The women's 5,000m was the first final of the championships, taking place at 6 a.m. Nguyen Thi Oanh (Bac Ninh) competed alongside Pham Thi Hong Le (Gia Lai), Le Thi Tuyet (Dak Lak), Bui Thu Ha (Thanh Hoa), Luong Thi Khan (Lang Son), Dinh Thi Thu Huong (Hai Phong), Luu Thi Thanh Tinh (TP HCM), and Duong Thi Quynh (Lang Son).

Nguyen Thi Oanh was unchallenged in her signature 5,000m event. Photo: Duc Dong.

Nguyen Thi Oanh holds the national record of 15 minutes 46.11 seconds, set at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships. Due to the early start time and cooler temperatures, the runners were able to perform at their best. Oanh faced little competition and easily finished first with a time of 16 minutes 28.78 seconds, becoming the first athlete to win a gold medal at the championships.

Le Thi Tuyet surprisingly surpassed veterans Hong Le and Thu Ha to win the silver medal with a time of 16 minutes 32.49 seconds. Thu Ha took the bronze with a time of 16 minutes 42.40 seconds.

In the men's 3,000m steeplechase final that followed, the two Ha Tinh athletes, Nguyen Trung Cuong and Le Tien Long, faced no significant competition. They led from the start, with Trung Cuong finishing first in 9 minutes 10.09 seconds. Tien Long came in second with 9 minutes 14 seconds. Luong Xuan Son (Phu Tho) won the bronze medal with a time of 9 minutes 35.05 seconds.

Trung Cuong and Le Tien Long in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase on the morning of 9/8 at Hoa Xuan Stadium. Photo: Duc Dong.

In the women's discus throw final, Le Thi Cam Dung (TP HCM) won the gold medal with a throw of 47.98 meters. Vo Thi Bich Tram (Da Nang) won silver with 46.96 meters, and Nguyen Vu Quynh Trang (Ninh Binh) took bronze with 45.89 meters.

In the men's high jump, Vu Duc Anh (Hai Phong) won the gold medal, clearing 2.14 meters. Nguyen Xuan Truong (Ninh Binh) secured silver with 2.12 meters, and Nguyen Quoc Thinh (Ca Mau) won bronze with 2.06 meters.

This afternoon, the championships will continue with sprint finals.

Duc Dong