HANOI — The Hanoi People’s Committee has launched the 50th Run for Peace and the 2025 Olympic Run Day.
The event was organised to celebrate major holidays in 2025, the 79th anniversary of the Traditional Day of Vietnamese Sports (March 27, 1946-2025) and the 80th anniversary of the National Day (September 2, 1945-2025).
More than 4,000 athletes, coaches, officials and people of the capital took part in the launch.
Around 350,000 people are expected to take part in running activities in March as a response to the campaign ‘All people exercise following the example of great President Hồ Chí Minh’.
They are also pushed to compete in qualifications to secure their slots in the final of the Run for Peace event, which is scheduled in September.
Since the first tournament was held in 1974, Run for Peace has become a familiar name to many generations of people in the capital and other cities and provinces. The event aims to spread the Olympic sports spirit, while promoting physical exercise.
It was stated: “Hanoi is always among the top delegations in national elite sport competitions. The city’s athletes also achieve high results at regional, continental and world tournaments.
“They have contributed significantly to the overall achievements of Vietnamese sports. Among them, many excellent athletes of the capital have grown up from grassroots sports, including the Run for Peace.”
It was added that the running activities would help improve people’s physical health and build a healthy lifestyle and cultural environment.
At the same time it would raise people’s awareness of the role of health training, contributing to reducing medical costs and improving quality of life.
Run for Peace
“Run for Peace” is not a specific place or cultural site, but rather a recurring international event promoting peace and unity through running. It was established to bring together people from diverse backgrounds in a shared, non-competitive activity. The event symbolizes a global movement that uses physical activity as a platform for fostering dialogue and solidarity.
Olympic Run Day
“Olympic Run Day” is an annual global event established by the International Olympic Committee to promote fitness and the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect. It was first held in 1987 and encourages people of all ages and athletic abilities to participate in a run or other physical activity in their local communities.
Traditional Day of Vietnamese Sports
The Traditional Day of Vietnamese Sports is a cultural observance held annually on March 27th, established in 1946 by President Ho Chi Minh. It serves to promote physical fitness, national pride, and the spirit of sportsmanship among the Vietnamese people. The day is marked by various sporting events and activities held across the country.
National Day
“National Day” is a general term for a country’s primary patriotic holiday, commemorating a pivotal moment in its history such as independence, the founding of the nation, or the establishment of its republic. For instance, France’s Bastille Day (July 14) marks the start of the French Revolution, while the United States’ Independence Day (July 4) celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. These holidays are typically observed with national ceremonies, parades, and public festivities that reflect the country’s identity and heritage.
Hanoi People’s Committee
The Hanoi People’s Committee is the city’s main administrative headquarters, housed in a magnificent French colonial-era building completed in 1906. Originally named the Hôtel de Ville de Hanoi, it was designed as the seat of the municipal government during the French Indochina period and remains a prominent landmark in the city’s historic center.
President Hồ Chí Minh
President Hồ Chí Minh is the revered founding father of modern Vietnam, who led the nation’s struggle for independence from colonial rule. The cultural sites dedicated to him, most notably his Mausoleum in Hanoi, serve as a major pilgrimage destination and a symbol of Vietnamese sovereignty and revolutionary spirit.
Olympic sports spirit
The Olympic sports spirit is a modern concept rooted in the ancient Greek Olympic Games, which promoted a sacred truce and celebrated human physical excellence. Revived in the late 19th century, its core philosophy is embodied in the Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (Faster, Higher, Stronger) and emphasizes values like fair play, international unity, and personal excellence over victory.
Vietnamese sports
Vietnamese sports have a long history rooted in traditional martial arts and indigenous games, but were significantly shaped during the French colonial period with the introduction of Western sports. Today, the country has a strong focus on Olympic disciplines like weightlifting and shooting, with football (soccer) standing as the most popular and passionately followed sport nationwide.
