Following the announcement to shift the event date from September to May, the VnExpress Marathon's only race in the Southwestern region has opened its Super Early Bird registration phase. This phase runs for over two weeks, from 19/3 to 7/4, with prices starting from 400,000 VND for the 5km distance and 840,000 VND for the 42km distance. After this period, ticket prices will increase incrementally through subsequent phases.
VnExpress Marathon Can Tho 2026 ticket prices. (Unit: VND)
| Distance | Super Early Bird (19/3 - 7/4) | Early Bird (8/4 - 14/4) | Regular (15/4 - 21/4) | Late (22/4 - 28/4) |
| 5km | 400.000 | 520.000 | 680.000 | 850.000 |
| 10km | 540.000 | 680.000 | 880.000 | 990.000 |
| 21km | 680.000 | 860.000 | 1.080.000 | 1.250.000 |
| 42km | 840.000 | 1.050.000 | 1.290.000 | 1.490.000 |
Groups of 20 or more registrants receive discounts ranging from 5% to a maximum of 25%. Specifically: groups of 20 to 50 people receive a 5% discount; 51 to 100 people receive 10%; 101 to 500 people receive 15%; 501 to 1,000 people receive 20%; and groups of 1,001 or more receive the highest discount of 25%.
Runners can find more information here.
Participants receive a race kit containing essential items for pre-race preparation, along with the official event shirt. All athletes who complete the race will receive a commemorative medal and free photos. Additionally, runners completing the 21km and 42km distances will also receive a finisher's shirt.
Last season, the race medal impressed participants with a design inspired by the 'dan kim' (Vietnamese lute), a symbol associated with the Southern Vietnamese folk art of Don ca tai tu. The design was highly praised by the running community for its creative concept.
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A group of runners check in with a 2-meter-tall 'dan kim' (Vietnamese lute) model at the VnExpress Marathon Can Tho 2025 Expo. *Photo: VnExpress Marathon* |
The VnExpress Marathon Can Tho course has also received positive reviews from top runners. The course is generally flat, despite crossing 14 bridges, with good road surfaces, allowing many athletes to achieve better-than-expected results. Runners traverse riverside streets and many familiar landmarks, including Song Hau Park, Ninh Kieu Wharf, and Cai Rang Floating Market.
Beyond the race, athletes can explore Can Tho through experiences rich in Mekong Delta culture. These include visiting floating markets early in the morning, taking boat trips on the river, exploring Binh Thuy Ancient House and Son Islet, and savoring local specialties like 'bun ca' (fish noodle soup), 'banh xeo' (savory Vietnamese pancake), and 'lau mam' (fermented fish hotpot). May also marks the beginning of the fruit season for many varieties, making it convenient for visitors to combine their trip with visits to rambutan, mangosteen, and durian orchards.
The event is expected to continue stimulating tourism and generating revenue for the local area. Can Tho City's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated it will collaborate with relevant units to ensure security and safety along the race course, thereby continuing to build Can Tho's image as a peaceful yet dynamic destination in the eyes of runners. Last year, VnExpress Marathon Can Tho attracted 9,000 runners, making it one of the largest sporting events in the Tay Do region.
Hai Long
