The opening ceremony of the Danang International Marathon 2026 officially took place at East Sea Park, marking the start of the 13th season of one of Vietnam’s largest international marathon events.
This year’s race has attracted nearly 9,000 runners from 75 countries and territories, including almost 3,200 international participants, further affirming Da Nang’s appeal as a leading sports and tourism destination in the region.
The event is organised by Pulse Active, under the direction of the Da Nang People’s Committee, in coordination with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang, with the support of various departments, agencies and local units.
The opening ceremony was attended by city leaders and representatives of relevant agencies, including Ms. Truong Thi Hong Hanh – Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang; Mr. Tao Viet Hai – Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang; Mr. Nguyen Trong Thao – Former Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang; Ms. Le Thi My Hanh – Head of Sports Management Division, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang; and Mr. Pham Ba Dung – CEO of Pulse Active, the event organiser. Also in attendance were representatives from city departments such as Da Nang City Police, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Construction, the Management Board of Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang Tourist Beaches, along with sponsors, media partners, and a large number of domestic and international runners.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tao Viet Hai – Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang – emphasised the role of the event in promoting the city’s image:
“With the strong coordination among city departments, Da Nang authorities and the organising unit, we are confident in the continued growth of the race in the years ahead. This event is a key strength in positioning Da Nang as an ideal destination for sports activities, particularly running. Each year, the race is expanded in both scale and quality to provide an even better experience for participants.”
According to the organisers, the Danang International Marathon 2026 recorded a growth of approximately 20% in participant numbers compared to the previous season. The countries with the highest number of participants include Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia.
The race features multiple distances, including the Marathon (42 km), Half Marathon (21 km), 5 km, and the Ronny Dash for children (500 m and 1.5 km).
As part of the event, the Sports Expo (Race Village) is being held from March 20–21, where runners can collect their race kits and take part in interactive activities with partner brands. The Expo is expected to welcome more than 21,000 visitors for shopping and experiential activities.
The Ronny Dash for children will take place on the afternoon of March 21, ahead of the official race distances starting on the morning of March 22, 2026.
After more than a decade of organisation, the Danang International Marathon has become the marathon event with the largest number of international participants in Vietnam, contributing to the promotion of sports spirit, the development of the running community, and the positioning of Da Nang as a dynamic and runner-friendly destination for the global community.
DA NANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
