Personal challenge on the Red River
Vietnamese amateur swimmer Lê Trọng Kiên completed a continuous upstream backstroke-undulation challenge on Hanoi's Red River on the morning of October 20. The route ran from Long Biên Bridge towards Thăng Long Bridge, with a recorded distance of 12.1 kilometres and elapsed time of five hours, one minute and 52 seconds.
His watch and sports-tracking applications recorded the effort, while supporters accompanied him on three stand-up paddleboards. They included fellow swimming enthusiasts and his son. Nguyễn Ngọc Khánh, a long-distance swimmer who supported the event, streamed much of the journey.
The report describes a personal achievement recognised within Vietnam's amateur swimming community. Tracking devices, applications and witness accounts document the challenge, but they are not an international or national governing body's formal world-record certification.
Years of specialist practice
Kiên is a Hanoi computer-business owner who trains regularly at Quán Thánh pool. He has spent years practising this demanding style over shorter distances. In December 2020, he completed a continuous five-kilometre pool challenge in about three hours, establishing an earlier personal milestone within the community.
He previously told Tuoi Tre that learning the technique caused considerable back and abdominal fatigue. The upstream river effort added strong currents to the physical demands. Khánh's assessment of the achievement reflects his experience in long-distance swimming, rather than a formal global record adjudication.
The new event is therefore best understood through its documented route, duration, support and individual preparation. Earlier long-distance swims by other community members provide background and are separate from Kiên's October 20 challenge.