Event Detail
Cấm River Half Marathon 2026 brings runners to Vinhomes Royal Island on Vũ Yên Island, in the northern Vietnamese port city of Hai Phong. The race returns with the theme 'Nhịp sống đất Cảng - Dòng chảy lịch sử', connecting the energy of the city and the historical importance of its waterways. Whether aiming for a half-marathon result or joining a shorter community road race, participants can experience a striking modern waterfront setting beside the Cấm River.
The race location and atmosphere
The announced event venue is Vinhomes Royal Island (Vinhomes Vũ Yên), a large island precinct surrounded by the Cấm, Bạch Đằng and Ruột Lợn waterways. The venue lies a short journey from central Hai Phong but is not the same as the city centre. The organiser advertises a half marathon alongside 10 km and 5 km races. The official course map, assembly area and arrangements for accessing the island should be checked close to race day, rather than inferred from previous editions. The map pin here is an approximate Vũ Yên Island landmark, not a verified start-line location.
Which date should runners use?
The official event social account repeatedly specifies Sunday 13 December 2026 as race day. Its registration platform's directory shows Saturday 12 December 2026, potentially indicating the start of the event weekend. This listing follows the organiser's explicit Sunday race-day announcement, but entrants should confirm the latest timetable directly. Individual flag-off times have not been verified; the database's midnight time is only a date placeholder, not a claimed midnight start.
Entry and preparation
The official booking platform advertises a registration window from 14 September to 25 November 2026. Check current entry fees, age restrictions, eligibility rules, bib collection, time limits and the final route directly with the event organiser before paying. For travel, allow extra time to reach Vũ Yên Island, particularly if travelling from accommodation in central Hai Phong, and follow instructions on which entrance and parking areas are open for participants. The event's 2026 edition is distinct from the earlier Cấm River Half Marathon held in September 2025.