The VnExpress Vung Tau International Half Marathon Herbalife Cup 2026 marks the 18th marathon where global nutrition brand Herbalife has partnered with VnExpress in Vietnam. Nguyen Thanh Dat, Senior Communications Director for Herbalife Vietnam, stated that achieving long-term health goals requires daily commitment to both exercise and nutrition.
Nutrition and health professionals consistently recommend dedicating at least 30 minutes to physical activity each day. Among various sports, marathon running is an accessible option. Whether a professional athlete or a sports enthusiast, participants only need appropriate weather-resistant attire, comfortable shoes, and a ready mindset and energy to join the race. This accessibility is why Herbalife prioritizes partnering with marathons.
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Nguyen Thanh Dat, representing the organizing committee, presents awards to the top 5 male athletes in the 21km distance. Photo: VM |
Nguyen Thanh Dat, representing the organizing committee, presents awards to the top 5 male athletes in the 21km distance. Photo: VM
Organized for the first time in Vung Tau, the VnExpress Marathon featured three distances: 5km, 10km, and 21km. The routes spanned Vung Tau's coastal roads, including Tran Phu, Quang Trung, Ha Long, and Thuy Van. The 21km distance included one section that diverged from the coastline.
As a partner, Herbalife established an expo area at Thuy Van Square, opposite Tam Thang Tower on Le Hong Phong road. This location, where bibs were distributed on 28 and 29/8, hosted a series of booths that enhanced the event's vibrant atmosphere and boosted athletes' morale before the competition.
Throughout the expo, Herbalife's booths attracted thousands of athletes who checked in and took photos with the stage, mascot, and green signage prominently featuring the brand's identity. All athletes at the booths were offered mineral and herbal drinks, two products favored by many for long-term health maintenance.
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Athletes check in at Herbalife's booth. Photo: VM |
Athletes check in at Herbalife's booth. Photo: VM
To equip runners with health knowledge for optimal physical condition in daily life and peak performance on the race course, Herbalife's booth hosted minigames during peak times. These games featured questions about nutrition and exercise, with winners receiving gifts from the brand, adding to the enjoyment of the event.
Additionally, the brand invited Taekwondo athlete Chau Tuyet Van to the event. She performed martial arts, interacted with the audience, and guided them through exercises directly at the Herbalife booth. As a Herbalife Vietnam Brand Ambassador, the martial arts star continued to support athletes on the 10km race course on the morning of 30/8, inspiring an active, healthy lifestyle.
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Athlete Chau Tuyet Van and Nguyen Thanh Dat display their finisher medals. Photo: VM |
Athlete Chau Tuyet Van and Nguyen Thanh Dat display their finisher medals. Photo: VM
With Herbalife's support, the VnExpress Marathon Vung Tau also featured a Gamezone at the expo. The Gamezone is a new addition to this year's VnExpress Marathon series, previously implemented in Da Nang and Nha Trang. Offering four physical activities—"Golden Ball Sifting", "Pickleball Challenge", "Dexterity", and "Quick Hands, Quick Eyes"—the Gamezone was designed as a stop-off point for runners and their families to relax and socialize before race day.
On the race day, 30/8, Herbalife's presence remained prominent through the green scarves and shirts worn by over 2,000 independent members. Dat expressed the company's pride in the participation figure, recognizing these members as ambassadors for an active and healthy lifestyle.
Herbalife members frequently register for races in groups, with some teams comprising hundreds of individuals, such as the group led by Nguyen Thien Tin from TP HCM. Nguyen Van Nhan from An Giang, participating in a marathon for the first time, confidently registered for the 21km distance, citing his consistent health training and daily nutrition preparation, driven by his appreciation for both VnExpress and Herbalife.
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A group of runners, who are independent Herbalife members, show off their finisher medals. Photo: VM |
A group of runners, who are independent Herbalife members, show off their finisher medals. Photo: VM
Nguyen Thanh Dat, who completed the 5km race, noted the strong participation and enthusiastic support from runners, despite it being the first time the event was held in Vung Tau. "Everyone was excited and had a great experience, which aligns with Herbalife's objective to help communities become healthier through balanced nutrition combined with an active, healthy lifestyle," he said.
Hoang Anh
