Tens of thousands of runners participating in the VnExpress Marathon Hue 2026 on 19/4 are not only eager to achieve personal bests but also to experience the city's renowned cuisine. However, Hue's traditional dishes can pose problems for runners with sensitive digestive systems. A smart strategy to adjust dishes to suit their palate and ensure digestive safety will help runners have a complete and fulfilling trip, much like their race strategy.

Bun bo Hue, a must-try dish in Hue, is an excellent source of carbohydrates and protein for energy accumulation. However, its traditional broth often has a strong fermented shrimp paste aroma and is covered with a layer of chili oil fat. To make bun bo a safe dish before race day, runners should proactively ask the chef to omit chili oil, skip extra pepper, and skim off the layer of fat from the surface. A bowl of bun bo with clear, light broth still retains the distinctive flavor of brisket and crab cakes without irritating the stomach lining before the race.

Bun bo Hue with its original flavor might cause digestive side effects for runners. Photo: Ho Ngoc Doan Khuong

Hue is known as a paradise for cakes and dumplings made from rice flour and tapioca flour, such as banh beo and banh nam. These are an excellent and easily digestible source of carbohydrates for athletes. However, the risk of stomach upset might come from the accompanying dipping sauce. Runners can eat these dishes as an afternoon snack before race day, but they should moderate dipping in undiluted fish sauce. Instead, opt for diluted sweet fish sauce, drizzling a sufficient amount for flavor, and avoid biting into fresh chili or raw garlic.

Hue's imperial cuisine also offers dozens of diverse sweet soups (che). Varieties like mung bean, red bean, and lotus seed sweet soups provide natural sugars and abundant carbohydrates, ideal for energy replenishment. However, runners should be aware that the accompanying coconut milk often contains high saturated fat content, which slows down digestion and can cause bloating. The safest approach is to order a sweet soup with only beans or seeds, requesting less sugar and no added coconut milk if it's close to race day.

Vegetarian dishes made from tofu, mushrooms, vegetables, and rice can lighten the load on the digestive system before high-intensity activity. Runners can choose vegetarian rice or vegetarian vermicelli for lunch before race day to ensure safety. Nevertheless, athletes still need to ask vendors to limit oil and avoid fried foods to maximize the nutritional benefits of these vegetarian options.

Runners can try banh beo before the race, but should avoid overly salty or spicy dipping sauce. Photo: Nguyen Phong

The optimal strategy for a complete Hue culinary experience involves managing eating times. Within 24 hours before the start, runners should prioritize light, low-fat dishes that are familiar to their digestive system. Fried dishes like banh khoai, spicy options like com hen and bun hen, or dishes high in fat should be removed from the menu before the event.

After crossing the finish line and completing stretching, athletes' stomachs are in a safe state to consume new foods. At this point, the most flavorful, spicy, and protein-rich dishes of Hue will become a wonderful reward, helping to recover physical strength and conclude the race journey.

Thorough nutritional preparation will be a perfect stepping stone for runners to fully enjoy the VnExpress Marathon Hue 2026. Returning to the imperial city on 19/4, the race offers the "striding into the imperial city" experience, taking athletes through time-worn gates, past the tranquil moat around the Imperial Citadel (Dai Noi), and allowing them to witness a glorious sunrise over the Perfume River. More than just a sporting challenge, the journey along heritage sites combined with royal-themed commemorative items will create an unforgettable cultural tourism experience for the running community.

Thy An

The race is currently selling tickets for its Regular phase at a fee of 640,000 VND for 5km, 800,000 VND for 10km, and 990,000 VND for 21km. Runners registering in groups will receive additional discounts from 5% to 25% depending on group size. Interested runners can register here.