Vietnam Highlands Trail by UTMB 2027

Vietnam Highlands Trail by UTMB® debuts in Da Lat from 8 to 10 January 2027 as Vietnam's first event on the UTMB World Series calendar. Held in Lam Dong Province and co-organised by Nexus Sport Events, the race connects the trail community with the Central Highlands around Langbiang, Elephant Mountain, Pinhatt and the wider Bidoup landscape. The courses move through pine forest, primary forest, jungle, mountain ridges, coffee-growing country and the Tuyen Lam Lake area, giving the weekend a very different character from an urban road race.

The main race day is Saturday 9 January. The 100K Langbiang starts at Lam Vien Square at 03:00 and covers 104.2 km with about 5,533 m of climbing. It crosses Langbiang, Elephant Mountain and Pinhatt before finishing at the Clay Tunnel Tourist Area, with a 29-hour maximum time. The 50K Elephant starts from Lam Vien Square at 05:00, covers 56.4 km with about 2,946 m of climbing and has an 18 hour 30 minute limit. The 20K Pinhatt starts at Clay Tunnel at 07:30 and is currently published as 24.1 km with roughly 1,100 m of climbing, while the 10K Tuyen Lam starts there at 09:00 and is 11.3 km with 486 m of climbing.

UTMB World Series status is a major part of the event. The 100K awards three Running Stones, the 50K two and the 20K one. Top overall runners in the longer UTMB categories can also earn direct access to the corresponding 2027 UTMB Finals category, subject to the organiser's entry rules.

Runners must complete athlete check-in and mandatory-gear verification before receiving their race pack. The organiser operates a cup-less aid-station system, so participants need to carry their own cup or hydration vessel. Aid stations provide water, electrolyte drink, fruit, bakery items, hot drinks and meals, with first-aid support on course. Mandatory gear applies to all races, and the official runner guide should be checked again close to race week because operational details can still be updated.