My favorite trail marathons in Vietnam.

by Footprint Team (27 April, 2021) - General information

Whether it’s a vacation or hiking tours, combining fitness and travel is definitely a hot trend. My personal motivation to exercise stems mainly from the promise of traveling to a new location. Each year I pick a destination and find a race I can run. While finishing the marathon feels euphoric, enjoying that race in a beautiful nature and mountain setting, a fun destination, or with the promise of a really excellent bonus at the finish line, makes it my travel the more worthwhile.

Here are the suggested trails marathon destinations in Vietnam for those who love combining of travel and fitness:

Moc Chau Trail Marathon
Mộc Châu is famous for peach orchards and tea plantations. The Vietnam Trail Marathon follows a carefully plotted course through the agricultural heart of Mộc Châu during the height of its peach blossom season. Colorful floral displays will compete for attention with forested mountains, and never-ending rice and tea fields. There are many distances offered in the Vietnam Trail Marathon, including an ultra-marathon for more daring runners.
Distances: 70KM, 42KM, 25KM, 10KM, 5KM.
Time: January

Dalat Ultra Trail
Dalat Ultra Trail is held in the highlands of Dalat with immense pine forests, majestic mountains, poetic lakes and waterfalls.
Distances: 100KM, 70KM, 42KM, 25KM and 10KM.
Time: March

Cuc Phuong Jungle Path
Cuc Phuong is a National Park, a special-use forest located on the boundary of three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa. This national park has a diverse flora and fauna system featuring tropical rainforests and is also the first national park in Vietnam.
Distances: 70KM, 42KM, 25KM and 10KM.
Time: May

Sapa Mountain Marathon
The rolling fog-covered hills of Sa Pa serve a worthy challenge in this Vietnam Mountain Marathon. The mainly vertical terrain promises spectacular views as well as a difficult run. There are numerous distances ranging from five kilometres to a staggering 100-kilometer super marathon. Whether you prefer a brief jaunt past the rice fields or the physical challenge of a lifetime, you’re bound to make memories in Sa Pa.
Distances: 100MILES, 100KM, 70KM, 42KM, 25KM, 10KM.
Time: August

PuLuong Jungle Marathon
Once a year a unique runners’ challenge emerges from the dense forests of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Contestants in the carefully mapped Vietnam Jungle Marathon power through small villages, sharing the road with livestock and jungle brush. The tropical climate and lush landscape brings its own rewards and moments. There are many distances to choose from, including an ultra-marathon. Just don’t forget to enjoy the view.
Distances: 70KM, 55KM, 42KM, 25KM and 10KM.
Time: October

Hanoi Ultra Trail
Hanoi Ultra Trail (HNUT) is the most beautiful terrain race near Hanoi. The trail run will take the runner to the beautiful nature of Soc Son – a place of immense pine forest, challenging Ham Pig mountain, dreamy white fields or a vast green lake.
Distance: 5km – 15km – 35km – 55km.
Time: December.