Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Tien Phong Half Marathon

TPO - The first Tien Phong Half Marathon - 2025, opened on the afternoon of December 13th at Van Phuc urban area (Ho Chi Minh City). The main event will take place from 4:00 AM on December 14th, with three race distances: 21.1km, 10km, and 5km for more than 2,000 male and female athletes.

Attending the opening ceremony were Mr. Nguyen Huy Ngoc - Director, Head of the Southern Regional Representative Office, Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department; Mr. Tang Huu Phong - Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam - Deputy Chief of the Office of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Mr. Nguyen Hong Tay - Deputy Head of the Southern Representative Office of the Ministry of Interior ; and Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Xuan Phuong - Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport.

On the organizing committee's side, there was journalist Phung Cong Suong - Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong newspaper , Head of the Organizing Committee; and journalist Ly Thanh Tam - Head of Tien Phong newspaper's representative office in Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Misses and beauties from the Miss Vietnam pageant: Miss Vietnam 2024 Ha Truc Linh; Arts and Media Ambassador and MC My Van; athletes, referees, volunteers, and more.

On the sponsoring side, there was Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dat - Director of Communications, Herbalife Vietnam Co., Ltd.; leaders of Satori Trading Joint Stock Company; Nestlé Vietnam Co., Ltd.; Van Phuc Real Estate Investment Joint Stock Company; Across Vietnam Joint Stock Company; Life Up Co., Ltd.; Hes Pharma Co., Ltd. - Udaqua Gel brand; Goya Production and Trading Co., Ltd.; Military Hospital 175; Phuc Thinh Packaging Co., Ltd.; Ho Chi Minh City University of Banking; and Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport.

At the opening ceremony, Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong newspaper, Phung Cong Suong, stated that in 1958, Tien Phong newspaper laid the foundation for Vietnam's oldest running event: the Tien Phong National Cross-Country Race, now the Tien Phong National Marathon and Long Distance Championship.

Journalist Phung Cong Suong - Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong newspaper, Head of the Organizing Committee, delivered the opening speech.

For nearly seven decades, the Tien Phong National Marathon and Long Distance Championship has become a symbol of endurance, dedication, and pioneering spirit in Vietnamese sports .

And it is on those same tracks that many golden names of Vietnamese athletics have successively matured and shone. From the first generation with the legend Bui Luong and coach Hoang Minh Phuoc, to the next generation such as Nguyen Van Thuyet, Luu Van Hung, Dang Thi Teo, Truong Thanh Hang… and the current generation including Nguyen Thi Oanh, Do Quoc Luat, Hoang Nguyen Thanh, Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa, Pham Thi Hong Le. Each athlete, each stride leaves its own mark, enriching the tradition and the aspiration to conquer Vietnam's oldest and most prestigious running race.

According to journalist Phung Cong Suong, what gives the Tien Phong National Marathon and Long Distance Championship its special vitality is its unwavering pursuit of pioneering values. Tien Phong newspaper always knows how to innovate and create, and above all, seek out regions rich in cultural identity to build race routes, bringing sports closer to the community while maintaining high organizational standards.

Despite being newly established, the Tien Phong Half Marathon fully inherits the extensive organizational experience and pioneering spirit of the Tien Phong National Marathon and Long Distance Championship.

And the launch of the Tien Phong Half Marathon in Ho Chi Minh City today is not simply about choosing a venue. It's a message about vision, about the aspiration to expand the Tien Phong sports brand to the most vibrant running scene in the country.

“With the theme 'Green Journey - Giving Trust, Receiving Happiness', the first Tien Phong Half Marathon - 2025 is a journey to spread a positive spirit, awaken awareness of environmental protection, and create a healthy lifestyle, thereby contributing to honoring the image of Ho Chi Minh City as dynamic, friendly, modern, and vibrant. We hope that each step of the athletes in the race not only leads to the finish line but also conveys aspirations for a green, sustainable, and happy future for everyone,” the Head of the Organizing Committee expressed his expectations.

Spreading the spirit of healthy living through the Tien Phong Half Marathon 2025

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Tang Huu Phong, Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, encouraged the athletes, saying, "I think that all the athletes participating in today's race have gone through many difficulties and different stages, so the short rain just now was insignificant compared to the athletes' abilities. This is only the first challenge in the Tien Phong Newspaper Half Marathon."

Mr. Tang Huu Phong - Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee.

Mr. Tang Huu Phong stated that in recent years, Tien Phong newspaper has been closely associated with Ho Chi Minh City not only through social activities such as Red Sunday, the "One Nation" Golf Tournament, the Vietnam Pickleball Championship, etc., but also through spreading the city's positive message to readers, youth union members, and students nationwide.

According to the Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, the running movement in Ho Chi Minh City is developing strongly, spreading from the city center to suburban areas, attracting even the foreign community to participate.

“This is the first Half Marathon held in Ho Chi Minh City, but in my opinion, Tien Phong newspaper has promptly grasped the needs of the people. This race is very attractive,” Mr. Tang Huu Phong emphasized.

Representatives from the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee highly appreciated the spirit of the first Tien Phong Half Marathon - 2025, as it both meets the needs of professional and amateur athletes and contributes to promoting a healthy lifestyle for the community. “The race not only serves athletes but also promotes a green, beautiful, joyful, and healthy lifestyle in Ho Chi Minh City.”

On behalf of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Mr. Tang Huu Phong expressed his gratitude to Tien Phong newspaper , the Vietnam Athletics Federation, and other partners for choosing Ho Chi Minh City as the venue for the tournament. He also expressed his hope that the city will continue to host many major sporting events organized by Tien Phong newspaper in the future.

"When each citizen is healthy, the country becomes healthier."

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dat – Director of Communications for Herbalife Vietnam, said that Herbalife Vietnam was honored to be a diamond and nutrition sponsor of the tournament.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dat – Director of Communications at Herbalife Vietnam, delivered a speech.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dat further stated that Herbalife is a business operating in the field of nutrition and fitness, aiming to contribute to nurturing community health and happiness by encouraging scientific nutrition combined with an active lifestyle. Therefore, partnering with Tien Phong newspaper 's running events over the years, including the first-ever Tien Phong Half Marathon held in Ho Chi Minh City, reflects a shared value and long-term vision.

“Through the marathons organized by Tien Phong newspaper in many localities across the country, we and the newspaper contribute to spreading the spirit of physical training and sports, while promoting the image, culture, history, and tourism potential of these localities to a wide audience of people and international friends,” shared the Director of Communications for Herbalife Vietnam.

Highly appreciating the appeal of the first-ever race held in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dat stated that the large participation of both professional and amateur athletes demonstrates the growing popularity of running and sports training. More importantly, the race not only aims to complete the course but also contributes to forming a habit of regular physical exercise. This aligns with the State's general policy of improving public health.

Journalist Phung Cong Suong - Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong newspaper, Head of the Organizing Committee, presented a commemorative plaque to Herbalife Vietnam.

Mr. Tang Huu Phong, Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, presented commemorative medals to the participating units.

Journalist Ly Thanh Tam - Head of the Tien Phong newspaper's representative office in Ho Chi Minh City, presented commemorative plaques to the partner organizations.

From a nutritional business perspective, the Communications Director of Herbalife Vietnam emphasized the role of balanced nutrition before, during, and after sports training. Ensuring adequate nutrients helps athletes maintain energy, endurance, recover quickly, and make health care a daily habit, leading to long-term health goals.

Representatives from Herbalife Vietnam expressed their gratitude to Tien Phong newspaper – the organizer of this prestigious and meaningful marathon series for many years; and also expressed their appreciation for the support of relevant authorities, departments, and especially the participation of the athlete community – those who contributed to the success of the Tien Phong Half Marathon.

"We believe that when each individual is healthier, the community and the country will also become healthier."

Nguyen Thanh Dat, Director of Communications for Herbalife Vietnam

At the opening ceremony of the 2025 Tien Phong Half Marathon, athlete Nga Vo – representing all participating athletes – stepped onto the podium to take the oath, affirming the spirit of sportsmanship and committing to competing fairly.

“On behalf of the athletes participating in the Tien Phong Half Marathon 2025, we pledge: To compete with a spirit of noble sportsmanship, solidarity, honesty, and fairness; to strictly abide by the regulations and rules of the referees and the Organizing Committee; to strive to surpass ourselves, persevere, and do our utmost to complete the registered event,” athlete Nga Vo swore.

Russian athlete Vo represented over 2,000 athletes in taking the oath.

Mr. Vo Van Hao, representing the referees, took the oath at the opening ceremony.

Representing the refereeing force, Mr. Vo Van Hao - Lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports, took the oath: “During the performance of our duties, we always adhere to the tournament regulations and the rules of the Organizing Committee. We perform our duties with a high sense of responsibility, ensuring honesty, fairness, and accuracy, and preventing personal factors or external influences from affecting the competition results. We pledge to contribute to making the tournament safe, lawful, and successful.”

Diamond and Nutrition Sponsor: Herbalife Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Sponsors: Revive brand, Satori Trading JSC; Nestlé Milo brand; Vinamika Vietnam Co., Ltd.; Skechers Vietnam Trading Co., Ltd.; Van Phuc Real Estate Investment JSC; Bibica JSC; Lotte Vietnam Shopping Center JSC; Across Vietnam JSC; Life Up Co., Ltd.; Hes Pharma Co., Ltd. - Udaqua Gel brand; GOYA Production and Trading Co., Ltd.; Phuc Thinh Packaging Co., Ltd.; Vietnam National Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Corporation; Ho Chi Minh City University of Banking; Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport.

Medical Sponsorship Unit: Military Hospital 175.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/khai-mac-tien-phong-half-marathon-nam-2025-post1804397.tpo