Culture - Sports

Da Nang International Marathon 2026 draws nearly 9,000 runners

This year’s event is estimated to generate approximately 142 billion VND (5.4 million USD) for the city’s economy, with 5.1 million USD contributed by international participants.

At the opening ceremony of 2026 Da Nang International Marathon (Photo: VNA)
At the opening ceremony of 2026 Da Nang International Marathon (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang (VNA) – The 2026 Da Nang International Marathon officially kicked off on March 20, drawing nearly 9,000 domestic and international runners.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tao Viet Hai said that after more than a decade, the tournament has established itself as one of the region’s premier races, featuring a course widely regarded as one of the most scenic in Asia.

The event not only promotes a culture of fitness and sports but also helps showcase Da Nang as a dynamic, friendly city with strong tourism potential, the official said.

Nearly 3,200 international runners join this year’s race, up 18% from 2025, marking Vietnam’s largest marathon by global participation in its 13-year history.

High-performing international athletes such as Saito Takuya and Ritsuro Adachi from Japan, and Richard Pfaller from Germany, will compete alongside Vietnamese elites including Pham Thi Binh, Thai Thi Kim Ngan, Nguyen Thi Tra Giang and Trieu Thi Binh.

The main race categories, the full and half marathon, will start at 3am and 4.30am respectively on March 22, followed by the 5km fun run at 6am.

This year’s event is estimated to generate approximately 142 billion VND (5.4 million USD) for the city’s economy, with 5.1 million USD contributed by international participants. This figure includes spending on accommodation, food and airfare, excluding additional expenses such as shopping and tourism services.

Held annually since 2013, the marathon continues to play a key role in connecting sports with tourism and contributing to local economic growth.

Last year, Vietnamese marathoners Huynh Anh Khoi and Pham Thi Binh won the men’s and women’s full-marathon divisions.

The Da Nang International Marathon was also the first Vietnamese marathon certified by the International Amateur Athletics Association (IAAF) and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races./.

VNA
#Da Nang International Marathon 2026 #Da Nang #Da Nang tourism #international runners Da Nang
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

The enduring appeal of Hoi An's heritage lies not in static structures, but in its vibrant presence in everyday life. (Photo: VNA)

Hoi An, Da Nang Int’l Airport named among world’s best

Hoi An has been named among “The 51 most beautiful places in the world” by British magazine Time Out, while Da Nang International Airport has, for the third consecutive year, secured a place in the world’s Top 100 airports by Skytrax.

See more

The performance brings a fresh perspective on cultural exchange, reflecting a proactive and dynamic approach to international cultural integration. (Photo: Organising Committee)

Contemporary ballet inspired by Vietnamese folk culture to debut in Hanoi

The creative team noted that the performance explores a new ballet vocabulary, blending academic dance techniques with the rhythms and spirit of everyday Vietnamese life. The production features a reimagined musical arrangement of Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, creating a rich and emotionally immersive stage experience.

Illustrative Image (Photo: VNA)

Pho Festival 2026 to take place in Ninh Binh from March 19 - 22

Held under the theme “Vietnamese Pho – A living heritage in the modern era”, the festival aims to honour the country’s traditional 'pho' craft while contributing practical evidence and data to support the preparation of a dossier seeking UNESCO recognition for 'pho' as a world cultural heritage.

The Vietnamese national team has announced its 23-player squad in preparation for important international matches during the FIFA Days in March. (Photo: VFF)

Vietnamese squad sees fresh talents, seasoned players for FIFA Days

During this FIFA Days, Vietnam will host Bangladesh in an international friendship match at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi on March 26, before travelling to Ninh Binh for a clash against Malaysia on March 31 at Thien Truong Stadium in the final round of qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup 2027.

A performance of Muong gongs at a village festival at Coi communal house, Lac Son commune, Phu Tho province. (Photo: VNA)

Hung Kings Temple Festival to feature Muong culture for first time

The Muong culture showcase at Hung Kings Temple Festival 2026 will include the re-enactment of traditional rituals, folk songs, gong performances, and daily life. This is expected to enrich the festival while offering visitors deeper insight into the spiritual life of communities in Vietnam’s midland regions.

Que Huong (Homeland) Choir performs at the 28th International Choir Festival of Paris at Saint Roch Cathedral. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese choir shines at 28th International Choral Festival Paris

At the 28th edition of the festival, which ended on March 15, the Vietnamese delegation left a memorable impression as the Que Huong Choir was invited to perform as the second act of the programme. This prominent position reflected the organisers’ recognition of the artistic quality and reputation of the Vietnamese choir.

The Digitised Library of Vietnamese Dao Mau is developed as part of the Go Chau Thien Hoi project. (Photo: VNA)

Project digitises heritage to engage youth

Since its launch in November 2025, the Go Chau Thien Hoi project has attracted more than 700 students from over 120 universities and colleges nationwide, and has recorded over 100,000 views across digital platforms, which demonstrates significant interest among young people in the heritage.