Run through Vietnam’s ancient imperial city

Thousands of visitors gather in the historic capital, marching on the heritage trail and adding a unique colour to the land known for its tranquility. Hue, located in Central Vietnam, is a place where early civilizations combined to create the cultural harmony that is currently visible in the life and legacy that this part of Vietnam has preserved.

Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for 320 years (1626–1945) over its over 700-year history. Not only is the city known for its beautiful natural landscape, but it is also the only historic capital in Vietnam that has preserved its overall architecture, as well as tens of thousands of especially valuable antiquities from ancient times.

The ancient capital is home to five UNESCO heritages: Hue Monuments Complex (1993), Royal Court Music (2003), Woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty (2009), Imperial Records of the Nguyen Dynasty (2014), and Poetry on Hue Royal Architecture (2016). The city is also co-holder of two shared UNESCO heritage titles with other localities.

Hue, majestically hidden, quiet and simple, is made brilliant by the colours of the Royal Palace with its lush green patches of grass and trees and its heavy love of art and culinary culture. The VnExpress Marathon pioneered the introduction of a mass race to the area with its first season in 2020. Participants and observers alike have been captivated by the vibrant image of Hue.

VnExpress Marathon Imperial Hue is an annual event jointly organized by VnExpress, FPT Online Services Joint Stock Company (FPT Online), and the Thua Thien-Hue Province People’s Committee. The race includes four distances: full marathon, half marathon, 10km, and 5km, and the courses meet AIMS standards.

The VnExpress Marathon Imperial Hue route takes runners through a variety of famous sights, including the Hue Imperial City, the Truong Tien Bridge and Phu Van Lau. Participants also run through several of Hue’s new urban neighbourhoods and experience a range of emotions as they take in the historic features of the nostalgic former capital alongside the new colours of the expanding urban area.

VnExpress Marathon is a professional organiser and operator of sporting events, particularly marathons and aquathlons. The company is known for organising the largest events in Vietnam, has significant organization and provides a variety of premium amenities to participants. It has left its mark not only in Hue but also in Hanoi, Ha Long, Hai Phong, Quy Nhon, and Ho Chi Minh City.

VnExpress Marathon events consistently offer plentiful water stations (on average every 2km), medical spots, toilets, and a system of signage along the race to ensure the safety and health of runners.

It also offers athletes complimentary foot baths, muscle relaxation and food after the race. The race series impresses all with a diverse array of T shirts and medals rich in local cultural hues. With the support and careful coordination of local authorities, VnExpress Marathon, with up to 2000 people involved, has been recognised as the organiser with the greatest presence on race day.

VnExpress Marathon is a sports-social project with the objective of serving the community and supporting regions and municipalities to improve their health, tourism potential and investment attraction. Its goal is to develop a running community and encourage sporting habits among Vietnamese people.

The event also strives for environmentally sustainable development by guaranteeing that all waste generated by the event is disposed of completely. The VnExpress Marathons in general and VnExpress Marathon Imperial Hue in particular are journeys full of pleasant contrasts that await your discovery. The event will serve as an invitation to an unforgettable experience of love, hospitality, and emotional fulfilment in Vietnam.