HANOI, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Badminton players from 12 Asia-Pacific countries and region, including those in the world's top 50, will compete against each other in Vietnam this month.

    An international badminton tournament named Robot Vietnam Satellite will be held in southern Ho Chi Minh City from April 19-23 with the participation of players from China's Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Laos, Cambodia, and the host country, the Vietnam Badminton Association said Tuesday.

    Many players in the world's top 50 such as Hong Kong Chan Yan Kit (currently ranked the 36th), Thai Sapkulchananart Poompat (ranked the 37th), and Hong Kong woman player Yip Pui Yin (ranked the 19th) have registered to participate in the five-day tournament.

    "We have pinned the greatest hope on Nguyen Tien Minh, Vietnam's No. 1 player. He won a bronze medal at the men's singles in a similar tournament held in Ho Chi Minh City last May," the association said.

    Vietnam has also hoped that its players would advance into the semifinals at the two events of mixed doubles and men's doubles, according to the association. Enditem