Nam Nguyen: “Running gives me the feeling of pushing myself and conquering myself every day”
Running is a sport that is easily accessible with low costs compared to many other sports. Running provides a sense of effort and the feeling of self-victory every day through speed and distance goals.
In addition to running, I also participate in badminton, so regular running helps me improve my fitness. Running also contributes to my overall health by making me feel “well-rested and enjoying delicious food”, keeping my spirits high and reducing stress effectively.
Recently, Home Credit organized the Home Sport – Run Challenge, so instead of team lunches where we would return to the office to rest, everyone now walks around the company campus to increase the team's total kilometers. Despite the scorching heat, the team spirit and camaraderie make everyone happy and enthusiastic.
Especially on weekends or Sundays, the entire team wakes up as early as 3-4 in the morning and runs until late afternoon, almost picnicking in the park. Even when the day is not over, if we're trailing another team by just 3 km, a couple of our teammates would still hit the road at midnight to catch up.
Vy Le: “Every time I swim, I feel happy”
As of now, I have maintained my weekly swimming habit for four months. Knowing how to swim and doing it regularly is something I once considered impossible. During my high school years, I attempted swim classes, but after a few months of struggling to stay afloat, I gave up on the idea of learning how to swim.
However, in early 2023, I realized that knowing how to swim is not only beneficial for my health but also an essential life skill that could potentially save my life in critical situations. This realization motivated me to learn how to swim. What's especially remarkable is that this time, I took matters into my own hands. I learned from instructional videos on YouTube and proactively practiced.
Whenever I swim, I feel immense happiness. My entire body moves freely through the cool water, and I have the flexibility to determine my training time and frequency. This feeling of happiness is what keeps me committed to swimming to this day.
After maintaining a swimming routine of three times a week, I noticed that my body became more flexible, and my physical health significantly improved. When my physical health was "upgraded," my mental well-being improved as well. When faced with work-related pressures or life's challenges, I spend 30 minutes immersing myself in the refreshing pool water, coordinating my body's movements. This helps me dissipate fatigue and channel positive thoughts, giving me the energy to achieve my goals.
I want to send a message to those who might be hesitant or think they lack the ability: don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to conquer yourself.
Binh Dang: “Sports are not individual but collective”
The IT Department soccer team at Home Credit has been around for a long time, and I am one of the successors of the team, inheriting the traditions from the predecessors and working together to improve every day.
In the beginning, I was quite self-conscious about my fitness and soccer skills. However, thanks to Mr. Hung Nguyen (Head of IT Operations), who encouraged me with the words, "It's just about sweating for better health through sports; why worry?" The next person who played a significant role was our former team captain, Mr. Cam Mai, who passionately and patiently guided me from the beginning.
One of the most memorable moments for the team was the IT BANK 2022 soccer tournament. At the time, our team was considered a mid-tier opponent, and many thought we would easily share points with other teams. However, with determination, effort, unity, and high levels of concentration, our team progressed to the final match and finished the tournament as the runner-up. Despite narrowly losing in a close match, Home Credit Vietnam's team showed strong spirit, unity, and a shared goal for the entire team.
I believe that in soccer or any sport, the spirit and strength of the team are paramount. Sports are not about individualism; they're about the collective.
When you're in a team environment, you need to be united. If you want to shine, you always need the support of your teammates. If you intend to isolate the team and shine individually, you will undoubtedly be excluded from that environment.
Therefore, my teammates and I always prioritize the team spirit, attitude, and discipline. Only through this approach can we create a sustainable, united, and strong team to overcome challenges.
Anh Do: “When playing badminton, my endurance is better, and my spirit always feels comfortable and joyful because I release negative energy."
Badminton is a relatively simple and beginner-friendly sport. Compared to other combat sports, I find badminton to be a cost-effective and easy game to play. It doesn't have age restrictions or require excessive skills or experience, making it suitable for both children and adults to play together.
Every badminton match is an experience and a joyful memory shared with my teammates. When playing badminton, I not only improve my endurance but also feel a sense of comfort and joy as I release negative energy. This sport also helps me build connections with my Home Credit colleagues.
Thien Dang: “Dance Sport is not just about dancing on the floor; it's a way to express oneself, show emotions, and be creative”
I love Dance Sport because it combines dance and competition, creating a unique fusion of art and sports. Dance Sport is not just about dancing on the dance floor; it's a way to express oneself, show emotions, and be creative.
One of the serendipities that led me to Dance Sport was in 2010 when I joined a dance class in District 1, and the head of the Dance Club noticed my talent for Dance Sport. She invited me to train and work at the Dance Club, and I've been doing it for 13 years.
Dance Sport has brought many positive values to my physical and mental health, including:
- Physical health: Dance Sport is a comprehensive physical exercise that enhances flexibility, patience, and body coordination. By performing dance steps and techniques, it burns energy, improves fundamental movements, and enhances balance and coordination. This helps increase training intensity and improve muscle strength, endurance, and speed.
- Boosted self-confidence: Dance Sport has made me more confident in my everyday life. Through self-expression on the dance floor, I've learned to control my confidence and express myself naturally and with greater self-assuredness.
- Stress relief: Dance Sport is an excellent stress reliever. During training and dancing, I can focus on movements and music, allowing me to dispel daily worries and pressures. Dancing is a way to relax and enjoy life.
- Building relationships: Dance Sport has helped me build strong relationships with colleagues and dance groups through shared training sessions and performances. We share joys and difficulties, creating strong connections and developing teamwork skills.
These values have significantly contributed to improving both my physical and mental well-being, bringing balance and joy to my daily life. Dance Sport is not just a sport; it's a chance for personal development and the enjoyment of life.
I've had the opportunity to instruct and share my knowledge about Dance Sport at Home, and I've seen the enthusiasm of my colleagues. They have been very willing to participate and learn, and I'm delighted to see their progress during training.
In addition to practicing dance steps and techniques, our group has done group exercises together, enhancing our bonds and creating a lively atmosphere. I hope that this has helped my colleagues at Home Credit find their passion and enjoy the beauty of Dance Sport.