"Vietnam Heritage Stride" is an online and offline running event co-organized by ABBank, the Vietnam Science and Technology Enterprise Startup Fund (SVF), and the Department of Science and Technology of Hue City. According to the rules, each valid kilometer run or walked will be converted into 10,000 VND donated to the Vietnam Heritage Craft Village Development Fund, with a maximum commitment of 1 billion VND.
The online race took place from 8/8 to 9/11 on the Vrace platform, allowing people to participate from anywhere. After 10 days, the program reached its fundraising commitment of 1 billion VND.
 |
The offline race in Hue City attracted many runners. Photo: ABBank |
The offline race in Hue City attracted many runners. Photo: ABBank
In parallel, the organizers also held a series of offline races in the north, central, and south, associated with the country's iconic heritage sites. Specifically, on 7/9 at the Cu Chi Tunnels (Ho Chi Minh City), on 14/9 at the Hue Imperial Citadel, and on 21/9 at Duong Lam Ancient Village (Hanoi).
The organizers said these events aim to create direct sports opportunities, while inspiring pride, connection, and spreading the spirit of heritage preservation within special cultural and historical spaces.
Notably, the race at the Hue Imperial Citadel on the morning of 14/9 saw the participation of more than 100 runners, including leaders of the People's Committee, departments and agencies of Hue City, along with leaders and staff of ABBank and SVF.
Nguyen Nha Quyen, Operations Director of SVF, said the "Vietnam Heritage Stride" run is part of the project "Innovation on Heritage, Promoting the Creative Cultural Industry, Developing a Sustainable Future". The project's goal is to build Vietnam into a strong creative nation based on cultural heritage, helping people take pride in their national identity, while "elevating" heritage through innovation, technology application, and digital transformation.
 |
Runners participate in the race at the Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: ABBank |
Runners participate in the race at the Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: ABBank
According to the organizers, the funds from the race will prioritize supporting typical craft villages in Hue and surrounding areas: Phuoc Tich pottery (Phong Dien), Sinh village paintings (Phu Mau), Thanh Tien paper flowers (Phu Vang), Bao La bamboo and rattan (Quang Dien), Zeng weaving (A Luoi - Nam Dong), My Lam conical hats (Phu Vang), and Loc Thuy cajuput oil (Phu Loc). The selected craft villages must meet the following criteria: desire for innovation, products with unique identities, market expansion potential, environmental friendliness, and positive community impact.
Tran Thi Thuy Yen, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Hue City, highly appreciated the project's positive impacts in promoting and developing craft village products associated with startups and science and technology. She affirmed that the agency will continue to collaborate for effective implementation in the locality.
 |
Pham Duy Hieu, CEO of ABBank, speaks at the Hue Imperial Citadel race event. Photo: ABBank |
Pham Duy Hieu, CEO of ABBank, speaks at the Hue Imperial Citadel race event. Photo: ABBank
An ABBank representative said this is one of the specific actions in the bank's pursued ESG strategy. In addition to business goals, the bank aims for harmonious development between community benefits, environmental protection, and social responsibility.
"ABBank wants to help traditional craft villages adapt to modern trends, enhance production capacity, and access markets, thereby affirming the value of Vietnamese heritage on the global creative map," emphasized Pham Duy Hieu, CEO of the bank.
The organizers hope that "Vietnam Heritage Stride" will become a widespread movement, arousing national pride and creating momentum to promote the creative cultural industry, linking traditional values with sustainable innovation.
(Source: ABBank)
