Thousands of runners gathered at Tao Dan Park in District 1 around 10 p.m. before the race on Saturday.
The full 42-kilometer marathon started at midnight, while the 10-kilometer and five-kilometer races started half an hour later. Runners in the 21-kilometer race started running at 1:15 a.m. on Sunday.
From Tao Dan Park, runners crossed the city’s downtown streets of Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Le Duan, and Dong Khoi.
This area features the former-Saigon’s most famous French architecture sites, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, and the Saigon Opera House.
Runners cheer as they move past the glowing city hall, which is officially called the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Head Office.
The palatial hall was built in the French colonial style over a six-year period (1902-1908).
Runners make a U-turn near the Thu Ngu Flagpole, which was built in 1865 at Bach Dang Wharf to guide vessels along the Saigon River.
The bridge crossing is Khanh Hoi Bridge, which links District 1 and District 4.
The race continues on a street parallel with Vo Van Kiet Boulevard. The new motorcycle-only street opened to traffic last April.
A group of runners stop for a selfie at Me Linh Square, where a statue of Vietnamese royal prince, statesman and military commander Tran Hung Dao watches over the city.
After crossing the bridge, runners arrive in Thu Duc City.
The VnExpress Midnight Marathon Ho Chi Minh City attracted 10,000 runners in total.
Downtown Ho Chi Minh City glows Saturday night as runners compete at the VnExpress Midnight Marathon.
