[Run For Love] Every Stride Is a Mile of Care

According to Dr. Anh Hong, West Lake is a land rich in legends, historical sites, and the imprint of generations of Hanoi residents. Therefore, choosing this space to host a community running event under the "Touch Hanoi's Autumn 2026" (Chạm Thu Hà Nội 2026) campaign carries a significance that extends beyond a mere sporting activity.

"Every inch of land around West Lake in particular, and Hanoi in general, is tied to a historical story. Thus, every running stride on this land serves as a reminder of the past and the enduring values that define the capital's cultural depth," Dr. Nguyen Anh Hong shared.

From that perspective, the footsteps around West Lake evoke lines from poet Nguyen Dinh Thi: "Night after night, rumbling in the sound of the earth / Ancient days echo back."

Amidst modern life, as thousands of people stride together along lakeside roads, the past and present seem to meet at a meaningful intersection. Familiar landmarks become part of a journey of discovery, allowing participants to further appreciate the cultural space in which they live.

This is also the core value Vietnam Airlines aims for through the "Touch Hanoi's Autumn" campaign—bringing heritage closer to the public through cultural, artistic, and sporting activities, while promoting the image of the capital.

When the Track Becomes a Place of Connection

To Dr. Nguyen Anh Hong, the valuable quality of Run For Love lies in the community spirit forged by the participants themselves. While a race can be judged by records, speed, or rankings, what interests Dr. Anh Hong more is how strangers find harmony along the exact same path.

"Why do we run? To be healthy. And why be healthy? To build Hanoi and build the country. Health here is not merely physical fitness but also mental well-being, because this activity connects the community. In this race, I see no rivalry of winning or losing, but clearly feel solidarity, kindness, and humanity," Dr. Hong noted.

That spirit shines through simple moments on the track: children completing the 1.5 km distance, friends encouraging each other along every stretch, or Vietnam Airlines colleagues catching up and sharing joy outside the workplace.

Each person joins Run For Love with a different goal, but on the same course, gaps in age, profession, or background gradually narrow, giving way to encouragement and mutual support.

For Vietnam Airlines, sustaining community sports activities aligns with its vision of caring for employees' spiritual lives, creating a positive work environment, and strengthening connections with customers and partners. These values form key social pillars in the airline's ESG sustainable development strategy.

Seeing Autumn Through the Light of the Heart

Among the stories of Run For Love, the image of visually impaired athletes running alongside guide runners leaves a deep impression on Dr. Nguyen Anh Hong.

While most participants experience autumn's beauty through golden sunlight, lake reflections, or roadside trees, visually impaired runners experience the journey through sound, cadence, and trust in their guides. One runner, one guide—two paces finding harmony to move forward together. The tether connecting them becomes a profound symbol of trust and partnership.

"The great humanistic value of Run For Love is bridging the gap between those who see light with their eyes and those who do not have that ability. These running steps unlock another dimension, allowing visually impaired runners to feel the beauty of Hanoi's autumn through the light of the soul, the light of the heart," Dr. Nguyen Anh Hong expressed.

This perspective opens up a deeper dimension to the message "Touch Hanoi's Autumn." Autumn can be felt with many senses, but human empathy is what truly renders the journey unforgettable.

Under the theme "Autumn in Motion, Love in Action – Bước chạy mùa thu, lan tỏa yêu thương", Run For Love 2026 takes athletes along the West Lake route during Hanoi's most beautiful autumn days.

Run For Love 2026 serves as the concluding event of the "Touch Hanoi's Autumn 2026" campaign, implemented by Vietnam Airlines under its 2025–2030 cultural and tourism development cooperation program with Hanoi City. Through cultural, artistic, and sporting activities, the campaign promotes the Capital's signature values while encouraging active lifestyles and community cohesion.

From footsteps along West Lake, Vietnam Airlines' social responsibility is demonstrated through warm, practical actions aimed at inclusion, equality, and sustainable development. Thus, Vietnam Airlines' spirit of "Boundless Care" (Vạn dặm nâng niu) continues seamlessly along Hanoi's roads, where every step cherishes heritage, community health, and noble human values.