The day marked the 69th anniversary of an appeal by former President Ho Chi Minh for mass participation in sporting activities on March 27, 1946.

Among those attending the Olympic Day Run in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi were Vice Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and President of the Vietnam Olympic Committee Hoang Tuan Anh.

They were joined by fellow Government leaders, Hanoi leaders, officials and athletes, who joined around 3,000 participants in completing a 1,700 metre lap around the Hoan Kiem Lake, located at Ly Thai To Monument.

More than 3,000 people took part in the Olympic Day Run held in Hanoi
©Vietnam Olympic Committee


Tuan Anh encourage the gathered crowd of the important of living a healthy lifestyle, whilst reiterating the "sport for all" concept of "Uncle Ho".

His thoughts were echoed by Pham Van Tuan, Deputy Director of the General Department of Sport and deputy head of the event's steering committee, who outlined his belief that the Olympic Day run highlighted the importance of raising public awareness of participating in physical exercise.

Music and sport performances also took place at Ly Thai To Monument to mark the festivities, while between 300 and 500 people participated in a series of running events in across 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam to mark Olympic Day.

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