Russian tourists run marathon to express love for Nha Trang

On the morning of Aug. 24, over 13,000 people participated in the VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang, including hundreds of international runners, with Russians making up the largest group. For these visitors, the race was not only a way to explore the area but also to express their affection for the seaside city.

Naumora Daria on the 21 km course at VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang. Photo by VnExpress Marathon

Naumora Daria, a tourist from Moscow, has participated in the race since 2022, consistently choosing the 21 km distance. She shared that she has traveled to many places in Vietnam, but Nha Trang remains her favorite for its pleasant weather, beautiful route, and welcoming community. Outside of marathons, Daria also enjoys going to the gym and playing badminton while staying in the city.

"I often travel to different places, both in Vietnam and abroad. But I only choose this race, mostly because of my love for Nha Trang," Daria said.

Ryabushkin Evgeny runs past Do Theater, a Nha Trang landmark. Photo by VnExpress Marathon

Ryabushkin Evgeny, a member of Adidas Runners Hanoi, joined the race during a three-week trip across Vietnam. He and his companion, Svetlana, traveled from Hanoi and passed through Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An before reaching Nha Trang.

"I planned to run at VnExpress Marathon Hue in April but missed it. When I found out Nha Trang had a race in August, I couldn’t pass it up," Evgeny shared. After completing the half marathon, both will continue on to Ho Chi Minh City.

The Russian community has long been connected to Nha Trang. In 2019, Khanh Hoa welcomed nearly 463,000 Russian visitors, accounting for more than 70% of Russia's total tourists to Vietnam. A 2021 report showed that over 600 Russians lived and worked in the city, mainly in tourism and services.

Since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, Russian arrivals to Nha Trang have surged, with more than 105,000 visits in 2024 and around 49,000 in the first quarter of 2025. There is even a "Russian street" in town lined with many restaurants and spas offering services in Russian.

Oleg Yarosh and Sofiia Iarosh collect their bibs at the race expo on Aug. 22, 2025. Photo by VnExpress Marathon

Oleg Yarosh and Sofiia Iarosh chose the VnExpress Marathon as a special way to mark six months of living in Nha Trang. After a friend recommended the city, they decided to relocate and quickly adapted to the local lifestyle.

"I work for a design company, and my girlfriend teaches yoga online to students in Russia," Oleg said. This was their first time participating in a race, and they decided to take on the half marathon distance. "We already know many eateries and cafes in Nha Trang, but we wanted to get to know the city more deeply through this run," he added.

VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang has been held annually since 2022, attracting tens of thousands of runners from Vietnam and abroad. With its course along Tran Phu Beach and the central streets, the race is considered one of the most beautiful marathons in Vietnam.

This year’s event helps to promote Nha Trang as a destination for sports tourism and create opportunities for cultural exchange between international visitors and locals.