Cycling tour kicks off to mark National Reunification Day The 28th Ho Chi Minh City Television Cycling Tournament – Ton Dong A Cup 2016 kicked off its first stage in Hanoi on April 10. The 28th Ho Chi Minh City Television Cycling Tournament opens in Hanoi on April 10, attracting the participation of 78 cyclists from 13 teams across the nation.  Held annually since 1988 by the Vietnam Sports Bicycle and Motorbike Federation and Ho Chi Minh City Television, the event celebrates the anniversary of the Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day (April 30). The tournament attracts the participation of 78 cyclists from 13 teams across the nation, competing in 19 stages covering a total of 2,100km throughout 17 provinces and cities. The final leg will end in Ho Chi Minh City on the historic day April 30. The total prize money to be awarded to winning cyclists throughout the tournament sits at over VND1 billion. In the first stage around Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake on Sunday, the yellow jersey for the overall race leader went to cyclist Nguyen Thanh Tam from An Giang Hat Ngoc Troi Rice team with the best overall time of 56'58". Not only did he win the individual title, but his excellent performance also helped his home team gain a lead over strong competitors such as VUS Ho Chi Minh City and ADC Vinh Long. On Monday, the race continues its second stage of 160km from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa. In each stage, the organisers and sponsors will present gifts and scholarships worth VND1 billion to disadvantaged children. Nhan Dan