sports as one of the priority areas in its sustainable development strategy and social responsibility. We are proud to accompany the Vietnamese sports delegation at ASIAD 20, contributing to spreading the image of Vietnam and its people to international friends. SHB has a tradition of sponsoring Vietnamese football since 2026, including the national team, national championship, and regional tournaments." Additionally, SHB has spent over 100 billion VND on sports sponsorship activities in the past five years, including purchasing broadcast rights for the 2026 World Cup, sponsoring the Vietnamese women's football team at the 2026 World Cup, and organizing grassroots tournaments. For ASIAD 20, SHB goes beyond cash sponsorship to support logistics, medical care, and media for the delegation. ASIAD 20 will take place in Japan (Aichi – Nagoya) from September 19 to October 4, 2026. This is the largest multi-sport event in Asia, gathering over 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and territories. For Vietnam, this is an opportunity to affirm its sports position in the region while promoting sportsmanship and physical fitness among the people. During preparation, Vietnamese athletes are undergoing intensive training camps domestically and internationally. Some sports such as swimming, weightlifting, and shooting have received strong investment in foreign coaches and modern equipment. The Vietnam Football Federation is also building a high-quality friendly match schedule for the U22 and national teams aiming for the first Asian Games gold medal in history. However, challenges are significant as traditional rivals such as Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and China are all well-prepared. In athletics, Vietnam pins hopes on long-distance running and long jump events, where athletes achieved high results at the 32nd SEA Games. In swimming, while Anh Vien has retired, the next generation is gradually making their mark. On SHB's side, the bank affirms it will continue to accompany Vietnamese sports in the long term. Mr. Nguyen Van Le, General Director of SHB, said: "We are not only sponsoring ASIAD 20 but also building a long-term sponsorship program for young athletes to develop sustainable sports human resources for the country. SHB wants to become the 'number one companion' of Vietnamese sports." The signing ceremony took place in an uplifting atmosphere, witnessed by many journalists and fans. Many athletes present expressed emotion and determination to give their best, not letting down the trust of the bank and the people nationwide. At the end of the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra and leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism awarded the Emulation Flag to the Vietnamese sports delegation, officially launching the campaign to conquer ASIAD 20. With support from SHB and thorough preparation, hopes for sparkling gold medals may become reality.