Mai Ba Hung, a member of the Vietnam Olympic Committee and former Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, made this assessment during a press conference announcing the VnExpress Marathon Green Paradise Can Gio on the afternoon of 27/3. Hung has dedicated 40 years to the city's sports, witnessing its evolution through various stages.

"I hope that in the near future, Can Gio will become an international-class marathon destination, welcoming tens of thousands of people from both within Vietnam and abroad, rivaling Singapore or other leading regional races," Hung stated, expressing his aspirations for the future.

Mai Ba Hung speaking at the event. Photo: Quynh Tran

Ho Chi Minh City is a national leader in the running movement, boasting many active running clubs. The city has hosted large-scale races with tens of thousands of participants. However, compared to other regional cities like Singapore or Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City's marathons have not yet matched their scale.

Last November, the Bangkok Marathon attracted 48,000 runners, while the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon in December welcomed 55,000 participants.

To elevate the scale of a running event, a city must meet standards for traffic management and organizational capacity. According to Hung, Can Gio is like a "gem" being polished, awaiting its moment to shine on the sports map. He believes this area possesses many factors to become a top marathon destination in the region.

The locality features low traffic density. Its roads are consistently upgraded, flat, and wide. Notably, Can Gio can implement a 100% road closure with minimal traffic disruption.

Currently, the Ben Thanh - Can Gio high-speed railway, the Can Gio - Vung Tau sea-crossing road, Can Gio Bridge, Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway, and Long Thanh Airport are under investment and will soon be operational. This infrastructure will enhance travel convenience. Additionally, the emergence of the Vinhomes Green Paradise mega-city offers accommodation options like a 7,000-room hotel complex, a theater, and a golf course. These facilities will meet the lodging and experience needs of international runners visiting the area.

The collaboration of leading organizers will also be a catalyst for Can Gio's ascent. Hung highlighted the involvement of VnExpress Marathon, Vietnam's largest running series, along with Vinhomes Green Paradise. The organizational capacity of VnExpress Marathon, combined with the international-standard infrastructure of the 2,870-hectare mega-city project, can accommodate 20,000, or even 50,000 runners.

VnExpress Marathon Green Paradise Can Gio announces information about medals, bib pickup times, and race times at the press conference. Photo: Quynh Tran

For the inaugural VnExpress Marathon Green Paradise Can Gio, the former leader of Ho Chi Minh City's sports sector assessed that the proposed scale of 5,000 athletes is appropriate for current conditions. He believes the race on 1/5 will offer unique experiences, allowing athletes to enjoy a mangrove forest and ocean ecosystem unparalleled in any other part of Ho Chi Minh City.

Sharing a similar perspective with the former Ho Chi Minh City sports leader, Ngo Manh Cuong, General Director of FPT Online, a co-organizer, stated that Can Gio is being positioned as an urban-tourism development hub. Significant capital is flowing into the area, opening up considerable future potential.

Cuong hopes the upcoming race will serve as a lever for sports tourism in Can Gio and the surrounding region. To achieve this, the organizing committee has focused on designing a course that fully exploits the area's natural advantages. Most of the race will traverse Rung Sac road, Can Gio's main artery. Furthermore, a unique aspect of the race is the course within the Vinhomes Green Paradise urban area, providing an exhilarating feeling as runners approach the sea.

Cuong also expressed his hope that the 5,000 runners will experience the green, clean, and friendly aspects of the destination. In the future, the race will also aim for international standards while retaining its Vietnamese identity. "We truly hope that in the future, VnExpress Marathon Green Paradise Can Gio will become a signature event for Ho Chi Minh City, a place runners will want to return to repeatedly," Cuong affirmed.

Hoang Hoa Anh Duc, Community Development Director of Vinhomes Joint Stock Company, responsible for the Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio project, speaking at the event. Photo: Quynh Tran

As a co-organizer, Hoang Hoa Anh Duc, Community Development Director of Vinhomes Joint Stock Company, overseeing the Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio project, is confident that the upcoming race will provide a special, unprecedented experience for 5,000 athletes. She emphasized that running on a course that simultaneously features both a mangrove ecosystem and the sea is rare globally. Every step at the VnExpress Marathon Green Paradise Can Gio is not merely a sports activity, but also a journey to connect with nature, rejuvenate, and improve health—aligning with the global "wellness marathon" trend.

Regarding co-organizing efforts, Duc stated that Vinhomes will collaborate to create innovative activities. These are expected to include a music night and a fireworks festival on 30/4, the day before the race. Runners will also have access to green transportation options and a family-friendly game area.

At the event, the organizing committee also announced important information about the race course, race shirts, and accommodation options. This included opening free accommodation registration specifically for 42km athletes. Additionally, the race will arrange a campsite next to a pine forest and offer special deals for transportation with Xanh SM for runners.

Registration for the Super Early Bird phase is open until 31/3. Ticket prices are: 330,000 VND for the 5km distance, 450,000 VND for 10km, 600,000 VND for 21km, and 790,000 VND for the 42km distance. After this phase, bib prices will gradually increase.

Interested runners can register here.

Hoai Phuong