'Following in Uncle Ho's Footsteps' and Heartwarming Moments
More than just a large-scale sporting event, the "Following in the Footsteps of Uncle Ho - For National Security" race held in Nghe An is also a journey back to historical roots, a place where patriotism, gratitude, and the aspiration to contribute converge, in order to continue following in the footsteps of President Ho Chi Minh.
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The raceFollowing in Uncle Ho's footsteps"For the security of the Fatherland" is not just a large-scale sporting event, but also a journey of returning with the heart, returning to the roots of the nation, to the ideals and love for the Fatherland passed down through generations. Over 2,100 athletes gathered in Nghe An, creating a vibrant atmosphere, spreading the spirit of noble sportsmanship and the resilient, enduring Vietnamese character. Among them were 15 police delegations from various localities with 143 athletes – those who not only ran with their feet, but also carried the memories of the land they came from and the pride of the profession they serve.
Sharing his thoughts on the program, Major General Le Xuan Duc - Head of the Specialized Research Board assisting the Minister of Public Security - emphasized: Among the participants in the race are athletes from Cao Bang – the first place to welcome President Ho Chi Minh back to the country in 1941, where the Viet Bac base was formed; from Bac Giang – where President Ho Chi Minh stopped five times during the resistance war; from the Mekong Delta – the resting place of Mr. Nguyen Sinh Sac, the father of President Ho Chi Minh; and from Ho Chi Minh City – the city named after President Ho Chi Minh, which recently solemnly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country… All of them converged on Nghe An province, so that each step taken today truly represents "following President Ho Chi Minh," in both the literal and figurative, most sacred sense.
For Major General Le Xuan Duc, the success of the race lies not in the numbers, but in the heartwarming moments: a veteran over 70 years old, still quietly striding in his military uniform, firmly holding the national flag; a 5-year-old child holding her mother's hand to complete the 5km race just to "follow in Uncle Ho's footsteps"; or two female athletes helping each other to the finish line after a challenging 21km race…
These images, simple yet profound, are proof of one thing: patriotism is present in every step, every breath, every silent glance throughout the journey.
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The 21km women's race at the "Following in the Footsteps of Uncle Ho - For National Security" running event concluded with an unforgettable image: two athletes holding hands and sprinting towards the finish line amidst the cheers of the spectators. It wasn't a breathtaking chase as is often seen, nor a decisive sprint, but a quiet yet profound ending – truly embodying the spirit of sportsmanship, unity, humanity, and nobility.
On the track that day, young talent Hoang Thi Ngoc Anh (born in 2006) - a member of the Vietnamese athletics team, had a dramatic two-way race with amateur star Doan Thi Oanh (from Vinh Phuc province). Ngoc Anh started at a high speed, clearly showing her intention to win the championship. “I was quite surprised to see Doan Oanh in the leading group with her usual endurance and agility. But because the weather was quite harsh today, I decided not to take risks, maintaining a steady pace to finish safely,” Ngoc Anh shared. When only a few meters from the finish line, the two athletes unexpectedly ran side-by-side and held hands. At the same time, Doan Thi Oanh deliberately slowed down, allowing Ngoc Anh to break through and cross the finish line first. “Because the race is named after…”Following in Uncle Ho's footsteps"Therefore, we wanted to demonstrate a spirit of noble sportsmanship and solidarity," Ngoc Anh explained about the handshake between the two athletes.
In the end, Ngoc Anh finished with a time of 1 hour, 23 minutes, and 51 seconds, just 2 seconds ahead of Oanh. But for many, what resonated wasn't the difference in time, but the moment when two generations overcame their limitations together – not through competition, but through mutual respect. It's an image that perfectly embodies the spirit this journey aims for: sharing, continuing, and working together for something greater than oneself.
On the sidelines of the race, Ms. Doan Thi Oanh shared: “For me, this is a special race. It takes place in President Ho Chi Minh's hometown and carries a very meaningful message during these historic days of May. I participated with my husband and brought my young son along so that he could set foot in this land of outstanding people and rich history – the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh. I hope my son will cultivate a patriotic spirit, learn from and emulate his example.”
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Among the thousands of athletes participating in the "Following in the Footsteps of Uncle Ho - For National Security" race, Le Dinh Anh Tu is one of the most well-known. Not because of his racing achievements, but because of the message he silently conveys with each step he takes. A native of Thanh Lien commune, Thanh Chuong district, currently living, studying, and working in Da Nang, Anh Tu – affectionately nicknamed "Xoi Xeo" in the running community – is loved by many not only for his positive spirit but also for his ability to "draw maps" – creating unique drawings from the running route itself.
Leading up to the April 30th National Day celebrations, before participating in the race, Tú successfully "drawn" a running track simulating the tank numbered 390 – a historical symbol of the tank entering the Independence Palace. On April 30th, he continued to complete a running track forming the shape of the red flag with a yellow star, along with the words "April 30th – Vietnam". Previously, on National Day, September 2nd, 2023, Tú amazed the online community by drawing an entire map of Vietnam – including Hoang Sa and Truong Sa – using only his feet and a GPS map.
To create images that are both proportionally accurate and aesthetically pleasing, Tú had to spend a lot of time studying the terrain and adjusting the routes so that each stroke matched his vision. “For some drawings, I had to ask permission from the locals to run through their yards and gardens. At first, everyone was surprised because they didn't understand why a stranger would run into their house. But when they heard me share my desire to draw the homeland with my own feet, everyone happily supported me,” Tú recounted, his eyes sparkling with emotion.
For Tú, running isn't just about health or competition; it's also a way of telling a story. "Run to remember, run to draw, run to be proud"—that's the motto the 23-year-old always upholds. Each step is a tribute, a way to connect with history, to live more worthily of the sacrifices his ancestors made. It is this same spirit that has motivated Tú not only to contribute to building the running movement in Da Nang and Nghe An, but also to aspire to become a physical education teacher—a person who sows the seeds of awareness for physical training andnational prideFor future generations.
race“Following in the Footsteps of Uncle Ho – For National Security” is the first large-scale sporting event directed by the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of Nghe An province, in coordination with the Vietnam People's Public Security Sports Association and the online newspaper VnExpress. The event commemorates the 135th anniversary of the birth of the great President Ho Chi Minh and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the People's Public Security Force. This is also the first event in a series of activities taking place in Uncle Ho's hometown this May.
