Da Nang continues to affirm its vision of becoming a leading sports–tourism destination in the region by simultaneously hosting two international-scale events, contributing to the development of sports tourism and elevating the city’s position on the global events map.
With just one month to go, Vietnam will host its first-ever full-distance IRONMAN race, with the main race day scheduled for May 10. This milestone marks a significant step in Vietnam’s journey to establish its presence on the global endurance sports stage.
The event will take place in the coastal city of Da Nang, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of IRONMAN 70.3 Da Nang – an annual race held since 2015. Both events are organized by Sunrise Events Vietnam, the organization that has developed the IRONMAN ecosystem in Vietnam over the past decade.
The full-distance IRONMAN triathlon, covering a total of 140.6 miles – including a 2.4-mile swim (3.8 km), a 112-mile bike ride (180 km), and a 26.2-mile run (42.2 km) – is widely regarded as one of the most physically demanding one-day sporting events in the world. Due to its scale and stringent safety requirements, only a limited number of destinations globally are qualified to host a full-distance IRONMAN each year.
Therefore, Vietnam’s debut as a host for the full-distance IRONMAN carries special significance. The event positions Vietnam as the 32nd country to host this distance, highlighting the strong growth of endurance sports domestically and demonstrating the country’s increasing capability to organize large-scale international sporting events.
Amid Vietnam’s continued growth and deeper global integration, VNG has played a pioneering role in bringing IRONMAN to the country, serving as the Strategic Partner over many years. Building on the foundation of IRONMAN 70.3 Da Nang, VNG continues to collaborate with Sunrise Events Vietnam to elevate the event by introducing the full-distance IRONMAN (140.6) to Vietnam for the first time, marking a new milestone for the nation’s endurance sports scene on the global stage.
This growth is clearly reflected in the expanding scale of VNG IRONMAN 70.3 Da Nang. From just over 1,000 athletes representing 54 countries in 2015, the event has grown to more than 3,100 athletes from 90 countries in 2026 – the highest number ever recorded. This demonstrates the event’s increasing global reach and international connectivity. Notably, registration closed two months ahead of race day, indicating that athletes are planning their race calendars earlier and prioritizing this event. Additionally, the participation of over 300 athletes from the IRONMAN All World Athlete (AWA) program – a global ranking system for top-performing age-group athletes – has further elevated the competitive level of the race.
Alongside the support of partners, the event aligns with Da Nang’s long-term development strategy. Local authorities emphasize that the race is part of the city’s strategy to develop sports tourism and attract international visitors. Over the past decade, Da Nang has invested in coastal infrastructure and public spaces to gradually position itself as a destination for international events, including VNG IRONMAN Vietnam and VNG IRONMAN 70.3 Da Nang.
Ms. Truong Thi Hong Hanh, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang, stated:
“Hosting the first full-distance IRONMAN in Vietnam is a significant milestone that contributes to elevating Da Nang’s position on the international sports map. The city continues to invest in infrastructure, urban landscapes, and overall experience to meet the increasing standards of large-scale sporting events. By hosting international competitions such as VNG IRONMAN Vietnam and VNG IRONMAN 70.3 Da Nang, Da Nang once again affirms its vision of becoming a dynamic sports–tourism hub in the region. We are committed to working closely with organizers and partners to ensure the highest quality of event delivery, while promoting the image of Da Nang and Vietnam to international visitors.”
Accordingly, this year’s event organization focuses on enhancing the overall participant experience by optimizing spaces and connectivity throughout the event week. The central hub will be located at East Sea Park – one of Da Nang’s signature coastal public spaces – serving as the swim start area, finish line, and IRONMAN Village, and acting as the main gathering point for athletes and spectators.
At the same time, key activities such as the Opening Ceremony, Press Conference, Awards Ceremony, and a talk featuring triathlon legend Mark Allen – marking his second visit to Da Nang – will take place at Wyndham Soleil Danang, the event’s official hotel partner. Located along My Khe Beach and within walking distance of East Sea Park, the hotel offers convenient access to key race venues. With international-standard facilities and services, Wyndham Soleil Danang plays a vital role in ensuring smooth event operations and enhancing the athlete experience throughout race week from May 7 to 11, 2026.
In addition, this year’s edition expands the experience through digital innovation, as Sunrise Events Vietnam partners with Run Concierge to introduce SEV Concierge – an AI-powered digital assistant – making its debut at a sporting event in Vietnam. Acting as a personal assistant, the tool allows users to access official race information through fast and intuitive conversational interactions. It is also integrated with Google Maps for real-time navigation, helping participants move efficiently between race venues and locations across the city. Furthermore, the platform provides recommendations for accommodation and attractions in Da Nang, offering a seamless journey from competition to destination exploration.
Ms. Vo Tang Phuong Anh, Deputy General Director of Sunrise Events Vietnam, shared:
“Over the past decade, we have witnessed the steady growth of the endurance sports community in Vietnam. Hosting a full-distance IRONMAN not only reflects the maturity of the local athlete community but also demonstrates that Vietnam is ready to host large-scale events that meet international standards. In this context, the introduction of SEV Concierge this year is part of our efforts to enhance the athlete experience through technology. We believe these innovations will continue to improve event quality and contribute to the long-term development of endurance sports in Vietnam.”
This year’s race also opens up milestone competitive opportunities, as athletes can qualify for IRONMAN World Championship events, including the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii (October 10, 2026) and the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France (September 12–13, 2026).
Positioned as a multi-sport festival, the event week will feature a variety of activities alongside the two main races. It begins with the Newborns Vietnam Run Out charity run on May 8, raising awareness about timely neonatal care and encouraging community support for life-saving programs for newborns in Vietnam. Participants will receive a limited-edition ceramic finisher medal by Minh Long, marking their contribution to this meaningful cause.
On May 9, SUNRISE SPRINT Vietnam – a short-distance triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) – and IRONKIDS Vietnam events (swim–run and swim–bike–run formats for children aged 5 to 15) will take place, promoting an active lifestyle among younger generations.
Beyond competition, the event week is designed as a comprehensive experience space. The IRONMAN Village will serve as the central hub, bringing together athletes, spectators, and sports brands through various products and interactive activities. The exclusive 2026 IRONMAN merchandise collection will also mark a special milestone for the season. With this approach, organizers expect to attract thousands of international visitors, contributing positively to the local tourism and service sectors, while further strengthening Da Nang’s position on the global sports events map.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS
ABOUT IRONMAN GROUP
IRONMAN organizes international events including IRONMAN®, IRONMAN® 70.3®, 5150™, Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, Iron Girl®, IRONKIDS®, the Union World triathlon series, cycling events such as the UCI Velothon Majors Series, mountain biking events like the Absa Cape Epic, as well as major marathons including Standard Chartered Singapore and the Abbott World Marathon Majors. With over one million participants annually, IRONMAN delivers premier endurance sports experiences worldwide. Since its inception in 1978, IRONMAN has grown into a global brand with more than 200 events across over 50 countries. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group
ABOUT ADVANCE
Advance is a privately held family company that owns and invests in businesses across media, entertainment, technology, communications, and education. Its mission is to build long-term enterprise value through innovation and growth. Its portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, 1010data, and Pop. The company employs more than 17,000 people across 29 countries and is also one of the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Discovery, and Reddit. More information is available at www.advance.com
ABOUT VNG
Founded in 2004, VNG operates one of Vietnam’s leading digital ecosystems, with diverse products and services across four main segments: online games, Zalo, digital payments, and enterprise solutions. Its mission is “Building Technology and Growing People. From Vietnam to the world.” VNG’s platforms have transformed digital experiences for millions of users globally. The company currently employs over 3,200 people across nine cities worldwide.
ABOUT SUNRISE EVENTS VIETNAM – ORGANIZER
Established in 2015, Sunrise Events Vietnam (SEV) is the exclusive license holder of World Triathlon Corporation for IRONMAN, IRONMAN 70.3, 5150 Triathlon Series, and IRONKIDS events in Vietnam. SEV’s vision is to inspire individuals to reach their full potential through sports and healthy lifestyles. Its mission is to create highly anticipated mass participation events, expand the health and wellness ecosystem, and deliver lasting impact for individuals, businesses, and communities. SEV organizes a wide range of endurance sports events, including IRONMAN Vietnam, IRONMAN 70.3 Da Nang, IRONMAN 70.3 Phu Quoc, IRONMAN 5150 Phu Quoc, SUNRISE SPRINT Vietnam, IRONKIDS Vietnam, IRONKIDS Phu Quoc, the Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon, the Hanoi International Marathon, and KIDS RUN.
DA NANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
