Vietnam’s top track and field athlete, Nguyen Thi Oanh, has begun her Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday with her family while continuing to maintain her fitness. The elite runner has returned to her hometown in Bac Giang to celebrate Tet 2025, taking advantage of the break granted by the Vietnam national athletics team. This year, the team has permitted its athletes to take time off for the holiday, but they are still expected to follow individual training plans to maintain their physical condition.
Before starting her Tet break, Nguyen Thi Oanh competed in the Northern Tet Run, a half-marathon event, where she secured first place in the 21km race with a time of 1 hour, 15 minutes, and 36 seconds. Her victory reaffirmed her dominance in Vietnam’s long-distance running scene and her commitment to staying in top form.
Despite the holiday, Nguyen Thi Oanh remains dedicated to her training regimen. She shared that she will continue to follow the specialized training program provided by her coaches, ensuring that she stays in peak physical condition. “During Tet, I will still train daily to maintain my endurance. I follow the running distance planned by my coach to avoid any drop in performance. Additionally, I will be mindful of my diet to stay in optimal shape,” she stated.
According to the Vietnam national athletics team’s schedule, athletes will regroup on February 2 (the fifth day of the Lunar New Year). With nearly ten days of break, Nguyen Thi Oanh emphasized that she has experience maintaining her training routine independently and is confident that her preparation will not be affected. However, she also expressed her joy at being able to spend time with her family during the festive season. “Spending time with my loved ones during Tet brings me happiness and motivation. It’s an opportunity for me to recharge before diving into intense training sessions for upcoming competitions,” she added.
Vietnam’s athletics federation remains discreet about Nguyen Thi Oanh’s strategic training plan for the SEA Games 33 in late 2025. However, she is expected to continue competing in multiple endurance events, including the 1,500m, 3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m, and 10,000m, in which she secured four gold medals at the SEA Games 32 in Cambodia.
“Nguyen Thi Oanh is an athlete with a strong sense of discipline and professionalism. She always follows her training routine diligently, even when away from the national team,” said Nguyen Duc Nguyen, head of the track and field division at the General Department of Sports and Physical Training. Coach Tran Van Sy also emphasized that all national team athletes are expected to maintain their fitness levels during the Tet break, as they will be competing in crucial tournaments immediately afterward.
With 70 athletes currently training under the Vietnam national athletics team’s supervision, the upcoming months will be critical for preparation. As a key figure in Vietnamese athletics, Nguyen Thi Oanh remains focused on maintaining her form and defending her titles at the SEA Games and other major international competitions in 2025.
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