Nguyen Van Long ran 1,636km from Ho Chi Minh City and finished at Ba Dinh Square.

On the morning of September 2, marathoner Nguyen Van Long completed his third cross-country run from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. After 20 days, Long completed 1,636km, reaching the finish line at Ba Dinh Square (Hanoi).

Nguyen Van Long (left cover) on his 2025 cross-Vietnam journey arriving in Hanoi on September 2 - Photo: FBNV

Nguyen Van Long started his third cross-country run on August 13, 2025, starting in front of the Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs' Cemetery. Long's journey was to show his patriotism and celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025).

With a distance of 1,636km, Nguyen Van Long runs an average of 82km per day. The necessary items he carries on his person when running only weigh a total of 3.5kg. Following, cheering, and running with Long for the past 20 days are hundreds of athletes who love running for the cause along the length of the Fatherland from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi.

Long's final run took place on September 2, covering a distance of 48km from Ha Nam to the capital Hanoi on National Day.

Long's footsteps show his love for sports and patriotism - Photo: FBNV

Long has run across Vietnam twice before. In 2024, Long completed an incredible journey across Vietnam from Hanoi to the Independence Palace (Ho Chi Minh City) in 20 days, covering a distance of more than 1,800km.

In 2022, Long was recognized as the first Vietnamese person to run across Vietnam from Tra Co (Quang Ninh) to Ca Mau Cape with a distance of 2,656km in 34 consecutive days, an average of nearly 80km per day.

Not only running, Nguyen Van Long also helps spread the love of sports and donates money to charity.

Sharing with those who love and follow his journey when he finished at 9:30 a.m. on September 2, Nguyen Van Long said: "I am extremely happy because in 2024 I ran across Vietnam and finished at the Independence Palace (HCMC) on April 30. Today I finished at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 2025, celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day.

I have traveled 1,636km in 20 days of continuous running, overcome 2 storms, many steep passes... and finally arrived at the historic Ba Dinh Square on the great day of the nation. So proud. Thank you everyone for sending your wishes and accompanying me throughout the journey."

Nguyen Van Long (left cover) and his journey across Vietnam - Photo: FBNV

Who is Nguyen Van Long?

Nguyen Van Long (Gia Lai) is a familiar name to the long-distance running community in Vietnam as well as the national athletics team. He came to running quite late, at the age of 20 (in 2005).

From 2005 to 2013, Nguyen Van Long was a marathon athlete of Gia Lai province and achieved a lot of success. At the end of 2013, Long competed for the Can Tho athletics team, then Dong Nai in 2015. In 2019, he returned to Gia Lai until officially saying goodbye to his peak athletic career in 2021.

In addition to being a professional athlete, Long has been a running coach for amateurs for the past 10 years.

Nguyen Van Long's highest achievement in his career was winning the national marathon (42.195km) in 2009 and 2011. Winning the 2007 Southeast Asian marathon in the Vietnamese marathon team.

KHUONG XUAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguyen-van-long-chay-1-636km-tu-tp-hcm-da-can-dich-o-quang-truong-ba-dinh-20250902091109789.htm