Da Nang hosts the IRONMAN triathlon.

(NLĐO) - The IRONMAN full-distance triathlon event, scheduled to take place in Vietnam in May 2026, will mark a new milestone in the development of endurance sports.

A press conference announcing Vietnam's first-ever hosting of the IRONMAN full-distance triathlon was held by the IRONMAN Group on the morning of September 23rd in Da Nang.

This event officially marks a significant milestone in the international integration process of Vietnamese sports, and at the same time makes Da Nang a new destination on the map of top endurance competitions in the world .

Announcement of the first IRONMAN full-distance race in Vietnam in May 2026

IRONMAN Vietnam 2026 will be held concurrently with IRONMAN 70.3 Da Nang , a familiar race that has been held since 2015, with the expectation of contributing to the spread of the triathlon movement in Vietnam.

According to the announcement, the IRONMAN race in Da Nang City consists of three events: a 3.8 km swim at Bien Dong Park; a 180 km bike ride along the Vo Nguyen Giap coastal road, Thuan Phuoc Bridge, and suburban fields; and a 42.2 km run along My Khe beach with the finish line at Bien Dong Park.

The athletes will cycle 180 km.

Jeff Edwards, Asia Regional Managing Director of IRONMAN Group, said: "Da Nang has been a fantastic destination for IRONMAN 70.3 for the past 10 years, so hosting the first full-time IRONMAN in Vietnam is a significant step forward, offering an experience for both international athletes and the local community."

...swim 3.8 km at East Sea Park

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City People's Committee, affirmed that hosting the 2026 IRONMAN race is proof of the central city's capacity to organize world-class events.

"Da Nang will meticulously prepare the infrastructure and resources, and coordinate closely with relevant parties to ensure the success of the event, thereby promoting Da Nang as a dynamic, modern, and attractive destination," emphasized Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairperson of the Da Nang City People's Committee, spoke at the press conference.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Thao, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang City, believes that this event not only enhances the image of Da Nang City but also creates momentum for the sustainable development of endurance sports ecosystems, bringing long-term benefits to the community and the local tourism industry.

Mr. Trinh Bang, representative of Sunrise Events Vietnam (co-organizer), emphasized: "Since bringing IRONMAN 70.3 to Vietnam in 2015, we have believed that the country has the necessary conditions to host a full-fledged IRONMAN race. After a decade, the athlete community has grown stronger, sports infrastructure has been standardized, and now Vietnam is ready to enter the world-class arena."

The official registration portal for IRONMAN Vietnam 2026 will open on September 25, 2025, at https://www.ironman.com/races/im-vietnam. The organizers expect the event to not only attract thousands of international athletes and fans, but also provide a major boost to the sports and tourism industries and the national image.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/da-nang-dang-cai-giai-the-thao-3-mon-phoi-hop-ironman-19625092317233954.htm