An exclusive event which is linked to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour took place in Hanoi on March 4.

FIFA Women's World Cup. Photos: Embassy of New Zealand in Vietnam

The event gave Vietnamese national players the opportunity to witness the world’s most prestigious symbolic cup of women's football and encouraged Vietnam National Women’s Football Team ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023 that will take place from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

Co-organized by the New Zealand Embassy and the Hanoi Association for Women Entrepreneurs, the event brought together over 60 high-profile women leaders and entrepreneurs to explore how a focus on health and well-being can boost leadership capability and capacity, and enhance professional and personal success.

Guests at the event were treated to inspiring speeches by two Vietnamese sporting greats: Do Thi Ngoc Cham, former Vietnam National Football star, and Lam Tuc Ngan, the first Vietnamese woman to compete in the Ironman World Championship and an expert in health & fitness. Both speakers shared their experience of leadership and how focusing on physical and mental well-being has motivated them, built their resilience, and helped them to succeed in their chosen fields. 

New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson (R) and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski at the event held in Hanoi on Mar 4.

According to New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson, a mental health and well-being advocate, evidence shows that women are more likely to put the well-being of their family, friends, community and teams ahead of their own well-being. Leadership – in all sectors – requires a depth of energy and resilience. This means as women leaders, they must prioritize their physical and mental well-being if they are to achieve their professional and personal goals.

For that reason, she was delighted to host the event, against the backdrop of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour, which is in itself a testament to the courage, tenacity and talent of women around the world. “I hope this event can inspire the women attending to focus on their health – both physical and mental – so that they can be the very best versions of themselves,” she noted.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy - a symbol of women’s strength, determination and fighting spirit; participating in a lucky prize-draw, and meeting members of Vietnam national women's football team where guests can wish them luck ahead of their FIFA Women’s world cup journey to Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Delegates at the trophy tour include Lam Tuc Ngan (1st from left), Doan Bich Ngoc (2nd left), Do Thi Ngoc Cham (4th left), Mai Duc Chung (5th left) - head coach of Vietnam Women's National Football Team.

Sharing at the event, Head Coach of Vietnam National Women's Football Team Mai Duc Chung highlighted that female players are not as strong and fast as men but more resilient and tolerable. Vietnam women’s football team though could not contribute to the society any practical values but spiritual ones.

He shared his impressions on New Zealand – one of the two host countries of the Women’s World Cup 2023 for its beautiful landscape and the hospitality given to his team when they visited the country for football tours.    

Doan Thi Bich Ngoc, Chairwoman of the Hanoi Association for Women Entrepreneurs (HNEW), said sport always plays an important role in daily life. A healthy body will sharpen mind and inspire people to work intensively and efficiently. “I believe that women in Vietnam in particular and all around the world, including New Zealand in general always appreciate the role of sport. In that sense, the cooperation between HNEW and New Zealand Embassy in Vietnam would be the perfect combination for bringing inspiration and positive impact to society.”

Do Thi Ngoc Cham, former Vietnam National Football star, said that achieving success requires a long journey, which at the end of the day, you find out successes are great, but it's the journey that matters to everyone who keeps their passion continued. Therefore, try your best, and burn yourself with a fire of passion, the success will come.

Meanwhile, Lam Tuc Ngan, the first Vietnamese woman to compete in the Ironman World Championship and an expert in health & fitness, said: “Life is the art of balance and each of us is an artist.”