This event aims to celebrate the 5,000 athletes participating in the race and commemorate the 51st anniversary of national reunification. The coastal area at Vinhomes Green Paradise is expected to be the venue for the music night and fireworks display.
The festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. with performances by DJs and a live band. Runners can enjoy music, ranging from mellow to vibrant, against the backdrop of a seaside sunset. The music night will conclude at 9:00 p.m., followed immediately by an artistic fireworks show.
Alongside the music night, the area is also planned to feature various food stalls, photo zones, and interactive experiences. The space is designed to evoke a street festival atmosphere.
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A view of Can Gio from above. Photo: Quynh Tran |
A view of Can Gio from above. Photo: Quynh Tran
According to the organizers, the program aims to create a festive atmosphere, offering runners and visitors an enhanced experience before the competition. "We want to provide a space for interaction, where runners can relax and connect before race day, while also immersing themselves in the holiday spirit," a representative of the organizing committee stated.
The event area is located within the Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio urban area, which also serves as the starting and finishing point for the race. Centralizing these activities in one location offers athletes convenience for travel, race kit collection, and participation in side events.
In recent years, many marathons worldwide have incorporated ancillary activities such as concerts, light festivals, or art performances to enrich the athlete experience. This approach helps the event attract not only runners but also their families and accompanying visitors.
In Can Gio, organizing the program on the evening of 30/4 also coincides with a major holiday, a time when tourist numbers in the area typically surge. The organizers anticipate that combining sports with entertainment will further enhance the destination's appeal.
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Athletes participating in the VM Ho Chi Minh City Midnight 2026 race. Photo: VnExpress Marathon |
Athletes participating in the VM Ho Chi Minh City Midnight 2026 race. Photo: VnExpress Marathon
The VnExpress Marathon Green Paradise Can Gio will take place on 1/5, featuring four distances: 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km. This marks the first time the race series has been held in Can Gio, an area characterized by its unique mangrove forest and coastal ecosystem in TP HCM. Registration opened in late March, with all slots filled within just 10 days.
A distinctive feature of the race is its course, designed to pass through many of the locality's iconic areas. The route combines coastal sections within the Vinhomes Green Paradise urban area, the Rung Sac road through the mangrove forests, and residential areas like Duyen Hai street.
The organizing committee considers this the race with the largest proportion of green space in the series, with most of the course traversing areas with trees or open landscapes. The continuous change in scenery throughout the journey is expected to help runners maintain their motivation and reduce monotony during longer distances. Additionally, the high green coverage contributes to a pleasant atmosphere and lower temperatures, creating optimal conditions for runners aiming for personal records (PRs).
Hoai Phuong
