Unlocking the potential of sports tourism.

With its majestic mountain ranges, vast primeval forests, and picturesque streams, especially the tea hills, plum blossom valleys, expansive canola fields, orange groves, and ripe red persimmon orchards, Son La creates an impressive landscape for its running routes. Son La is asserting its position as the new "capital" of sports tourism, attracting numerous domestic and international tourists to explore and experience its attractions.

Vietnam Trail Marathon 2026.

The Vietnam Trail Marathon is one of the major sporting events that has created a strong tourism promotion effect and has been maintained for many years in the Moc Chau National Tourist Area. The annual race is held at the beginning of spring when the Moc Chau plateau enters its most beautiful season. The 2026 Vietnam Trail Marathon attracted more than 4,200 athletes from many countries and territories, bringing a vibrant sporting atmosphere to the Moc Chau plateau. Along the running routes, ranging from 5km to 70km, athletes not only competed but also immersed themselves in the pristine natural environment with lush green tea hills, orchards laden with roses, fruit trees in full bloom, and the rustic villages of the Hmong and Thai people, appearing like scenes from a movie.

Kristen Lewis from England, a veteran athlete participating in this year's Vietnam Trail Marathon, enthusiastically shared: "I am very impressed with the natural scenery of Moc Chau plateau. Every route is beautiful with vibrant flowers, and the people are friendly, welcoming, and cheering us on to achieve our goals. I feel absolutely in love with this place."

The off-road motorcycle race was held at Moc Chau National Tourist Area.

With its diverse terrain and relatively short distance from Hanoi, Moc Chau National Tourist Area is an ideal location for hosting adventurous and exploratory sports events, including many international and national-level events such as: the 2022 and 2023 Off-Road Motorcycle Race; the 2024 VTV Cup Off-Road Cycling Race; and the 2025 Vietnam Off-Road Motorcycle Race. Notably, the Vietnam Automobile Sports Federation recently held a meeting with the Provincial People's Committee regarding the organization of the 2026 International Off-Road Car Race in Moc Chau, tentatively scheduled for May 2026, with many attractive side activities.

Mr. Ngo Viet Dung, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Automobile Sports Federation, informed: "We have thoroughly researched and surveyed the area and selected Moc Chau Island Tourist Area as the main venue for the race. We expect 20-30 domestic and international racing teams to participate. The race will be held in mid-May, coinciding with the plum ripening season and the Plum Harvesting Festival, which will create a strong synergy to promote and attract tourists to the Moc Chau National Tourist Area. We hope that Son La province will support and facilitate the successful organization of the race, aiming for a professional, large-scale sporting event linked to local tourism promotion."

The "Returning to the Colors of My Day Flowers" running event in Muong La commune in 2026.

Not only the Moc Chau National Tourist Area in Son La, with its heavily dissected terrain creating winding mountain passes and peaks perpetually shrouded in clouds such as Phu Sa Phin, Sa Mu, Pha Luong, and Ta Tao, but also other areas possess unique natural advantages that facilitate the strong development of adventure sports tourism. Most recently, Muong La commune has impressed with the "Returning to the Colors of the Dayflower" race in 2026, the "Golden Season Amidst the Clouds of Ban It" race in 2025; the race to conquer Pom Luong peak in Muong Bu commune; the conquest of Khau Pum peak in Muong Chien commune... Or activities guiding tourists to explore, experience, and conquer Phu Sa Phin peak (Xim Vang), Ta Tao peak (Ngoc Chien)... are becoming attractive tours for those who love mountain climbing (trekking).

Mr. Tran Xuan Viet, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: Currently, the province is implementing a plan for a system of golf courses in the Moc Chau and Quynh Nhai National Tourist Areas. Along with that, tourist areas and destinations are also focusing on investing in infrastructure alongside facilities serving sports and health care. This is an important factor in promoting the development of sports tourism in Son La. In addition, hiking and trekking tourism is also included in the tourism development orientation for the coming period to diversify tourism products, attract tourists, especially linking tourism with exploration, experiences, environmental protection, and biodiversity conservation.

Large-scale sporting events and mountain climbing expeditions are no longer just endurance races, but bridges connecting people with nature, and linking national cultural identity with international friends. With the right strategy and the concerted efforts of the government, businesses, and people, the trails through the vast forests of Son La will surely attract even more tourists, making sports tourism a unique and attractive product of Son La tourism.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/du-lich/danh-thuc-tiem-nang-du-lich-the-thao-MiqCiXNDR.html