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Vietnamese man recognised with world record for 6-metre fingernails

Guinness World Records have officially recognised 67-year-old Luu Cong Huyen from Ninh Binh as the man with the longest fingernails in the world, measuring a combined 594.45 cm.

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Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, awards the certificate to Luu Cong Huyen in January, 2025 (Photo: Guinness world records).

Huyen has been growing his nails for more than 34 years without cutting them, a personal passion supported by his wife. Despite the unusual feature, he continues to work as a painter and decorator to support his family.

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Huyen has raised his fingernails for 34 years.

Guinness researchers learned about Huyen in early 2024 through a Dantri article and began an investigation. In January 2025, officials visited Vietnam, met Huyen and carefully measured his nails. They confirmed he holds the world record for the longest fingernails on both hands.

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Huyen's achievement is featured in the 2026 Guinness World Records edition, which has been presented to him.

According to the results, the nails on his left hand measure 388.85 cm, and those on his right hand 205.6 cm. The longest is his left thumbnail at 127.5 cm. The record was certified at his home earlier this year, but the announcement was only made public on the Guinness website in September. Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, personally awarded the certificate.

Guinness described Huyen’s family as “friendly and hospitable”, noting that his pursuit reflects a long cultural tradition linking long nails with spirituality. His achievement is featured in the 2026 Guinness World Records edition, which has been presented to him.

The previous record belonged to American Melvin Boothe, whose nails reached a total length of 9.85 m. After Boothe’s death, the category had remained without a successor until Huyen’s recognition.

Speaking to Dantri on October 1, Huyen said he felt “delighted and honoured”. He dedicated the record to his wife, Nguyen Thi Thuan, crediting her daily support. “Without her help with my daily activities, including bathing and washing, I could not have maintained these nails,” he said.

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Huyen and his wife, Nguyen Thi Thuan.

Thuan said she has long been accustomed to assisting her husband in both daily life and work. Their son, Luu Cong Huan, expressed pride, saying his father’s unusual passion had become a life milestone.

Huyen explained that he initially grew his nails due to spiritual beliefs, once considering becoming a ritual master. Though he abandoned that path, he continued out of habit and a fear of ill health if he cut them. Over the decades, the nails have twisted into unique shapes, stained with colours from his mural work.

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Huyen has remained active as a craftsman, painting and sculpting at temples, pagodas and private homes. 

Despite scepticism about his ability to work, Huyen has remained active as a craftsman, painting and sculpting at temples, pagodas and private homes. His long nails present challenges, causing hand pain and restricting his travel, but he still earns a steady income while raising four children.

He said he plans to keep growing his nails as long as his health allows.

Source: Dtinews
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