Flag Raising Ceremony and Opening Ceremony of the 66th Tien Phong Newspaper National Marathon and Long Distance Championship - 2025

The Organizing Committee of the Tien Phong Newspaper National Marathon and Long Distance Championship held the Flag Raising Ceremony and opened the 66th Tien Phong Newspaper National Marathon and Long Distance Championship - 2025 - Photo: M.Đ

At the Flag Raising Ceremony, delegates, heads of delegations, coaches, athletes and a large number of people witnessed the sacred moment in the background of the heroic national anthem, the red flag with a yellow star was raised to the top of the historic Hien Luong flagpole, representing the pride of the nation, the belief, will and strength of the Vietnamese revolution, the brilliant color of the history of the struggle to build and defend the Fatherland.

Delegates, athletes and people attend the Flag Raising Ceremony and Opening Ceremony of the 66th Tien Phong Newspaper National Marathon and Long Distance Championship - 2025 - Photo: M.Đ

Tien Phong Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Phung Cong Suong said that with each Tien Phong Newspaper National Marathon and Long Distance Championship, the Flag Raising Ceremony is always a meaningful and emotional event.

Organizing the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Hien Luong - Ben Hai National Historical Site within the framework of the tournament further enhances the spiritual value of the tournament. This is a journey to pay tribute to the past, arousing national pride in each participating athlete. Hien Luong - Ben Hai: "Just one river, one side is muddy / Just one bridge, one side is shameful, the other side is glorious" - two short verses, but fully summarize the pain and aspirations of the Vietnamese people during the years when the country was divided.

The river is nearly 100 meters wide, but it took the nation 21 years to reach the shore. A bridge without walls or ramparts separated millions of Vietnamese families. The separation was not only geographical but also emotional, relationship, and loved ones.

Every day that passes, on this side and the other side of the river, is a longing, a pain that cannot be expressed in words. "Hien Luong Bridge connects the North and the South/The banks of Hien Luong bridge connect the two regions" . The banks of Hien Luong - Ben Hai are also an immortal testament to the aspiration for national unification, a tragic song that many Vietnamese people sacrificed their blood and bones to write "The Triumphal Song".

Today, the Hien Luong - Ben Hai estuary has become a place where faith in a country rising up in the New Era - an Era in which the aspiration for national peace is forever engraved in the hearts of every Vietnamese person.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nam delivered the opening speech - Photo: M.D

Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong Newspaper Phung Cong Suong said: "Organizing the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Hien Luong - Ben Hai National Historical Site within the framework of the tournament further enhances the spiritual value of the tournament. This is a journey of gratitude to the past, arousing national pride in each participating athlete" - Photo: M.Đ

Immediately after the Flag Raising Ceremony, the opening ceremony of the 66th Tien Phong Newspaper National Marathon and Long Distance Championship - 2025 was held.

The tournament is held every March on the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (March 26) and Vietnam Sports Day (March 27). In 2025, the tournament is honored to be held in Quang Tri province, a steadfast and indomitable land, imbued with the spirit of the country with the message "Triumph Song" resounding with the heroic victory song of the Fatherland. This is also a special year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of the South and reunification of the country, marking a historical milestone in the cause of protecting and preserving the independence and sovereignty of the nation.

The 250 ^m2 national flag was spread across the grounds of the Hien Luong - Ben Hai National Historical Site with the meaning of connecting the everlasting solidarity of the Vietnamese people - Photo: M.Đ

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nam said that Quang Tri - a steadfast land has gone down in history with famous landmarks such as: Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Hien Luong - Ben Hai banks, Road 9 - Khe Sanh...

A place that witnessed the great sacrifices and losses of many generations. A land that carries the nation's eternal desire for peace that has moved peace-loving humanity. From the land of fire in the past, Quang Tri today has revived and is developing strongly day by day.

Hosting the Tien Phong Newspaper National Marathon and Long Distance Championship is an important opportunity for Quang Tri to promote the image of its homeland, people, culture and tourism potential to domestic and international friends.

The tournament gathered more than 7,500 athletes from all over the country, not only a sports playground but also demonstrated the solidarity and indomitable will of the Vietnamese people. With the theme "Triumph Song" - the past, present and future will be in harmony in every step of the athletes.

Athletes will feel the steps to remember and run to be proud of the heroic tradition of the nation on the sacred land of Quang Tri. Before the tournament, the Organizing Committee organized many meaningful activities such as: offering flowers, offering incense to pay tribute to heroic martyrs, releasing flower lanterns on Thach Han River... with the participation of many delegates, sponsors, referees, coaches, athletes...

These activities not only show deep gratitude but also arouse the pride and responsibility of those living today towards the history of the nation.

An art performance at the Flag Raising Ceremony and Opening Ceremony of the 66th Tien Phong Newspaper National Marathon and Long Distance Championship - 2025 - Photo: M.Đ

With a high sense of responsibility, Quang Tri province has prepared well in terms of facilities, logistics and organization to be ready for the tournament to take place successfully.

On behalf of the provincial leaders, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nam respectfully thanked the Vietnam Sports Department, the Vietnam Athletics Federation, Tien Phong Newspaper and accompanying units for trusting and choosing Quang Tri to organize the tournament; thanked the sports delegations, clubs and more than 7,500 athletes who have strived to overcome all their limits to become an important part of the tournament... Wishing the 66th Tien Phong Newspaper National Marathon and Long Distance Championship - 2025 a great success!

Minh Duc

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/le-thuong-co-va-khai-mac-giai-vo-dich-quoc-gia-marathon-va-cu-ly-dai-bao-tien-phong-lan-thu-66-nam-2025-192590.htm