Named "Embracing Our Future", the run is part of 22 co-creation activities for a sustainable future, leading up to UEH's 50th anniversary. The university expects the run to be its most special community sports event this year.
Participants from UEH and the wider community will experience a course recreating nine stages of UEH's development. This journey spans from its founding in 1976, with the mission of "building the nation through knowledge", to its milestone as a top 15 leading university in Southeast Asia by 2026. The course also highlights eight core heritage values preserved and continued by generations of staff, lecturers, and students: unity, compassion, dedication, community, pioneering, innovation, sustainability, and internationalization.
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One of the routes at the UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 - Embracing Our Future. Photo: UEH
A university representative shared that the run provides a space for the first gathering of over 50 generations of learners, where stories are retold, memories awakened, and continuous journeys shared. It also serves as a connection point for the "Changemaker" community, encompassing lecturers, students, alumni, partners, businesses, and individuals who share a spirit of acting for sustainable values and collaborating to shape a common future.
The run will be held in Sala Urban Area, Ho Chi Minh City, on 6-7/6, featuring three distances: 5, 10, and 21 km. According to the organizers, each distance holds symbolic meaning for a specific stage of UEH's development. The 5 km distance represents knowledge heritage, symbolizing the mission of nation-building, depicted by an open book from the 1975-1976 period, when UEH undertook the role of training economic and management personnel to serve the country's reconstruction and development.
The 10 km distance signifies human heritage, embodying a human-centered philosophy. This aligns with development oriented towards societal needs and market trends, marking UEH's transformation into a multidisciplinary, sustainable university.
The 21 km distance represents future heritage, symbolizing a long-term development vision and a collective "One UEH" spirit. This is where university members, partners, and scholars, both domestic and international, converge to transform UEH into "a global university - acting locally" and "a university at the heart of the city," working together for a sustainable future.
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Learning about the UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 - Embracing Our Future. Photo: UEH
To encourage runners, the organizing committee has prepared numerous awards for both individuals and communities. The top three male and female finishers in each distance will receive prizes that increase with distance, with the top prize for the 21 km distance reaching 5 million dong.
Beyond competitive achievements, the run also honors connecting values and community spirit. This includes a "Heritage Spirit" award for clubs or teams under the UEH Youth Union - Student Association with the most participants. There is also a "UEH Heritage Cosplay" award for runners who present creative, unique images associated with UEH in their own style.
The university's Trade Union will also present a team award for units (or groups) that demonstrate outstanding teamwork, companionship, and unique character throughout the run. Additionally, there will be an "Inspiring Sports Official" award. Both awards will be voted on the university's fanpage.
High-achieving athletes will also receive additional gifts from sponsors as recognition for their efforts and journey to push their limits.
Diep Chi
Schedule for UEH Run Half Marathon - Embracing Our Future
6/6: 9h-18h: Race kit distribution for athletes; UEH 50th anniversary activities; sponsor booth activities
7/6
4h00: Assembly and warm-up
4h30: Start for 21 km distance
5h30: Start for 10 km distance
6h00: Start for 5 km distance
8h30: Awards ceremony and closing
Tickets for the run are available from 3/4 to 10/5, with a flash sale exclusively on 3-4/4 here.
Follow the UEH Half Marathon fanpage for the latest information on the run.
