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

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 2025 VnExpress Marathon system, VVMM 2025 is honored to be a 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 vacant land in Tay Ninh and Thanh Hoa.

According to the organizers, 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.

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 on 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 regardless of day or 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 route of VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight 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 tournament as part of the criteria to register for the world's largest marathons such as Chicago, Tokyo, Boston...

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 steps, 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 running 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 each 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...

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 each athlete's personal milestone after conquering the challenge but also contributes to spreading the spirit of responsibility for the environment.

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 bringing athletes a tour 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 for kids 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.