Nguyen Van Long, also known by the runner community as Long Marathon or "Long Dung Nhan", plans to run through three Indochinese countries to celebrate this important occasion.
However, due to insufficient funding, he decided to do a third cross-country challenge. To be different from the previous 2 times, this time, he chose to go alone without a logistics team, no support vehicles, only carrying a backpacking suit with a few essential items and items.
He shared: "I went alone, without a logistics team, without a support vehicle and all the clothes and necessities, I always carried a backpacking on my wrist."
Aiming to complete 1,636 km in 20 days, he built a detailed schedule for each day, from departure time, rest, to meals. The erratic rainy and sunny weather affected the progress many times, but he always made up for it in the following days to keep the plan.
Even if it rains, I still achieve my goals, he added.
For him, the biggest difficulty was the consecutive rainy days that caused his feet to swell and bleed. However, thanks to his determination as well as the support of the runner community everywhere, he still persevered in moving forward.
Although it was his personal journey, Mr. Long affirmed that he had never felt lost. In each locality, he received welcome and support from the runner community, along with words of encouragement through livestreams.
He emphasized: "I am confident that I am not alone because I am loved by the runner community nationwide."
Facing long routes, he always maintains a principle: In my mind, when I have done it, there is no such thing as give up, stop, just try to do your best.
By the 18th day of the journey, he had lost more than 4 kg, and his strength was declining. But for him, spirit is still the biggest motivation, helping him aim for the capital Hanoi as planned.
On September 1, Mr. Long updated that he had completed the 19th day of his journey across Vietnam. "So even though it was raining, even though it was sunny, Long completed the 19th with 90km before the rain started again. There are only more than 48km left to end a run across the border for the third time, he expressed.
He is expected to complete the goal on September 2.
Not only a physical journey, this run is also a spiritual message that he wants to give to the community, especially the younger generation.
I want to spread a connected lifestyle, confidence and boldness, especially the special meaning of this third cross-country journey across Vietnam is to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, he said.
