According to Guinness, the total length of Huyen’s fingernails measured 594.45 cm. The nails on his left hand alone reached 388.85 cm, while the right-hand nails measured 205.6 cm. His left thumb nail was the longest at 127.5 cm.

To ensure accuracy, a Guinness representative used a fine string to trace each nail’s intricate curves before measuring with tape. Although the record was officially set earlier this year, it was not publicly announced until late September 2025.

34 years of persistence with an unusual passion

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Luu Cong Huyen sets Guinness World Record for world’s longest fingernails. Photo: Provided by family

Huyen shared that he has nurtured his love for growing nails since he was young. However, due to helping his wife harvest rice and transport crops, his nails would often break once they grew past 10 cm.

In 1991, when he began working full-time creating decorative reliefs for temples, churches, and private homes, he made the decision to seriously grow and care for his nails.

Over the past 34 years, his nails have grown long and twisted, curling like vines.

“I grow my nails out of personal interest. For over a decade, my nails have been close to a meter long and have naturally twisted. In the past, when they were straighter, I used lemon to scrub them clean,” Huyen said.

“Now that they’re longer and more fragile, I avoid soaking them in water because it softens them like instant noodles. I only wipe my palms clean without scrubbing the nails. The different colors you see are from years of cement and paint residue from work,” he added.

To protect his nails, Huyen avoids crowds and rarely attends gatherings, asking his wife to attend events in his place to avoid inconveniencing others.

He also sleeps with his arm elevated on a pillow to prevent the nails from being crushed.

Daily life has become increasingly challenging. Huyen now relies on his wife to help him bathe and get dressed. His fingers have lost their flexibility due to the weight of the nails. He can no longer clench or spread his hand and must keep it stiffly extended at all times.

At night, he often suffers from shoulder and arm pain. Still, he remains committed to preserving his nails, which he views as an inseparable part of himself.

Still hardworking despite long fingernails

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Despite the inconvenience, Huyen remains hardworking and dedicated

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Every morning, Huyen rides his motorbike to work as usual
Mr. Huyen still manages his daily activities independently.

Despite the inconvenience, Huyen remains an extremely industrious man.

Gifted in the arts since childhood, he was able to draw detailed pictures as early as second grade. In 1978, during his military service, he was entrusted with creating tactical maps, posters, and banners.

After leaving the army and marrying in 1981, he worked various jobs to support his family. Besides his main occupation of crafting and painting reliefs, he has also embroidered, carved wood, and even worked as a wedding MC.

Nguyen Thi Thuan, Huyen’s wife, said he has always been the primary breadwinner, supporting their four children’s education. Meanwhile, she managed their small rice fields and household.

Now in his late 60s, Huyen still works tirelessly. He rides his motorbike to job sites every morning and returns late in the evening. With their children grown and their elderly parents passed, Mrs. Thuan now accompanies him to work for companionship.

“He became ‘suddenly famous’ over a decade ago after someone took a photo of his nails at a hospital and shared it online. Since then, we’ve heard a lot of gossip, like ‘how can someone with long nails do anything useful?’ But they don’t know him,” Thuan said.

“My husband is incredibly talented, hardworking, and devoted to his children and grandchildren. Now, even at this age, he still works hard and has only one quirky passion - growing his nails. We all respect that,” she added.

Huyen can manage most daily tasks himself. His wife only helps him with bathing and dressing, so she doesn't feel burdened.

A few months ago, rumors circulated online that Huyen planned to sell his nails for 7 billion VND (about 286,000 USD). However, he clarified that this was a misunderstanding.

According to Huyen, the rumor stemmed from a content creator’s assumptions during a casual conversation.

“They asked if I would sell my nails if someone offered. I said I’d think about it. Then they asked how long I’d been growing them and what I earned daily. When I said I’d been growing them for 34 years and earned about 500,000 VND (20 USD) per day, they did the math and came up with 7 billion VND. But I never once offered to sell them,” he explained.

Huyen added that he feels satisfied with his nails after so many years, but will continue to grow them as long as his health allows.

Trong Tung