The Ho Chi Minh Television Cycling Tournament, or HTV Cup, is one of the events nominated for the 50 outstanding events and activities of Ho Chi Minh City from 1975 to 2025. 

The program to vote for 50 outstanding events and activities is part of the activities marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam and Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

The HTV Cup, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Television, has left a lasting impression on the audience for many years.

The opening ceremony and the first stage of the 37th HTV Cup will take place in Tuyen Quang Province, northern Vietnam on Thursday. 

The organizer said they mobilized over 100 employees, 70 motorcycles, and 50 support personnel for the race, which will gather 120 racers.

The HTV Cup was first held in 1989. Two years later, it was recognized by the Sports Authority of Vietnam as part of the national competition system. 

Starting from its fifth edition in 1993, the race had a nationwide route and quickly became a sporting event that the public eagerly anticipated every April.

There are several milestones in the history of this race.

International cyclists participated in the race for the first time in 2004.

The route was extended to neighboring countries like Laos in 2006 and Cambodia in 2007. 

To date, HTV is the first and only television station to have broadcast a live road cycling race.

In 2020, when many public events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HTV Cup still took place and was a great success. 

The race became the first cycling competition in the world to resume after most sports activities were suspended due to the pandemic. News agencies in several countries praised the event.

The race's appeal goes beyond the thrilling sprints of the cyclists -- it's also about the journey, where spectators can take in the stunning landscapes, rich culture, and vibrant communities along the route.

3 programs connecting citizens and local authorities

The programs Noi va lam (Say and Do), Lang nghe va trao doi (Listen and Exchange), and Dan hoi - Chinh quyen tra loi (People Ask – Government Responds) are also nominated for the 50 outstanding events and activities of Ho Chi Minh City.

In 2006, the program Noi va lam, co-organized by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council and Ho Chi Minh City Television, was launched and quickly became a special favorite among viewers. 

Luong Vu Phong, director of HTV’s news center, said the idea for the program came from a suggestion by Pham Phuong Thao, former deputy secretary of the municipal Party Committee and former chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council. 

According to Thao, the municipal People’s Council’s Q&A sessions could never be enough. Noi va lam was created as an extension of these sessions.

Leaders from various departments and agencies answered citizens' questions per month.

At that time, Noi va lam was one of the rare television programs that connected citizens with the government. 

Over 100 hours of the program was broadcast live in five years.

Noi va lam officially concluded after five years on air. In 2011, a similar program named Lang nghe va trao doi was launched. 

The program opened up a forum where the municipal Party Committee and government listened directly to citizens' opinions and suggestions.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the program Dan hoi - Chinh quyen tra loi was launched and is broadcast monthly on HTV9. 

With the rapid development of technology, Dan hoi - Chinh quyen tra loi not only airs on the traditional television channel but is also broadcast on social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, allowing viewers to follow it anytime, anywhere, said Phong.

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