VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight a vibrant start to new year

Set to take place on Feb. 23, the event marks the opening of the VnExpress Marathon series and kicks off the new year with a vibrant and dynamic running experience.

Expanded capacity

This third season of the Ho Chi Minh City Midnight Marathon features a significant capacity expansion. In previous years, the event attracted around 10,000 participants, but this year's organizers aim to set a new record. After just 20 days of Super Early Bird registration, 8,000 runners had signed up, predominantly from Ho Chi Minh City and southern regions. As of now, registrations are nearing the 10,000 mark.

Taking place shortly after Lunar New Year, the marathon has become a tradition for many runners, including elite athletes, who view it as a chance to kick-start their competitive season and bring luck for the year ahead. Last year's race saw an intense competition between Dan Quyet and Hong Le, with both claiming the championship titles for the full marathon distance.

Thousands of 42-km runners starting from Tao Dan Park in the 2024 HCMC Midnight Marathon edition. Photo by VM

A path of light

This year's race route has been fine-tuned to ensure better track quality, broader lanes, and enhanced conditions to help runners achieve their personal bests. Organizers have also improved security, road closures, and hydration stations, ensuring a seamless experience for participants.

With the midnight start, adequate lighting remains a priority. To address this, sections with limited lighting, such as parts of Thu Thiem, will feature additional lighting support, including electric bikes provided by Xanh SM, as seen last year.

Runners will traverse HCMC's iconic streets, bustling downtown areas, and historic landmarks such as Ba Son and Thu Thiem bridges, which present both a challenge and a unique vantage point to view the city's skyline and feel the refreshing spring breeze.

Runners on Ton Duc Thang Street by the Saigon River. Photo by VM

Attractive bib pricing

Registration for the VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight 2025 is now open under the Regular pricing tier. Entry fees range from VND699,000 for the 5-km race to VND1.459 million for the full 42-km marathon.

Group discounts from 5-25% are available, depending on the group size. For example, groups of 20-50 runners receive a 5% discount, while groups of more than 1,000 runners enjoy a 25% discount. These discounts cannot be combined with other promotions. Registration closes on Jan. 25, 2025, or earlier if capacity is reached, to ensure safety and adequate resources for participants.

The marathon, co-organized by VPBank, expects to host 11,000 runners this season. With a blend of historical and modern elements, the event highlights the unique beauty of Vietnam's most vibrant city at night, while promoting physical and mental well-being.

VPBank has been a major supporter of Vietnam's running movement since 2018, having co-organized 14 marathons across the country with over 90,000 participants. Through its partnership with the VnExpress Marathon, VPBank aims to elevate the sport and contribute to HCMC's image as a dynamic and inspiring destination for runners and tourists alike.