“Dancing is a wonderful form of exercise; first of all, it helps keep the body healthy and, secondly, it brings joy, and when you are happy, you feel joy,” said 89-year-old Bui Xuan Dinh. His words captured the spirit of October 10 at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi, where the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism officially launched the 2026 National Sports Training Movement under the banner “A nation in movement – For a healthy and strong Vietnam,” urging residents of all generations to integrate regular physical routines into daily life.
Capital Streets and Parks Transform Into Open-Air Gyms
Organized in coordination with partner agencies, the launch ceremony was designed to inspire citizens to select suitable athletic activities and maintain consistent training habits. Across Hanoi’s public areas, the response has been immediate and visible. Parks, squares, and open-air facilities now host morning and evening fitness routines, with residents utilizing the urban landscape for walking, jogging, badminton, basketball, and outdoor gym workouts. This flexibility allows individuals to tailor their regimen to personal physical conditions and schedules. Students, meanwhile, regularly utilize spaces such as the basketball court at the Academy of Journalism and Communication to stay active.
Eighty-Nine-Year-Old Dancer Bridges Generations and Nationalities
At 89 years old, Bui Xuan Dinh stands as a living testament to lifelong physical engagement. Having practiced dance for over two decades, he trains both morning and afternoon whenever time permits. For Dinh, movement is not merely a tool for health maintenance, but a bridge for community connection. He frequently invites fellow dancers and foreign visitors to join him spontaneously, forging social bonds among people who share common interests regardless of nationality.
Student Overcomes Screen Fatigue Through Daily Routine
A very different motivation drives 19-year-old student Duong Hai Anh. Physical exercise became a structured daily habit during middle school following a period of declining health and stress. Hai Anh reports that regular training reduced her screen time while increasing opportunities to connect with nature and her surrounding community. Emphasizing that long-term physical activity requires personal interest and health awareness, she noted that consistent fitness routines depend fundamentally on starting with an enjoyable hobby.
Accessibility Trumps Rigid Regimens in Nationwide Framework
Rather than enforcing a uniform training program, the national initiative accommodates varied fitness preferences. Public spaces such as Nghia Do Park host crowds engaged in walking and jogging, while others utilize outdoor equipment areas for light physical exercise. The overarching framework of the 2026 movement prioritizes accessibility over strict methodology, encouraging participants to begin with simple routines aligned with their individual capacities.
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