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| A charming and widely shared moment along the route of VnExpress Marathon Hue 2025 |
Specifically, over 3 days, from April 17 to 19, runners participating in the VnExpress Marathon Hue 2026 will be granted free access to heritage site under the management of Hue Monuments Conservation Center, including: Hue Imperial Citadel, Royal Mausoleums (Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Gia Long, Khai Dinh, and Thieu Tri Mausoleums), An Dinh Palace, and Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities.
To access the preferential offer, runners are required to present their race bib together with a valid identification at the designated heritage sites. Each bib entitles the holder to one complimentary entry per site and is strictly non-transferable, with no accompanying individuals or unauthorized use. The policy is designed to protect the rights of registered runners while maintaining effective crowd management at heritage locations during peak periods.
According to Mr. Tran Huu Thuy Giang, Vice Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee: “The race is being held as Hue enters a new phase of tourism development, with a focus on closely integrating heritage, festivals, and large-scale sporting events. The decision to grant free access for runners not only enables them to gain deeper insights into the destination, but also promotes Hue’s image as a heritage city associated with sports tourism - an increasingly popular trend adopted by many destinations worldwide”.
VnExpress Marathon Hue 2026 will officially take place on April 19 with 3 distances, including 5km, 10km, and 21km. The marathon is expected to attract the participation of about 9,000 runners from both Vietnam and abroad. The race route will pass through many of the city’s iconic landmarks, including Truong Tien Bridge, the Huong River, and Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted… Notably, the running route will “embrace” the Imperial Citadel, offering participants a unique opportunity to fully experience the city’s rich heritage landscape.
As in previous editions, VnExpress Marathon Hue 2026 will also feature the Kun Marathon, a free race for children aged 6 to 10, expected to attract around 2,000 young runners. The event will take place ahead of the main race day, from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 18.
Last year, during the Week of VnExpress Marathon Hue 2025, Hue welcomed approximately 109,000 visitors, including around 12,000 runners along with their friends and families. Total tourism revenue was estimated at VND 221 billion, with hotel occupancy reaching 90%. The number of visitors to heritage sites also surged during the free admission period. Notably, the Imperial Citadel recorded over 20,000 tourist arrivals, while Tu Duc Mausoleum welcomed over 8,300 arrivals.