At ITC, taking care of the physical and mental well-being of our employees has always been a top priority. Especially after two years of disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our 2022 company trip to the coastal city of Ha Long on June 4th felt like a refreshing breeze, greatly anticipated and wholeheartedly embraced by all ITC members. While Ha Long Bay is a familiar tourist destination, sharing meaningful moments there with the ITC family made this trip a truly distinctive and memorable experience.
True to ITC’s disciplined spirit, the whole company boarded the buses at exactly 8:30 AM on June 4th and headed to Ha Long. The journey took approximately 3.5 hours, during which a dedicated tour guide introduced us to the local people, specialties, and must-try experiences. Ha Long greeted us with blue skies, white clouds, golden sunshine, and a delightfully pleasant breeze.
Leaving behind Hanoi’s scorching heat, we fully embraced the fresh sea air. After lunch, we checked in and rested at the 4-star Novotel Hotel, one of the city’s premier accommodations, to recharge for an exciting afternoon ahead.
That afternoon, at Ha Long Open Football Field, a thrilling match took place between the 8x and 9x teams, part of the ITC JSC 27th Anniversary Football Tournament.
Under the intense summer sun, the match began with enthusiastic cheers from the fans. As expected, the younger 9x team, using their energy and smart strategy, scored the opening goal in the first half. However, early in the second half, the experience and long-time synergy of the 8x team helped them equalize. The entire field erupted with joy when the 8x team scored the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory.
Right after the match, the Chairman of the Board awarded medals and the prestigious ITC Cup 2022 trophy to the winning team, and jokingly promised the 9x team a six-month cardio training course, confident they would take the crown in the future.
The next morning, employees had free time to explore Ha Long. It was a great opportunity to experience the city’s unique charms, including must-try local delicacies like squid sausage rice rolls and pearl yogurt. With mild sunshine and sea breezes, the weather was perfect for ITC’s “supermodels” to strike a pose along the white sand beaches.
“The sea this season is incredibly beautiful…
Crystal waves lap at the shore
Islands scattered across the distant horizon
Mountains rise high, shrouded in mist
In twilight hues of indigo and lavender.”
After a delicious seafood lunch, we headed to the pier to check in at Vinpearl Reu Island. Just 2 km from downtown Ha Long, this is the first and only resort in Northern Vietnam built entirely over the sea. Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long, inspired by the Rennes Opera House in France, resembles a majestic palace. Upon arriving, everyone was awestruck by the luxurious, refined atmosphere. The resort’s landscape left a lasting impression with its three private beaches, lush greenery, and a sprawling 1,200m² outdoor pool.
At 3:30 PM on June 5th, all ITCers gathered at the west beach of Reu Island for the ITC Sports Festival 2022 – part of the 27th anniversary celebration.
The scorching sun and sea breeze only fueled the fiery enthusiasm of our staff. After randomly drawing teams, participants dove into a series of thrilling, challenging, and laugh-out-loud games – including the tug of war elimination round and the dodgeball finals. To win, teams needed not only physical strength, but also mental sharpness and, above all, a burning team spirit.
In the tug of war round, all four teams used their own strategies, united by one goal – victory. It was a closely matched contest, and perhaps a bit of luck helped the Blue and Orange teams advance to the final round of dodgeball.
Photo: Competitors giving their all in the Tug of War
The Blue and Orange teams then faced off in a game with simple rules: throw and dodge. However, the match demanded high levels of focus, agility, and powerful throws. In a standout performance, Mr. Lamnt led the Blue team with his quick, spinning throws. Yet the Orange team had two secret weapons: Mr. Quang’s deceptive curveballs, and veteran Mr. Ha with fast, forceful throws that took out numerous opponents. In the end, the Orange team emerged victorious, earning the title of Best Team.
Photo: Players excited during the dodgeball match
In addition to the group games, the Mr. & Ms. Sports ITC 2022 individual competition also drew enthusiastic participation. In the first round, all ITCers took part in sprint races – 100m for men and 50m for women – on Ha Long beach. Each race featured 5–6 competitors of similar age and fitness levels. The top finishers advanced to the second round: long jump.
Photo: Fierce races among ITC brothers and sisters
As expected, the competition was intense, with everyone pushing their limits to showcase their abilities. This perfectly reflects the ITC spirit – giving 200% in both work and life. In the end, the title of Ms. Sports went to Thanhlt, a well-deserved reward for her consistent training. Meanwhile, the Mr. Sports title was a surprise win for Phongtn, who impressed everyone with a phenomenal long jump in the final round.
Photo: A nail-biting final with the long jump challenge
Photo: Chairman Nguyen Quang Son with Mr. & Ms. Sports ITC 2022
After going all out in the competition, ITCers seemed to gain a second wind as they dove into the cool sea, showing off their swimming skills and enjoying evening activities at Vinpearl Reu Island.
Photo: Vinpearl Reu beach at night
We wrapped up the trip with three high-quality buffet meals at the resort before boarding the bus back to the city. Ha Long bid farewell to ITC with a classic summer shower, soothing the blazing sun and leaving a refreshing, seaside scent in the air.
Photo: ITC team in Ha Long – June 6
This vacation is one of ITC’s annual activities designed to provide moments of relaxation after a year of hard work, to show appreciation for employees’ dedication, and to strengthen the bonds among team members – all to fuel us with greater spirit and unity for the road ahead.
On behalf of all the members of the company, we sincerely thank the Board of Directors, the Organizing Committee, and the Trade Union for making it possible for ITCers to enjoy such a meaningful trip—one filled with unforgettable memories, relaxing moments, and endless laughter.
Let’s take a look back at the memorable moments of the ITC family in Ha Long:
