The night race with the largest number of athletes in Vietnam is about to start.

The third edition of the VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight will officially kick off on the morning of February 23, 2025, expected to attract more than 12,000 runners from 50 countries and territories. This is the night race with the largest number of runners ever, with a brightly lit running route and spreading a positive message about ESG.

VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight (VVMM) marks two prestigious and experienced names in organizing and operating the running system, VPBank and VnExpress Marathon, in a strategic partnership, creating top running events.

As the opening event of the VnExpress Marathon system in 2025, VVMM 2025 is honored to be the race towards the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification. Not only that, each athlete participating in the tournament will have the opportunity to contribute to spreading the ESG message, greening the vacant land in Tay Ninh and Thanh Hoa.

VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight officially opened at noon on February 21

According to the organizing committee, the tournament recorded 12,000 registered athletes. This is a record number of registrations in the VnExpress Marathon system since its inception in 2019, and is also one of the night races with the largest number of athletes in Vietnam to date. The tournament attracted more than 600 foreign athletes and many teams with thousands of members to participate.

Starting from Truong Dinh Street, 12,000 athletes will compete on the route through famous landmarks of Saigon such as Tao Dan Park, Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Bach Dang Wharf... exploring the youthfulness and dynamism of District 1 or the new urban area of ​​Thu Thiem and then finishing at Le Duan Street, in front of the Zoo. This colorful route will be an opportunity for athletes to see the "city that never sleeps" with its bustling life day and night through different lenses.

This is also a great opportunity for the organizers and runners to join hands to promote the image of Ho Chi Minh City at night, brilliant and vibrant, to the domestic and international running community. The VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight route has been certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distances (AIMS) as meeting the competition length standards for all 4 distances. Athletes can use their achievements at the race as part of the criteria to register for the world's largest marathons such as Chicago, Tokyo, Boston...

Mr. Nguyen Nam Nhan - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City said that this year's night run is an activity towards the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification.

With the desire to create a night running route with brilliant lights, for the first time in the night running system, athletes will be equipped with glowing bracelets in their racekit bags. With 12,000 bracelets glowing simultaneously with each runner's footsteps, the night route will become a brilliant "river of light", bringing a unique visual experience. This is not only a combination of sports and light art, but also a memorable moment, where the spirit of solidarity and positive energy of each step shines.

In addition, 200 electric motorbikes from Be Group will be used to light up the dark road of more than 3km in Thu Thiem, located on the racing route of 21km and 42km. The lights from the convoy not only ensure safe visibility but also create an impressive scene, turning every step into an inspiring journey. Aiming for the safety and best experience for athletes, the Organizing Committee also arranged 15 water stations, 12 medical stations and 8 cheering stations throughout the journey...

Mr. Tran Phong Lanh - Southern Director - Personal Banking Division - VPBank hopes that the race will bring vibrant Saigon night experiences and spread positive messages about ESG.

In particular, after completing the race, each athlete can contribute 30,000 VND to plant trees by sticking their running BIB on the "Prosperity Forest" at the finish line through the TreeBank Fund (a non-profit program managed and coordinated by the Institute for Development Communication Research). Each BIB stuck on the "Prosperity Forest" symbolizes a green sprout planted in Tay Ninh and Thanh Hoa, contributing to overcoming forest degradation, protecting water resources, regulating the climate, preventing natural disasters towards sustainable development goals while developing the local economy and society. This small action not only marks the personal milestone of each athlete after conquering the challenge but also contributes to spreading the spirit of responsibility for the environment.

Mr. Tran Phong Lanh, VPBank representative, received a gratitude plaque from the VnExpress Marathon Organizing Committee.

VPBank representative said that in the second year of accompanying the race, VPBank wishes to spread the values ​​of physical and mental prosperity to everyone and create a community of Vietnamese people who love sports, live healthily and healthily, thereby conveying positive messages about ESG to the community.

"Last year, VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight 2024 was a special season when it was evaluated by Ho Chi Minh City as a model event of the city. We hope that this season, VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight will continue to be a great success, not only ensuring the marathon racing experience, but also giving athletes the experience of a tour in the middle of the bustling Saigon night and spreading a positive message about ESG", VPBank representative shared.

Within the framework of the VVMM 2025 race, the Kun Marathon kids race took place on the morning of February 22, with the participation of 2,000 children aged 6-10 years old at Le Duan Street, in front of the Zoo and Botanical Garden gate. They will conquer a route about 750m long, with a number of interesting challenges and obstacles on the racetrack.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giai-chay-dem-co-so-luong-van-dong-vien-lon-bac-nhat-viet-nam-sap-khoi-tranh-18525022116243013.htm