In July, Da Nang will become a "sports capital" as it hosts two major events: the VnExpress Da Nang International Marathon Herbalife Cup 2026 on 19/7 and Hoiana Aquaman 2026 on 26/7. Occurring just one week apart, these two events offer a unique opportunity to combine competition, relaxation, and exploration of central Vietnam's famous destinations.

The VnExpress Da Nang International Marathon Herbalife Cup 2026 is expanding its scale, aiming to elevate its status to an international running event. This marks the third season the race has been held in the coastal city.

Thousands of athletes participate in the VnExpress Marathon Da Nang. *VnExpress Marathon*

Da Nang has long been recognized for having one of Vietnam's most scenic running routes. The city boasts a wide, flat road network that stretches along the coastline and features iconic bridges crossing the Han River. For many runners, experiencing the sunrise over My Khe beach or conquering these bridges is a unique allure of the event.

Beyond being a competitive race, the event also offers athletes an opportunity to explore the city differently. Before and after the competition, visitors can experience familiar destinations such as Son Tra peninsula, My Khe beach, Dragon Bridge, or enjoy local cuisine.

One week later, on 26/7, the focus shifts to the Hoi An area for Hoiana Aquaman 2026. This marks the first time VnExpress Marathon has brought its multisport event to Hoi An, a destination renowned for its ancient beauty, slow pace of life, and unique culture.

The event takes place at Hoiana Resort & Golf, a coastal resort located south of the city. The event venue offers distinct experiences. Just about 20 minutes from Hoi An ancient town, athletes and their families can combine heritage visits, explore traditional craft villages, enjoy local cuisine, or relax at the beaches south of Da Nang.

Hoiana Resort & Golf - the venue for the multisport event. *Hoiana*

The consecutive staging of two major events creates a rare series for sports enthusiasts. Runners can participate in the marathon in the city center and then continue to experience the swim-run challenge in the southern coastal area. For international visitors, this is also an opportunity to discover two distinct facets of Da Nang.

The trend of combining sports with tourism is rapidly growing worldwide. Many renowned cities like Tokyo, Berlin, and Sydney utilize running events to attract tourists. This activity helps extend visitor stays and increase local spending.

Da Nang has consistently promoted and organized international events in tourism, culture, and sports.

In 2025, the locality welcomed approximately 17,3 million visitors, including over 7,6 million international guests, marking its highest figures to date. The city's tourism sector aims for continued growth in 2026.

Da Nang's advantage lies in its ability to connect diverse experiences within a short radius. From the city center, visitors can reach beaches, mountains, resorts, golf courses, or Hoi An ancient town within about one hour. Expanding aviation infrastructure, with increasing flight volumes, further positions the city as a tourism gateway to central Vietnam.

Hoai Phuong