The public can also enjoy special water sports performances, such as sailing, jet-skiing, windsurfing, flyboarding and paragliding during this year's River Festival.

On the morning of June 1, nearly 600 athletes were present at Saigon River Park to participate in two important activities in the Ho Chi Minh City River Festival series: the River Crossing Championship and the first Ho Chi Minh City Open Stand-up Paddleboard Championship in 2024.

Mr. Nguyen Nam Nhan, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, said that this competition contributes to promoting the movement of practicing swimming and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), creating conditions for those who love these sports throughout the country to have the opportunity to compete, exchange, learn, and improve their level and professional skills in practicing and competing in water sports.

This is also a community-oriented sporting event, serving the growing needs of the public who love these sports and are considered popular recreational and health-improving sports in today's life.

The athletes’ exciting competition attracted a large number of tourists and locals. Despite the hot weather, many people still stayed to watch and cheer on the athletes. The heavy rain the night before also caused the river water to rise and become more muddy, however, the athletes still competed actively to achieve the best results.

The units participating in the first Ho Chi Minh City Open River Swimming and Stand-up Paddleboard Championship in 2024 include 51 participating teams with nearly 600 athletes, competing at a distance of 1,000m, 500m in the area from Ba Son Bridge to Pier No. 4 (Thu Ngu Flagpole).

These are amateur and professional athletes from Thu Duc city, districts and counties of Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, the city also invited teams from other provinces and cities and amateur athletes.

"From the interest in sports to raise people's awareness, increase self-awareness and responsibility to preserve and protect the environment of rivers and canals in the city. At the same time, continue to build the image of Saigon River as a cultural symbol of Ho Chi Minh City and optimally exploit the value of the river and canal system with many attractive and novel tourism products and services", said Mr. Nguyen Nam Nhan.

The closing ceremony and awards ceremony is scheduled for 11am on June 2.