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On August 23, My Vietnam 2026 will be held at Vietnam Exhibition Centre (VEC) in Hanoi and is expected to gather nearly 15,000 participants around four distances, scheduled for the cooler hours for the runners’ comfort. Part of the September 2nd commemorations, the race blends sporting ambition and collective commitment with innovations such as a system Elite reserved for 200 athletes and a device Green Run focused on recycling and environmental awareness. Appointed ambassador, Nguyên Van Lai will bring his experience as a pace setter in the half-marathon, illustrating the desire to transmit performance to as many people as possible.
Launched for its second edition on August 23rd at Vietnam Exhibition Center (VEC) in Đông Anh, the race My Vietnam 2026 It brings together thousands of Vietnamese and international runners around a dual objective: to celebrate national memory and to structure running as a social and cultural phenomenon. On the agenda: nearly 15,000 participants Expected features include programming adapted to climatic constraints, sporting and environmental innovations, and the presence of an emblematic figure of Vietnamese athletics, Nguyên Van Lai, committed to transmission.
An event included in the national commemorations
Organized by the company Zaha VietnamThe race is officially part of the calendar of celebrations for the 81st anniversary of the National holiday of September 2, 1945. The choice of VEC in Dong Anh, on the northern outskirts of Hanoi, offers a logistical framework capable of accommodating a large public and deploying appropriate security and health support measures.
The patriotic dimension of the event aims to go beyond mere sporting performance: by associating the race with commemorations, the organizers seek to make My Vietnam a cultural event capable of uniting people beyond running circles.
Formats designed for comfort and performance
To take into account the summer heat and allow for clean times, four distances are offered with separate start times: the marathon (42 km) leaves at 2:00 am, the half marathon (21 km) at 3:30 a.m., the race of 9.2 km at 6:00 am and the race of 2.9 km at 8:45 a.m. This programming protects participants from the hottest hours while offering options for all levels.
Two major innovations: the Elite system and the device Green Run
Compared to the first edition, My Vietnam 2026 introduces two key new features. Firstly, the implementation of a Elite system which reserves 200 places for athletes with certified performances over the last twelve months. These runners benefit from dedicated registration, priority start, recovery equipment and technical clothing — a way to raise the level of competition while preserving the popular character of the event.
On the other hand, the race is reinforcing its environmental ambition with the device Green Run Waste sorting at aid stations, material recycling, and awareness campaigns for runners. These measures aim to limit the event’s impact and promote sustainable practices within the running community.
The distribution of race bibs and the mobilization of local clubs are ensured in partnership with the community. Happy Feet, an essential relay for reaching clubs and groups of runners across the country.
Nguyên Van Lai: a legend serving the community
The figure chosen to represent the 2026 edition is Nguyên Van Lai, a former athlete who has become an ambassador and professional advisor for the event. His record is remarkable: six gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games, thirteen national titles in the 5,000m and eleven in the 10,000m. Unique, his journey began late — he started competing in 2008, at 22 years old — but he then built a career based on discipline and endurance, values inherited from his military training.
Having recently transitioned to a coaching role after a notable performance in the 2026 Tiên Phong Marathon, where he finished in the top three, Nguyên Van Lai will embody the inclusive philosophy of My Vietnam by serving as a pacesetter for the half marathon with a goal of 1 hour 30 minutes, thus guiding amateur runners towards this target time.
Vietnamese running is accelerating
The dynamics around My Vietnam This is part of a broader trend: running is becoming a mass phenomenon in Vietnam. The first edition of the event in 2025 had already attracted more than 21,000 participantsdemonstrating a growing popular interest in the discipline.
Meanwhile, other races are showing the same intensity: the Garmin Run Vietnam is due to return to Ho Chi Minh City in October 2026 after attracting nearly 6,000 runners last year, Tây Hồ half marathon mobilized more than 12,000 athletes in April, and the Olympic running day in Hanoi drew nearly 17,000 people in March. These figures are documented by several local and international media outlets, including VietnamMore, VietnamNet And The Mail.
An attractiveness that fuels tourism and urban life
The rise of popular races also contributes to a renewed tourism and cultural offering: sporting events become opportunities to discover cities and regions, enhancing the appeal of destinations like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The benefits extend beyond the purely sporting realm and contribute to the local economy, as highlighted in local publications and travel guides. For visitors, practical information and local reports are available on websites such as Le Petit Journal — Ho Chi Minh and his article dedicated to My Vietnam 2026.
In a changing regional context—which sees, for example, Thailand reforming its tourism offerings and regulations, or Cambodia seeking an authentic tourism model—major races contribute to cross-border appeal and the structuring of sports tourism (see regional analyses on Thailand, Cambodia and practical advice for travelling in Thailand).
An event connected to societal and international issues
Beyond sport and tourism, the organization of events of this scale takes place in a globally unstable political and economic environment. Analysts note that international events can influence mobility and the perception of large gatherings. Regional and international reviews provide useful context for understanding these interactions (geopolitical analyzes).
On a practical level, foreign runners and visitors with information in English and French can refer to international reports and local information platforms to prepare for their trip and find out about reception and security conditions.
My Vietnam as a laboratory for social and environmental innovations
By bringing together elites and the general public, by implementing eco-responsible practices and by relying on community partners such as Happy FeetThe event aims to be exemplary. It can serve as a laboratory for experiments in waste management, health and safety measures, and the inclusion of populations less familiar with sporting events.
The stated ambition is clear: to transform a popular event into a cultural and civic gathering, capable of conveying a message and practices beyond the world of running, while contributing to the animation of cities and the tourist appeal of Vietnam.
FAQ — My Vietnam 2026: Practical information and challenges
Q: When and where does the My Vietnam 2026 event take place?
A: The race will take place on August 23 At Vietnam Exhibition Center (VEC), in Đông Anh, on the northern outskirts of Hanoi. The organization is handled by Zaha Vietnam.
Q: How many participants are expected and where do they come from?
A: The organizers are expecting around 15,000 runners, both Vietnamese and international, confirming the local and attractive nature of the event.
Q: What distances are offered and what are the departure times?
A: Four race formats are planned to suit different profiles: marathon (42 km) with a very early departure to 2:00, half marathon (21 km) has 3:30a race of 9.2 km has 6:00 and a short test of 2.9 km who will leave 8:45.
Q: What is the system Elite introduced this year?
A: A program reserved for 200 runners with certified performances over the past twelve months: these athletes benefit from priority registration, a privileged start, recovery equipment, and technical apparel. The goal is to raise the level of competition while preserving the race’s accessibility.
Q: What does the device consist of? Green Run ?
A: This is an ecological component integrating waste sorting at refreshment points, recycling of materials used during the event and awareness campaigns for participants in order to reduce the environmental impact of the event.
Q: Who is the ambassador for the 2026 edition and what role will he/she play?
A: The event is supported by Nguyên Van Lai, a major figure in Vietnamese athletics. A former national champion and multiple medalist in Southeast Asia, he will serve as pace setter for the half-marathon with the goal of 1 hour 30 minutesaccompanying amateur runners aiming for this time and embodying the transmission between elite and general public.
Q: What is the national or symbolic significance of the race?
A: My Vietnam 2026 is part of the calendar of commemorations of 81st anniversary of the National Holiday (September 2, 1945), combining sporting dimension and collective vocation to make the event a cultural and patriotic occasion beyond the mere competition.
Q: How are the distribution of race bibs and the mobilization of clubs managed?
A: The organizers have partnered with the running community. Happy Feet, responsible in particular for the distribution of race bibs and for relaying the values of the race to clubs and groups of runners across the country.
Q: Who can participate and what are the registration requirements?
A: The event remains open to the general public; however, the places in the system Elite Applications are subject to the presentation of recent and certified performances. Specific registration details are provided by the organizers and their partners.
Q: What measures have been taken to avoid the effects of the heat?
A: The starts were organized very early in the morning for the long races, in order to limit exposure to the heat and to offer more favorable conditions for the performance and comfort of the participants.
Q: What is the impact of My Vietnam 2026 on the dynamics of running in Vietnam?
A: The event reflects a strong trend: running is becoming a mass leisure activity in large cities. This enthusiasm is evident in other recent events that have brought together thousands of participants, demonstrating a rapidly growing sport and a proliferation of local clubs and events.
Q: Are the rankings and awards specified?
A: The article does not detail the prizes or the exact format of the rankings; the system Elite However, it aims to structure the competition for high-performing runners, while the entire event retains an accessible and festive dimension.
Q: What is the role of the organizer Zaha Vietnam in the event?
A: Zaha Vietnam oversees the production of the race and its integration into the official program of national celebrations, coordinating the logistical, sporting and partnership aspects of My Vietnam 2026.
Q: Where can I find additional information before the race?
A: Practical details and updates are disseminated by the organization and partner communities; for any clarification on schedules, bib collection or instructions, please refer to the official communications of the event.