VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang attracted a record 13,000 athletes, the highest number in the VnExpress Marathon system. This year's race features several innovations in the course and organization. The event is also part of a series of key events celebrating Khanh Hoa province's National Day. A highlight is the participation of KDI Holdings, the investor of Libera Nha Trang.

Prior to the tournament, Nguyen Huong Hoai, Director of Marketing and Communications at KDI Holdings, shared with VnExpress about the vision, highlights, and expectations for the company's first time partnering with Vietnam's largest running series.

Runners check in at the expo at Libera Nha Trang, morning of 23/8. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Runners check in at the expo at Libera Nha Trang, morning of 23/8. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Why did KDI Holdings decide to partner with VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang 2025?

KDI Holdings has been operating in Nha Trang for many years. We want to bring good values to the community. With our love and commitment to Nha Trang, we want to accompany the locality in developing local culture, entertainment, arts, sports, and the economy. These activities create a unique attraction, making the bay shine on the domestic and international sports tourism map and becoming a top livable city in Vietnam.

This vision motivates us to partner with VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang 2025, the largest running event in Khanh Hoa province and a leading tournament nationwide. This year's season also witnessed a record of 13,000 runners, the most in the VnExpress Marathon system. This number demonstrates the attractiveness of the coastal city.

This year, the race welcomed 13,000 runners, a record. How does KDI Holdings assess the impact of the race?

VnExpress Marathon has been accompanying the running community since 2019 and has become the preferred choice of thousands of runners regardless of their location. In Nha Trang, the figure of 13,000 athletes shows the growth of the marathon community. We understand that over 4,000 runners come from Khanh Hoa province, triple the number of previous seasons. This number shows that the running movement in the locality is growing, with many people participating, forming a trend of physical exercise and improving the quality of life.

With 8,000 runners from outside the province, the number shows that Nha Trang continues to be an attractive choice for the running community nationwide. The event's appeal stems from the VnExpress Marathon brand, the majestic coastal routes, the beautiful natural scenery, and the unique coastal tourism experiences of one of Vietnam's most livable cities.

As a multi-industry corporation, with a key real estate project in Nha Trang, what is the common ground between KDI Holdings and VnExpress Marathon?

In Nha Trang, we are developing the Libera Nha Trang project, also known as the "City of Freedom". Here, every resident is allowed to "live freely according to what they want". Young people can freely express their personalities, the elderly can freely enjoy the rhythm of life, and successful people can freely enjoy the fruits of their labor. This spirit is further promoted in our newly launched La Tien Villa product with the message: "Lasting Memories - Lasting Freedom: Where lasting freedom is built on unforgettable memories."

Marathon is a sport full of freedom. Each runner is free to decide their goals, training route, and how to enjoy the race. The spirit of freedom is the common core element that motivated us to choose VnExpress Marathon as a touchpoint with the community. Above all, both share the same desire to create positive values, connecting people with sports, culture, and nature.

With the participation of KDI Holdings, how will runners experience the "freedom" spirit during the race days?

The VnExpress Marathon expo is located within the Libera Nha Trang complex. The 4,000 m2 expo will be a place where runners can freely experience check-in activities and minigames. The space is large enough to welcome 13,000 athletes.

Libera Nha Trang - the location of the race expo. Photo: KDI Holdings

Libera Nha Trang - the location of the race expo. Photo: KDI Holdings

When coming to the expo, runners can also freely experience the international facilities at Libera Nha Trang such as the Do Theatre and the "Dream Puppetry" show, the Avatar Marine Sports Center, and Van San Dao Park - the largest artificial coral reef conservation area in Vietnam. The urban area also offers a wide range of culinary experiences, from local flavors to 5-star international standards. With multiple touchpoints at Libera Nha Trang, the running community of all ages, needs, and preferences, along with their families, will be able to freely explore and experience.

The race course also passes by Libera Nha Trang. The urban area is located in a naturally blessed position in Nha Trang. In front is the clear blue Ngoc Bay, behind is the majestic Co Tien Mountain, embracing 2 km of coastline with three private beaches. This is an ideal space for athletes to enjoy every step of their run in the open air, tranquility, and connection with nature.

What does Libera Nha Trang expect after partnering with a race like VnExpress Marathon?

By partnering with VnExpress Marathon, we hope to bring a special experience to 13,000 athletes and tens of thousands of tourists, where sports, culture, and nature intersect. The 4,000 m2 expo area and a series of world-class facilities at Libera Nha Trang will be a platform for each athlete to discover a free city - where all needs from living, enjoying, working to exploring are met.

Further, we hope this event will help Libera Nha Trang become a new destination for the sports, tourism, and free-living community, contributing to enhancing Ngoc Bay, so that Nha Trang is not just a short-term resort destination but a place that inspires a balanced, sustainable, and experience-rich life.

Hoai Phuong