VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong 2026

VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong returns for its fourth edition on 27 December 2026, closing the year on a course that has built a strong reputation among Vietnamese runners chasing personal bests. The 2025 edition drew around 14,000 participants, including about 5,000 marathon runners, and produced 134 sub-three-hour marathon finishes. That was up from 91 in 2024 and 82 in 2023, reinforcing the event's reputation as the VnExpress Marathon series' year-end speed race.

The 2026 programme again offers 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon distances in Hai Phong. Much of the established marathon route is characterised by long straight sections, few sharp turns and virtually no climbing, allowing runners to settle into an even rhythm. The organiser's current registration material says the course is certified by the Vietnam Athletics Federation and meets World Athletics criteria. It also confirms traffic-separated race routes, medical supervision, participant insurance, water, electrolytes and fruit at support stations, plus free race photography.

Hai Phong also gives the race a distinctive destination character. The organiser highlights the port city's preserved French-era architecture and local food culture as part of the weekend experience. The precise 2026 course map and start/finish line have not yet been published on the live event site, so runners should check the official race information again closer to December rather than relying on an older edition's route.

Registration opened on 28 August and is scheduled to run through 16 December, unless a distance fills earlier. Race-kit collection is scheduled for 25-26 December. The organiser has not yet published the final collection venue and daily hours on the current schedule.

A current registration partner lists the overall event window as 04:00-11:00 ICT on race day, while category-specific flag-off times and 2026 cut-offs have not yet been posted on the live organiser pages. Those details should be reconfirmed before travel or race-day planning.