Press Release No. 3: Opening of the 8th Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon 2025
OPENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARATHON
HO CHI MINH CITY TECHCOMBANK MARATHON SEASON 8
– SPREADING THE SUPERIOR SPIRIT OF A FUTURE MEGALOPOLIS
Ho Chi Minh City, December 05, 2025 – The Opening Ceremony and Press Conference for the 8th Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon took place solemnly under the direction of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Department of Tourism, Department of Culture and Sports, and HCMC Athletics Federation; along with the strategic sponsorship of Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank) and the organizing unit Sunrise Events Vietnam.
As a symbolic sports event of the City, this year’s race is one of the key activities within the framework of Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Week 2025, contributing to the development orientation of tourism associated with sports and culture, one of the important pillars in the strategy to build HCMC into a future international-class megalopolis.
Over 23,000 steps together write a superior rhythm of life
The event welcomed over 100 guests, including leaders from various departments, boards, and sectors, press and media agencies, along with a large number of athletes and other guests, officially kicking off the new season – the 8th consecutive season of Ho Chi Minh City’s iconic race. This year, the race continues to affirm its position as the largest running event in Vietnam with over 23,000 athletes from 81 countries and territories participating. This scale marks impressive growth, with the total number of athletes expected to increase by over 30% compared to the 2024 season. The race spreads the message “Running for a Superior Vietnam,” passing through 17 iconic landmarks – where the City’s past, present, and future harmonize with every step.
Spreading humanitarian values and community responsibility
With its attractiveness and prominence throughout 7 seasons, this year’s season is not only an opportunity for tourist communities, units, and businesses to challenge themselves and push their limits on the track, but also contributes to sharing and spreading the profound humanitarian meaning of social charity activities.
This season also contributes to spreading humanitarian values by accompanying many charitable and social welfare activities. Donations are sent to meaningful organizations and programs such as: Supporting people in areas affected by floods; HCMC “For the Poor” Fund; HCMC Association for the Protection of Poor Patients; Vo Hong Son Center for Raising Children with Disabilities; Human resource training activities for the tourism industry; HCMC Sports Talent Protection Fund; HCMC Athletics Federation; Fund from the online race “Run for the Future of Vietnamese Children” and activities supporting training and developing tourism development policies. Especially, the online race “Run for the Future of Vietnamese Children” attracted over 21,000 athletes, recorded over 440,000 valid kilometers, and contributed over 4.2 billion VND to the Touch of Love Fund, helping to bring life-changing opportunities to the community.
Marathon Village – A space connecting tourism and festival experiences
Taking place within the framework of the 5th HCMC Tourism Week with the theme “Vibrant Festival Season,” this year’s Marathon Village is arranged as a miniature cultural – tourism experience space, introducing the unique features of the City to athletes and tourists. In addition to the race kit collection area and exhibition spaces for Techcombank, Masterise Homes, Techcom Life, Touch of Love Fund, Xtep, and many other sports – nutrition – healthcare brands, the Marathon Village also integrates a space introducing HCMC tourism. Here, participants can learn about 17 typical destinations along the race course, new tourism products of the City such as river tourism, green tourism, as well as information about festival activities taking place from December 5–12 within the framework of Tourism Week.
In parallel, many tourism – shopping stimulus programs are implemented to serve athletes and tourists, notably: food and shopping promotions from Shopee Food, promotional programs – tourism packages from hotels and travel agencies, discounts of up to 50% at restaurant boats and service experiences during the week. Tourists can also participate in a series of themed art nights (Inspiring Night, Boundless Night, Timeless Night, Ho Chi Minh City Night…) along with culinary – cultural activities such as the Cho Lon Food Story 2025 Culinary Festival, coracle boat exhibition and artistic kite flying in Ho Tram commune… creating a vibrant festival picture, attracting domestic and international tourists.
The combination of large-scale sports activities and a series of tourism – festival stimulus experiences has helped the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon become a highlight of Tourism Week, contributing to spreading the image of a vibrant, identity-rich, and hospitable Ho Chi Minh City to the domestic and international community.
KIDS RUN for the young generation
On December 6, 2025, the KIDS RUN children’s race will take place at The Global City, expected to welcome over 1,200 children aged 5 to 14 participating in two distances: 1.5 km and 3 km. Since 2017, KIDS RUN has been an important highlight in the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon’s activity ecosystem, contributing to forming exercise habits and inspiring sports in the young generation. This activity continues to affirm the City’s orientation in building a “City of Healthy Citizens,” where amateur sports become a part of life.
Official Race Day – 07/12
The official race day of the 8th Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon will take place in the early morning of December 7, expected to welcome over 23,000 domestic and international athletes, continuing to maintain its position as the largest marathon in Vietnam, with impressive growth year after year, increasing by over 30% compared to 2024 and more than 5 times compared to the first season. This year, athletes will compete in 4 distances: Marathon (42.195km) – Half Marathon (21.1km) – 10km and 5km.
This year’s course passes through 17 iconic landmarks of the City, including Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ba Son Bridge, City Post Office, Bach Dang Wharf, along with many modern riverside roads – offering a unique conquest journey – where past, present, and future harmonize with every step.
Notably, this year’s race also brings together leading Vietnamese and international athletes such as Nguyen Van Lai, Pham Thi Hong Le, Hua Thuan Long, Dang Anh Quyet, Edwin Kiptoo, Lilan Kennedy, Birehan Marta, promising dramatic competitions on the track. The entire event will be broadcast live on HTV Sports and HTV’s and Techcombank’s digital platforms.
In the new space of Ho Chi Minh City, this season marks many advancements that affirm its international stature. This includes the race continuing to receive certification from AIMS and the Vietnam Athletics Federation for a course meeting international distance standards, ensuring global benchmarks. Notably, this season introduces the Vietnam Marathon Record Breaking Prize with the highest prize money in the country sponsored by Techcom Life, creating additional motivation for Vietnamese athletes to conquer new heights. Simultaneously, the organization of the 3rd Public Sports Introduction Program in HCMC accompanying the event is clear evidence of international trust in the City’s organizational capacity and position.
Accompanying Technology – Connecting sports with culture and tourism
Continuing efforts to enhance the athlete experience, this season introduces the companionship of AIAIVN with the HeriStepAI utility – an automatic GPS-based narration system at cultural and historical landmarks along the route, as well as within the Marathon Village. This technology provides a multi-dimensional experience, where each step creates a connection between sports and the heritage, culture, and tourism of Ho Chi Minh City.
Spreading international spirit and sustainable development
This season also continues to play an international bridging role, with the Public Sports Introduction Program successfully organized within the event week, bringing together over 120 global experts and leaders in sports, tourism, and technology. Taking place on December 4 & 5, the program with the theme “Transforming from event organization to ecosystem development: Grasping global trends, co-creating a sustainable future,” is a reputable forum to connect resources, share new directions, and sustainable development solutions for Vietnamese sports and tourism.
Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, stated: “The 8th Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon is a journey to promote the image of a dynamic, friendly, and vibrant City to domestic and international tourists, through every step of the athletes. The fact that the tournament is organized within the framework of Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Week 2025 affirms the development orientation of tourism associated with sports and culture, one of the important pillars in the strategy to build the city into an international tourism megalopolis. The Department of Tourism will continue to coordinate closely with departments, sectors, and the Organizing Committee to ensure preparation, safety, and quality of experience, aiming for a green, sustainable, and worthwhile destination.
Mr. Nguyen Nam Nhan, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, stated: “The Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon is clear evidence of the orientation to build a ‘city of healthy citizens,’ where amateur sports gradually become a part of life. Through seven seasons, the race has awakened the spirit of training, perseverance, and aspiration to rise, contributing to forming a united and dynamic community. This is also a foundation for Ho Chi Minh City to continue maintaining the habit of sports training across all ages, helping the spirit of “Running for a Superior Vietnam” become familiar and widely spread in people’s lives.
Ms. Thai Minh Diem Tu, Marketing Director of Techcombank, shared: “For nearly a decade of building a healthy living foundation, the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon has been the city’s iconic annual race, building a healthy, confident, and prosperous community. This spirit is further strengthened by the issuance of Resolution 72 of the Politburo, which sets the goal of improving the stature, longevity, and physical activity rate of the people. The persistent efforts of the race have contributed to nurturing a culture of sports training in the community, enhancing the physical fitness of Vietnamese people, and helping many athletes leave their mark on the world map – thereby making practical contributions to the rapid and sustainable development of the Nation.”
Mr. Rob Zamacona, General Director of Sunrise Events Vietnam, shared his vision for the event: “Looking back at eight years of organization, we are proud that the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon has become a symbol of perseverance and the will to overcome limits, where every step contributes to spreading a healthy lifestyle and inspiring positive spirit in the community. We are committed to pursuing the mission ‘Helping 100 million Vietnamese people realize their strength through sports,’ always putting athletes at the center, ensuring all organizational stages meet the highest standards – from the race course, security, medical services, water stations to volunteer training. The Organizing Committee will coordinate closely with functional agencies in developing the organizational plan, limiting impact on people’s daily lives, while providing a safe, fair, and emotional experience for all athletes. This is a sustainable commitment that we not only organize a professional race but also contribute to creating a strong and cohesive sports community.”
The 8th Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon continues to affirm its position as a key sports – tourism event of the City, contributing to promoting the image of a vibrant, identity-rich, and friendly destination to domestic and international tourists, while promoting tourism development associated with sports – culture according to the City’s strategic orientation.
