The 2025 Victory Cup is launched in Hà Nội on November 5, Photos courtesy of Vietcontent

HÀ NỘI — The winners of the 2025 Victory Cup will receive a record bonus of VNĐ750 million (US$28,500) in recognition of their contributions throughout the year.

The annual Victory Cup, the most prestigious award in Vietnamese sport, was launched on November 5 in Hà Nội. It honours only one best candidate in each category based on achievements recorded in 2025.

The event has been co-organised by VTVcab, Vietcontent and the Sports Authority of Việt Nam (SAV) for 10 years.

During this period, many athletes, coaches and experts have been named and recognised. Among them are swimmer Nguyễn Thị Ánh Viên, runner Quách Thị Lan, footballer Đỗ Hùng Dũng, volleyball player Trần Thị Thanh Thúy and marksman Hoàng Xuân Vinh.

This year, 11 categories remain. They are Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Team of the Year, Young Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Teammates of the Year, Most Favourite Athlete, Athlete with Disability of the Year, Impressive Sport Image of the Year, Foreign Expert of the Year and Lifetime Sport Award.

In the total prize fund, the highest individual prize of VNĐ100 million will be awarded to the winners of the first three categories.

The list of nominees will be finalised after the 33rd SEA Games, to be held in December in Thailand.

There are two rounds of voting. In the first, national supporters will choose their favourites while a council of sport experts, managers and journalists will select the final best recipients.

"The Victory Cup is not just an award. It is a symbol of perseverance and iron will of Vietnamese sportsmen helping the Vietnamese national flag wave in the international arena," said SAV Director Nguyễn Danh Hoàng Việt.

"Over the past 10 years, the award has truly become a driving force and a prestigious destination for all Vietnamese athletes and coaches."

Also at the launching ceremony, the organising committee awarded swimmer with disability Phạm Tuấn Hưng VNĐ25 million, as he is the character featured in the photograph that won the Impressive Image of 2024.

Phạm Tuấn Hưng receices his bonus.

Losing his legs in a tragic accident at age two, Hưng has to move on his hands. Overcoming adversity and pain, he not only becomes a swimmer and football player but also inspires many people to rise up in life.

In less than two years of practising swimming, the young man from Quảng Ninh won a number of medals at national competitions and finished fourth in the 2023 ASEAN Para Games.

Recently, Hưng was included in the list of 10 athletes who qualified to participate in the World Paralympic Swimming Championship.

Along with his sporting journey, the 23-year-old is also an energetic and inspirational digital content creator, running a TikTok channel with 700,000 followers. — VNS