The 5th Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon Officially Opens

Under the direction of the Hanoi People’s Committee, the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, together with Sunrise Events Vietnam and Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank), officially opened the 5th Edition of the Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon.

As a signature running event of the Capital, the race contributes to celebrating Hanoi’s heritage, promoting healthy lifestyles, and creating momentum for the growth of the cultural economy, tourism, and service sectors. Both the Opening Ceremony and the official Race Day will be broadcast live on Vietnam’s national television network via VTV6 and VTVGo.

Ms. Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Ms. Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, said: “The health of our people is an important foundation for building a Capital that is cultured, civilized, modern and happy. The City has consistently placed importance on promoting physical activity and sports and improving public health, while recognizing the role of mass-participation sporting events in inspiring people to maintain active lifestyles. Hanoi also seeks to guide and create favorable conditions for businesses, social organizations, educational institutions, sports clubs and, most importantly, the public to work together to promote healthy living within families and communities, creating positive momentum across society. Today’s event marks not only the opening of a new race edition, but also the starting point for the ‘A Million Running Steps for a Healthier Vietnam’ campaign, while reaffirming the appeal of the Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon as a signature event of the Capital.”

As Vietnam works toward its goal of becoming a high-income developed country, Hanoi is not only the nation’s Capital but also a key economic engine expected to become an effective regional and global connectivity hub. Hanoi’s priorities extend beyond economic indicators to include quality of life, public health and the nation’s cultural strength, in line with the spirit of Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW and Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the development of Vietnamese culture and breakthrough measures to strengthen the protection, care and improvement of public health, key pillars of sustainable development.

The Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon is a signature sporting event of the Capital that goes beyond the scope of a conventional sports competition. It contributes to shaping a new symbol of a modern, dynamic, livable and distinctive Hanoi. Every running step not only helps promote a healthy lifestyle, but also connects heritage with the future, showcases the Capital to international audiences, and creates further momentum for the cultural economy, tourism and service sectors, which play an increasingly important role in national competitiveness.

Over five editions, the Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon has attracted more than 54,000 athletes from 57 countries and territories, building strong international reach and contributing to the promotion of the cultural and heritage values of Hanoi in particular and Vietnam as a whole, while generating positive economic impact. In 2025, the event’s estimated economic impact reached USD 13.7 million, equivalent to more than VND 350 billion, through tourism, accommodation, commerce, and services.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Dr. Jens Lottner, Chief Executive Officer of Techcombank, said: “A connected society, a culture rich in identity, and healthy citizens form the foundation of sustainable development. This is also the consistent spirit that the Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon has pursued over the past five editions. Techcombank is proud to work alongside the City of Hanoi in building a highly meaningful event that contributes positively to public health, economic and cultural life, and the image of both the Capital and Vietnam on the international stage.”

Delegates press the button to officially launch the 5th Edition of the Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon

The 5th Edition of the Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon features a range of distinctive highlights, from its organizational scale and supporting activities to improvements in the athlete experience in line with international standards, as well as cultural initiatives and meaningful charitable activities.

The “One Hanoi. One Million Steps Forward” exhibition, an initiative introduced for the first time this year, attracted more than 3,000 entries showcasing compelling images of Hanoi’s people, culture, heritage, and contemporary life through the lenses of photographers from across the country. Since September 26, 2026, thousands of Vietnamese and international visitors have viewed the exhibition in the historic Hoan Kiem Lake area, helping showcase Hanoi’s distinctive beauty while encouraging a deeper appreciation of positive and humane values.

Commenting on the new highlights of this year’s event, Ms. Thai Minh Diem Tu, Chief Marketing Officer of Techcombank, said: “Over the past five editions, we have contributed more than VND 20 billion to sports development and social welfare initiatives. In particular, for the fifth edition, we introduced the ‘One Hanoi. One Million Steps Forward’ exhibition to celebrate the beauty of the thousand-year-old Capital, preserve the love and pride people hold for Hanoi, and further strengthen the connection between the Capital, its people and international friends.”

At the Opening Ceremony, Techcombank representatives also presented VND 7 billion in funding for social welfare programs, continuing to put into action the bank’s commitment to community development alongside its goals of improving health and quality of life and creating sustainable value for the future.

The virtual race “Bước chạy vì tương lai trẻ em Việt” had previously raised VND 5 billion in just 11 days, becoming one of the community fundraising initiatives associated with the race to achieve particularly strong momentum. The entire amount was donated to the Cham Yeu Thuong Charity Fund to support disadvantaged children across the country through practical healthcare, education and social welfare programs.

As part of its support for this year’s event, Techcom Life is participating for the first time as the Presenting Sponsor of KIDS RUN, taking place on October 3 for children aged 5 to 14. The event is part of Techcom Life’s series of meaningful community initiatives aimed at encouraging children to develop regular physical activity habits, improve their fitness and adopt an active lifestyle from an early age.

Alongside its cultural and community initiatives, this year’s event continues to invest in race operations and the athlete experience. In 2026, the race course has once again been certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and the Vietnam Athletics Federation as meeting international standards, marking the fifth consecutive year of certification. Results recorded at the event meet eligibility requirements for registration in races within the Abbott World Marathon Majors series and may be considered for the recognition of national records in accordance with applicable regulations.

On Race Day, October 4, more than 2,000 staff members and volunteers will support event operations, with 31 hydration stations and 21 medical support points positioned along the courses. Information regarding temporary traffic restrictions, affected roads and alternative travel arrangements will be updated through the event’s official channels so that residents can plan their journeys accordingly.

For athletes pursuing high-performance goals, the Organizing Committee, in collaboration with PR SPORT, the Running Community Development Partner, is organizing the SUB3 Pace Train, bringing together 108 members targeting a SUB3 Marathon finish. The National Record-Breaking Prize, with a total value of VND 400 million sponsored by Techcom Life, provides further motivation for Vietnamese male and female athletes to pursue new benchmarks over the Marathon distance.

In parallel with the event’s performance and competition highlights, the experience for all athletes begins well before Race Day. Immediately following the Opening Ceremony, the Marathon Village officially opens, welcoming athletes to collect their race kits, complete their final preparations, access essential race information, and connect with the running community. Sports, health, and active-lifestyle booths create a vibrant space for Vietnamese and international athletes, running clubs, families, and those participating in a running event for the first time.

Athlete Lam Quang Nhat, Sunrise Events Vietnam Ambassador, shared: “As soon as I entered the Marathon Village, I was impressed by its scale and atmosphere. The different areas are clearly organized, making it convenient for athletes to prepare for the race, access information and connect with the running community. For me, the experiences before Race Day are also an important part of participating in the event, helping athletes feel more excited and confident before taking to the course.”

Throughout the event, SEV RunConcierge, an AI-powered digital assistant, will be available to help athletes access schedules, race information, course guidance, and interactive maps. The platform also provides information on destinations, cultural experiences, and local cuisine, making it easier for athletes to explore Hanoi during their time at the event.

Mrs. Anh Vo, Chief Executive Officer of Sunrise Events Vietnam, shared: “Entering the fifth edition, Sunrise Events Vietnam continues to place safety, technical quality and high organizational standards at the heart of the athlete experience. The scale of the event is only meaningful when every participant, from those competing for top performances to those completing a distance for the first time, receives comprehensive support throughout their experience. We therefore review every touchpoint, from pre-race information and the Marathon Village experience to on-course support and information tools such as SEV RunConcierge. This provides a foundation for the event to continue connecting people and encouraging participants to remain active beyond Race Day.”

On October 4, more than 14,500 athletes from 57 countries and territories will gather in Hanoi to continue the story of an internationally scaled running event built on a shared love for the Capital and the spirit of “Run for a Greater Vietnam.”

By Vietnam Business Forum