Running from July 15 to 23, the championship is co-organized by the International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT), the Sports Authority of Vietnam, and the Dong Nai provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The participating delegations include India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and host Vietnam.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Director of the Dong Nai provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, highlighted pencak silat as a symbol of martial arts spirit, respect, and regional solidarity.

She affirmed that host Dong Nai province is working closely with relevant agencies to ensure a professional, safe, and well-organized tournament.

Athletes are competing in both combat (tanding) and artistic (seni) disciplines, featuring 13 weight classes for men, 11 for women, alongside open weight divisions and creative solo categories.

Vietnam enters the competition looking to defend its top overall position, having secured 17 gold, 4 silver, and 7 bronze medals at the 2025 championship in Ha Tinh province.

To prepare for this year's event, the Vietnamese national team underwent intensive training focused on adapting to the newly implemented competition rules. For the host nation, the tournament serves as a valuable opportunity for domestic athletes to compete against the continent's top martial artists ahead of upcoming international events.

Vietnam to host Asian Pencak Silat Championships for second straight year

VOV.VN - Vietnam will host the 2026 Asian Pencak Silat Championships from July 15 to 23 in Dong Nai city after successfully staging last year's tournament, becoming the event's host for the second consecutive year.