Ho Chi Minh City: Promoting tourism through symbolic sporting events

VHO - Officially taking place on December 7, the 8th Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon - 2025 attracted more than 20,000 domestic and foreign athletes to compete, connect the community and promote tourism in the City.

This is a typical community sports event of the City, organized by the Department of Tourism in coordination with the Department of Culture and Sports (VH&TT), and the Ho Chi Minh City Athletics Federation.

Affirming the position of tourism and sports center

Within the framework of the event, the Organizing Committee (OC) announced the race kit, including drawstring bags, racing shirts, finishing shirts and medals designed with inspiration from the vision of developing the City into an international megacity.

The competition kit is designed based on the typical symbol of Ho Chi Minh City.

In which, the main image is a combination of three symbols including: Ben Thanh Market - a typical cultural and commercial mark of the City, Binh Duong Administrative Center building - symbolizing the vitality of the new urban area and Vung Tau lighthouse - symbolizing the intersection between land and sea.

This idea not only aims to honor the identity of each region, but also demonstrates the spirit of solidarity and the aspiration to reach the level of the City after the merger, contributing to making Ho Chi Minh City become the leading destination for sports tourism in the region. At the same time, it spreads the spirit of health training, outstanding living and brings the Vietnamese marathon movement to the regional level.

Notably, the set of items is also highly applicable and can accompany daily training, so that each athlete can continue to become an ambassador spreading a healthy lifestyle, outstanding spirit and pride of the City's people.

The event attracted more than 20,000 domestic and foreign athletes to participate.

Mr. Pham Huy Binh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, shared that this year's tournament is a special sports and tourism highlight within the framework of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Week 2025 event series, contributing to affirming the image of a dynamic, friendly and vibrant city.

The competition kit is designed based on the typical symbol of the City after the merger, not only showing the connection between sports and tourism, but also reflecting the sustainable and creative development orientation in the new period.

We expect this year’s tournament to continue to enhance the experience for athletes and domestic and international tourists, thereby strengthening Ho Chi Minh City’s position as one of the leading tourism and sports centers in the region, Mr. Binh emphasized.

Spread the sports movement

Mr. Nguyen Nam Nhan, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon is a symbolic sporting event of the City, aiming to promote the sports movement, improve spiritual life and strengthen social cohesion.

The race also aims to promote the sports movement.

Mr. Nhan emphasized that, in addition to its professional value, the tournament also has profound cultural significance, contributing to building a dynamic and healthy lifestyle for the people. It creates motivation for the development of mass sports, while affirming the City's pioneering role in the development of sustainable culture, sports and tourism.

As a strategic sponsor, Ms. Thai Minh Diem Tu - Director of Marketing Division of Techcombank shared that Techcombank is committed to long-term and sustainable companionship with the tournament to bring breakthrough initiatives, create value and contribute to raising the level of the symbolic race of Ho Chi Minh City with the spirit of "Running for a superior Vietnam".

Representing the implementing unit, Mr. Rob Zamacona - General Director of Sunrise Events Vietnam Company said that they will continue to apply technology and smart data to personalize the athlete's journey, expand online interaction activities and the community.

Within the framework of the race, 4.2 billion VND was launched and donated to support surgery and rehabilitation for children with leg deformities.

This year's race route continues to be AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) certified, ensuring results are recognized globally and expanding opportunities for athletes to participate in prestigious events such as the Boston Marathon or London Marathon.

The organizers said that before the tournament, the 10th World Congress on Mass Sports (MPW25) will take place on December 4-5 with the theme "From Event to Ecosystem", gathering international experts in the fields of sports, health and tourism to share experiences in building a comprehensive sports ecosystem, where each event becomes a driving force for community development, culture and local economy.

Within the framework of this year's season, Techcombank and the Love Touch Fund launched the virtual run "Run for the future of Vietnamese children", raising 4.2 billion VND to support surgery and rehabilitation for children with leg deformities, helping them have the opportunity to walk on their own two feet.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/tphcm-quang-ba-du-lich-qua-su-kien-the-thao-mang-tinh-bieu-trung-185318.html