The ninth Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon has been officially launched. It will be organised by local authorities, Sunrise Events Vietnam and Techcombank, the title sponsor.
The marathon will run from December 4 to 6 as part of the sixth Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Week, Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City Fest, which will continue until December 12. This year's event is expected to attract more than 24,000 domestic and international runners, with the route passing some of the city's well-known landmarks.
A KIDS RUN will take place on December 5 alongside the main race. It will give children an opportunity to take part in physical activity and build regular exercise habits.
According to the organising committee, the marathon generated a cumulative economic impact of more than 25.7 million USD from 2022 to 2025. Participants and visitors spent money on accommodation, food, shopping and other local services.
Nguyen Nam Nhan, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, said the marathon supports the implementation of national policies on sports development and public health under Resolution 72-NQ/TW. He said the event encourages more people to exercise regularly and adopt active lifestyles.
The ninth edition will introduce a standalone 5km race for the first time. It will be held on December 5 and is intended to make the event more accessible to families and first-time participants in a major community sporting event.
The Marathon Village will have a more spacious and accessible layout. Exhibitions and other activities will take place there throughout race week.
Another new feature is SEV RunConcierge, an artificial-intelligence-powered digital assistant. It will be launched for the first time on the NeuRun platform, allowing runners to access race information and explore Ho Chi Minh City's tourism options, local services and landmarks.
Anh Vo, CEO of Sunrise Events Vietnam, said that after eight editions, the organisers were continuing to improve the event in line with international standards. He said the changes were intended to improve safety, operational quality and the participant experience.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
