Early programme before the main opening
Muay at Vietnam's tenth National Sports Games runs from October 20 to 30 in Đông Hòa ward, Ho Chi Minh City, with competitors from 25 units. Official bouts begin on October 22 after the draw, rather than on the first day of the programme.
Từ Thị Lê Na, the Vietnam sports authority's official responsible for muay, said national-level referees would oversee the competition to support fair and accurate officiating.
Muay is the second sport held early in the Games schedule. Table tennis completed seven events in Hai Phong in August. Both finish their technical programmes before the Games' overall opening ceremony, so the start of muay is not the opening of the entire multi-sport event.
Combat and performance formats
Men compete in seven combat weight divisions ranging from 45 to 63.5 kilograms. Women also have seven divisions, from below 45 to 63.5 kilograms. The combat competition uses a knockout format.
The programme additionally includes men's and women's wai kru and mai muay performances, in individual and pairs categories. After each round, the higher-scoring half of the athletes or teams advance. Wai kru routines last four to five minutes, while mai muay routines last five to six minutes.
These details set out the announced calendar and rules. They do not report completed October 22 bouts or medal results. The distinction between the programme's opening date, administrative preparations and the first official contests is central to the event's current status.