Duong Quoc Hoang is the first Vietnamese player invited to compete at the World Pool Masters 2024. (Photo of Vietcontent)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnamese star Duong Quoc Hoang hasreceived one of the only two wildcards to compete at the prestigious World PoolMasters 2024.
It will be the 30th edition of the tournament, an official WorldNineball Tour (WNT) Invitational event, which will be held from April 25-28 inHildesheim, Germany.
The event will boast a world-class field, with the top 14 takenfrom the WNT Rankings, plus two additional wild cards across four days of eliteaction.
On its Facebook fanpage, Matchroom posted: "Xin chao DuongQuoc Hoang! We are pleased to announce that Duong Quoc Hoang has received ourfirst wildcard. Get your tickets now so you can join this amazing event".
"Feeling extremely proud, because this is a tournament that Iam looking forward to," Hoang responded to the wildcard announcement.
"Last year I missed it. This year the opportunity opensagain. Upon receiving the invitation from Matchroom at 3.00am, I couldn't sleepbecause of happiness. I hope to improve my current form (for the event).”
Hoang was invited to take part in the 2023 event after Fedor Gorstcould not join because of a visa issue. The Vietnamese accepted the invitationbefore he recognised that the entry date in his visa was nearly 10 days afterthe opening match of the tournament, causing him to miss the event.
Hoang has been known in the pool community for years, but hecaused a stir in 2023 with a win over reigning world 9-ball and 10-ballchampion at the World Pool Championship.
In the World Pool Masters, he will play against world leadingathletes such as reigning European Open champion David Alcaide, world No 1Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, American legend Shane Van Boening, Hanoi Open PoolChampionship winner Jayson Shaw, Wiktor Zielinski, Max Lechner, Ko Ping Chung,Eklent Kaci and defending champion Ko Pin Yi. The second wildcard holder willbe announced in the next few days.
A big bonus of 125,000 USD is up for grabs with the winner topocket 40,000 USD.
World Pool Masters is the most sought-after annual invitationalevent in the world of pool. The first event was organised in 1993 in England./.
The lucrative ranking event, the Peri 9-ball Open with 104,000 USD in prize money, will take place in early October in Hanoi, featuring some of the world's best pool players.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
Duong Quoc Hoang is the first Vietnamese player invited to compete at the World Pool Masters 2024. (Photo of Vietcontent) 
