For over a decade, CJ Group, a South Korean conglomerate, has consistently invested in the development of Vietnamese Taekwondo as a sponsor and builder of a systematic sports ecosystem. In a context where private investment in sports is still limited, CJ is considered one of the few foreign corporations with a long-term, systematic strategy for a specific martial art.
Starting in 2012, the company sponsored the national team and supported the organization of domestic tournaments. In 2019, CJ Group, along with the Vietnam Taekwondo Federation, established the National Youth Championship, a professional platform for teenage and young athletes, to discover new talent for the national team.
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Athletes competing in tournaments sponsored by CJ. Photo: CJ |
Athletes competing in tournaments sponsored by CJ. Photo: CJ
A major turning point came in 6/2025 with the official launch of the CJ Vietnam Open International Taekwondo Championship in Ho Chi Minh City. This was the first G1 level tournament held in Vietnam, attracting 112 athletes from 13 countries and territories. By meeting the Olympic ranking point standards of the World Taekwondo Federation (WT), the tournament contributed to enhancing the international competitiveness of Vietnamese athletes, while marking CJ's efforts to expand its international sports influence within the Vietnamese market.
The company's vision for sustainable development is demonstrated not only through organizing tournaments but also by investing in expertise. For many years, the conglomerate has sent South Korean coaches to work long-term in Vietnam. One example is Kim Gil-tae, who has been with the Hanoi women's team since 2017 and helped the team win three gold medals and two silver medals at the 2025 CJ tournament. This achievement earned him the title of "Best Female Coach".
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Opening ceremony of the CJ Vietnam Open International Taekwondo Championship, June 2025. Photo: CJ |
Opening ceremony of the CJ Vietnam Open International Taekwondo Championship, June 2025. Photo: CJ
Truong Thi Kim Tuyen, a prominent figure in Vietnamese Taekwondo today, also developed through the system supported by CJ. She won a silver medal at the 2017 World Championship, participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and recently won a gold medal at the 2025 CJ Vietnam Open International Taekwondo Championship.
CJ Group states that it pursues the philosophy of "sowing the seeds of dreams" in all its social investment activities. With Vietnamese Taekwondo, this support is demonstrated through the orientation and strategy of organizing international standard tournaments within the country, providing athletes with more opportunities to compete without the expense of traveling abroad.
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Vietnamese team members achieving high results at the tournament. Photo: CJ |
Vietnamese team members achieving high results at the tournament. Photo: CJ
According to CJ, the investment in sports reflects a growing trend in the global strategies of large South Korean corporations: a parallel focus on business development and promoting socio-cultural influence. For CJ, its involvement in Taekwondo is part of its long-term commitment to Vietnam, a key market for the conglomerate in food, entertainment, logistics, and retail.
(Source: CJ Group)
