My Khe Beach is less than 20 minutes from the airport. The VnExpress Marathon race course is situated along this same coastal stretch, with numerous restaurants and attractions within a few kilometers. Few destinations in the system allow runners to complete their morning race, enjoy local specialties, and visit landmarks in the afternoon without needing private transport or complex planning.

Runners crossing Dragon Bridge at VnExpress Marathon Da Nang 2025. Photo: VnExpress Marathon.

Day one: collect race kit, explore the city

Upon arriving in Da Nang, runners can collect their bibs and race kits at the event's expo area before exploring the surroundings. Lunch is an ideal time to savor local specialties, such as mi Quang, banh trang cuon thit heo (rice paper rolls with pork), or bun mam nem (vermicelli with fermented fish sauce). The cost for a meal typically ranges from 40,000-80,000 VND per person.

In the afternoon, families can visit Han Market, about 3 km from My Khe Beach, to purchase local products or explore the city center. From there, it is only a short walk to Dragon Bridge and Love Lock Bridge. These two bridges also serve as inspiration for this year's race medal design.

If time permits, visitors should head to My Khe Beach to watch the sunset or relax before race day. In the evening, to avoid digestive issues, runners should have an early dinner with familiar dishes, limiting oily or unfamiliar seafood. Afterward, the entire family should get early rest to ensure optimal physical condition for the race.

Panoramic view of Son Tra Peninsula from above. Photo: Pham Phung - Huynh Phuong.

Day two: conquer the race course and enjoy local specialties

Early on 19/7, athletes will compete in the VnExpress Da Nang International Marathon Herbalife Cup 2026. This year's race features four distances: 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km. After completing the course, families can refuel with local dishes such as be thui Cau Mong (Cua Mong grilled veal), banh canh ruong (rice noodle soup), or fresh seafood. For those who prefer sweets, avocado ice cream and durian sweet soup are suitable refreshing choices.

In the afternoon, if time permits before their flight, families can choose one of several short excursions. The first suggested destination is Son Tra Peninsula, about 10 km from the city center. This area is home to Linh Ung Pagoda, a 67 m tall Guan Yin Buddha statue, and numerous viewpoints offering panoramic city vistas.

Visitors queuing to enjoy a Michelin Selected restaurant in Da Nang. Photo: Tuan Anh.

A second option is the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), located about 8 km from My Khe Beach. This complex features caves, ancient pagodas, and the Non Nuoc stone carving village, making it suitable for a two-hour visit.

For a more relaxed experience, athletes can opt for cafes along the beach or by the Han River. The My Khe area currently offers many coffee shops with sea views, where drink prices typically range from 40,000-80,000 VND per person.

Forty-eight hours are sufficient to complete a race, sample local specialties, and visit either the Marble Mountains or Son Tra Peninsula before heading to the airport. Few coastal cities in Vietnam allow runners to accomplish all three in a single trip.

Thy An

The VnExpress Da Nang International Marathon Herbalife Cup 2026, held on 19/7, is a large-scale international race within the VnExpress Marathon series. The course guides athletes across iconic bridges and along coastal roads embracing Da Nang Bay. Registration for the regular phase is currently open; interested runners can sign up here.