Sacombank and the Viet Nam Youth Federation have kicked off the seventh stage of the walking/running programme “Steps for the Community”, targeting to reach one million km of walking or running to contribute VND1 billion (US$42,171) to build a community cultural house for the Co Lao ethnic minority.

Opened in the city of Ha Tinh, Ha Tinh Province on September 17, the programme takes place simultaneously in 63 provinces and cities across the country.

The programme’s registration portal at sacombankrunnersclub.com and Sacombank Runners app have officially opened and will record participants' contributions until midnight on October 9, 2022.

The programme does not specify a minimum distance, and participants can walk or run at an average speed of four minutes per km to 20 minutes per km.

More than 4,000 people participated in the seventh stage on its first day.

At the end of this stage, the 200 runners (100 men and 100 women) with the highest cumulative distance will receive a certificate from the Viet Nam Youth Federation, a T-shirt and a medal.

At the kick-off ceremony, Sacombank presented 40 gifts or scholarships (each consisting of VND1 million in cash and a gift bag) to village elders, policy households, and ethnic minority students with difficult circumstances.

The programme “Steps for the community” aims to promote exercise and sports to improve physical and mental health, and promote the volunteering spirit among Sacombank employees and youth nationwide to take care of the ethnic minority communities in Viet Nam to preserve traditional cultural values. — VNS