The event has drawn the participation of 37 strong chess players from Hanoi, HCM City, Ben Tre, Can Tho, Kien Giang, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Ninh, Binh Dinh, Lam Dong, the Military and the host, Dong Thap.

In addition to defending champion Minh Huy, International Super Grandmasters Nguyen Anh Dung (from Quang Ninh) and Cao Sang (from Lam Dong) are also competing in the tournament.

Hanoi’s team, with Grandmaster Nguyen Van Huy and FIDE Master Tran Tuan Minh, promises to bring drama to the competition.

Some famous names such as Le Quang Liem, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Dao Thien Hai and Tu Hoang Thong are absent from the event as they are currently busy with foreign tournaments and other work.

The championship will continue until September 1.