Vietnamese flag flies in Rio Olympic village

The ceremony was attended by deputy head of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training Tran Duc Phan, who is also head of the Vietnamese delegation to Rio and some 30 Vietnamese athletes.

A total of 42 Vietnamese athletes entered the Rio athletes’ village while eight others from the wrestling, badminton and rowing teams are set to arrive in Rio de Janeiro on August 2.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 29 finalised a list of 50 athletes and officials, under Phan, to take part in the Summer Games.

The athletes will compete in 10 sports.

Vietnam did not win any gold medals in the London 2012 Games but has won two silvers at the Olympics overall - one in taekwondo from Sydney 2000, and one in weightlifting from Beijing 2008.

The Rio Olympics will open on August 5 and finish 16 days later.