HDBank Green Marathon 2026 returns to Can Gio with four distances and an AIMS-certified route

The HDBank Green Marathon 2026 will take place in the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve, Ho Chi Minh City, in September 2026, marking the fifth season of the road running event organised by HDBank together with Unique Company and the Ho Chi Minh City Athletics Federation, under the professional guidance of the city's Department of Culture and Sports. The race programme includes four distances: 5 km, 10 km, a 21 km half marathon and a 42 km marathon, alongside children's and team categories. That structure positions the event as an inclusive community race, with the 42 km marathon serving as the flagship distance for recreational and semi-competitive runners rather than an elite competition. A key technical point is that the course has been certified for distance by AIMS, the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. AIMS certification helps the event comply with international measurement and safety requirements and reduces technical risk for participants. The route passes through Can Gio's mangrove ecosystem, a UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve, running alongside forest, rivers and coastline. The scenery creates a distinctive experience but also brings terrain challenges: sand, tree roots and high humidity can affect consistent pacing. Organisers have not yet published quantitative data on how the terrain affects safety or performance. On participation, the event expects thousands of runners, including recreational athletes, families and local clubs. No elite athlete field has been announced, which limits its top-level competitive value. Beyond race day, the event includes a digital component called Green Marathon online, tied to HDBank's banking app ecosystem and eKYC electronic identification. This component extends engagement beyond the race itself and encourages year-round training. On environmental commitments, previous editions planted more than 2,000 trees and organised beach clean-ups. HDBank has more than 36 years of involvement in sport, including football and running, providing a foundation for this community activity. From an industry perspective, the race contributes to Vietnam's domestic marathon economy through the Can Gio venue and tourism potential, and serves as an example of digital banking linked to sport. Overall risk is rated low because of the community nature of the event, but monitoring registration data, digital engagement and post-race environmental reports remains necessary to assess real impact.