 |
| Although not an official race category, the Kun Marathon always attracts a large number of young runners |
In 2026, the event draws more than 8,000 athletes, doubling the number recorded at its inaugural edition in 2020. Among them, runners from Hue account for about half, with over 4,000 participants, while the rest come from various provinces nationwide, along with more than 200 international runners representing 40 countries and territories.
Notably, participation is no longer limited to professional athletes but has spread widely across the amateur running community, from young people to middle-aged participants, and even children through the Kun Marathon. This demonstrates that the race has evolved beyond a community activity into a large-scale sporting event of considerable stature, serving as a concrete expression of Hue’s commitment to the movement “All people exercise following Great Uncle Ho’s example.”
According to Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee Tran Huu Thuy Giang, the significance of the marathon also lies in how it connects sports with cultural and tourism experiences. A typical three-day journey in Hue, from bib collection, attending the Expo, to racing, exploring heritage sites and enjoying local cuisine, … these has formed a complete tourism product, where runners not only compete but also “live with Hue.”
“From the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda to local specialties such as bun bo, com hen, banh beo, and banh loc, … everything is naturally integrated into the athletes’ itinerary. This shows that the marathon has helped shape a new trend: sports tourism combined with experiencing local life, culture, heritage and cuisine,” Tran Huu Thuy Giang noted.
VnExpress Marathon Hue 2026 takes place at the opening of the Summer Festival within the framework of Hue Festival 2026, further enhancing its appeal and creating stronger links among cultural, sporting and tourism activities.
 |
| Athletes participating in VnExpress Marathon Hue 2025 passing by the Imperial Citadel |
In the previous season, within just one week of the event, Hue welcomed approximately 109,000 visitors, generating an estimated revenue of VND 221 billion, with hotel occupancy at times reaching 90%. These figures clearly demonstrate the race’s strong attraction and its positive spillover effects on services such as accommodation, food and beverage, transportation and commerce.
“One notable policy is free admission to heritage sites for runners. Given Hue’s dense system of heritage attractions, this approach helps extend visitors’ stays, encourages movement between destinations and increases overall spending,” Tran Huu Thuy Giang added.
Beyond economic and tourism impacts, the marathon has also brought visible changes to daily life. Early in the morning, when the streets are still quiet, thousands of runners fill the central roads, crossing Truong Tien Bridge and running along the Perfume River. Combined with enthusiastic crowds lining both sides, this creates a lively and impressive scene, giving a sense of a city becoming increasingly dynamic.
Naturally, the event also plays a key role in promoting the image of Hue as a beautiful, green, clean, bright and safe city, one of the core goals the city is pursuing. The race routes, passing through the Imperial Citadel, along the Huong River and across Truong Tien Bridge, showcase the city’s charm. Images and videos shared by runners on social media effectively turn them into “tourism ambassadors,” spreading Hue’s image quickly, widely and naturally.
In recent years, Hue has begun shaping sports tourism as a new development direction. Alongside the VnExpress Marathon, activities such as Hue Sports Festival and Hue Jogging, etc., have been organized more regularly. These events are gradually becoming part of urban life, helping the city wake up earlier, move more and connect more closely.
Through each stride and every community sporting activity, Hue is increasingly seen as a city where its identity as a heritage destination and its image as a dynamic centrally governed city coexist and develop in harmony.