Nguyen Van Long
On August 14, Long lit incense at the city’s Martyrs’ Cemetery before setting off on his journey. His final destination is Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, where he expects to arrive on September 2.
An experienced long-distance runner, Long has twice completed trans-Vietnam runs, but unlike previous attempts supported by a logistics team, this time he chose to travel alone.
He carries only essentials such as clothes, a raincoat, shoes, water bottle, sports watch and headlamp. “Because I am going alone, I must bring everything with me. I want this journey to be a personal milestone, a challenge to overcome and a way to show pride during the national celebration,” he said.
Long aims to cover an average of 82km per day and complete the 20-day run, compared with nearly 100km per day on his earlier attempts. He usually starts at 4am, runs until late morning, rests, then resumes from 1pm until about 5.30pm. At night, he stays in small hotels, writes his diary and updates followers on social media.
His journey has drawn attention from friends, running enthusiasts and the public, who follow his live streams and send words of encouragement. Despite the intensity of the run, he maintains a simple diet of porridge, rice, noodles and vegetables, with milk before bed.
Speaking to Dantri/Dtinews on the fourth day of his run, Long said poor weather on the first day prevented him from reaching his daily target, but he quickly made up the distance later. “The encouragement of the community and the meaning of September 2 give me strength to keep moving forward,” he said.
Along the way, he has been met with curiosity and support from locals. Many wave, ask about his journey or offer him refreshments. “One driver gave me a can of soda and wished me well, which gave me energy to continue. At roadside stalls, people often let me rest and recover. I travel alone, but I never feel lonely. The kindness I receive along the road is more valuable than any material support,” he shared.
Long (centre) poses for a photo with some sports lovers he meets on the way.
By the evening of August 17, Long had reached Dak Lak Province. His final goal is to arrive in Hanoi on September 2 and pay his respects at the mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh.
