Huynh, affectionately known as Tu, lives with her children and grandchildren in Thach Trung Ward, Ha Tinh Province, central Vietnam.
In her youth, she found time to walk 4-5 km a day despite working in the fields to support her family. Now, at 97 years old, with 9 children, 29 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, she still maintains her passion for exercise.
She warms up for a few minutes before heading to a volleyball court near her house to jog. She begins with a slow walk, gradually increasing her pace after two laps. On average, she jogs for 10-15 minutes every morning.
After her run, she returns home to rest briefly before heading to a nearby restaurant for breakfast at 7 a.m. Her favorite meals include beef noodle soup or pork rolls, each costing VND25,000-30,000 ($0.98-1.18).
"Breakfast is the most important meal to maintain energy for the day. I never skip meals, even when I'm tired," Huynh said.
Despite her age, Huynh remains active around the house, helping with light chores like sweeping floor, washing dishes and preparing vegetables, even though her family often insists she should rest.
If Huynh exercises too much, her grandson Vo Ta Nam (R), 35, will closely monitor her and ensure she takes breaks when necessary. He also reminds her to take her blood pressure and heart rate medication as prescribed.
During the day, she spends about two hours meditating and reading sutras, which she credits for her mental clarity and calmness.
Huynh often eats lunch and dinner with her children and grandchildren. She eats two full bowls of rice for each meal and does not have a separate diet.
"Exercising regularly helps me feel more appetizing," she said.
After lunch and an afternoon nap, at 2 p.m., Huynh's children often take her to a gym 3-4 km from home for her second workout of the day.
She first visited the gym in April 2024, after her family encouraged her to exercise indoors to avoid extreme weather conditions. Initially, she felt hesitant because the gym was full of young people, but she quickly grew to enjoy it.
On the treadmill, she runs while laughing and joking, sometimes moving her arms to the rhythm of the music. Each treadmill session lasts about 40 minutes.
Huynh said that when she feels tired, she tries to relax, breathe gently and her strength will return.
She loves chewing betel, a habit she enjoys several times a day in her free moments.
On dry days, she heads to a park 1 km from her house to jog around a lake in the evening. She typically runs two to three laps, covering a total of 3.5 km in 30-40 minutes, before returning home for dinner and rest.
Occasionally, Huynh participates in community fitness events organized by Thach Trung Ward, encouraging others to embrace an active lifestyle.
In the past six months, videos of Huynh running and exercising, captured by her family, have been posted on social media, attracting millions of views. Next up, she will participate in a short-distance race in Ha Tinh, invited by event organizers to inspire athletes and the local community.
In recent days, she has been watching videos on her phone and computer in the evening, learning about race formats and training techniques to prepare for the competition.
