HDBank Green Marathon 2026: A community playground in the heart of Can Gio mangrove forest

In September, the coastal roads and mangrove forests of Can Gio will once again echo with footsteps as HDBank Green Marathon 2026 returns for its fifth edition. Organized by HDBank, Unique Company and the Ho Chi Minh City Athletics Federation, the race is not part of the national qualification system. Instead, it targets recreational runners and families. The event offers five main distances: 5km, 10km, half-marathon 21km, and marathon 42km, with additional children’s and team categories. This flexible structure helps newcomers run alongside experienced club athletes while building a sustainable local running culture. The Can Gio route is certified by AIMS, the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, ensuring international standards for course measurement and safety. One special feature is the environment. More than 2,000 trees have been planted over previous seasons. This year, HDBank continues its green message by connecting beach clean-ups and mangrove conservation with running. Another fresh point is digital integration. The Green Marathon Online platform allows participants to register through the banking app, verify their identity with eKYC, and track training kilometers. In this way, the event no longer ends at the finish line; it lives on in daily routines. From a financial perspective, HDBank has supported sports for over 36 years, including football and running events. By organizing an AIMS-certified marathon, it brings stable resources to Vietnam’s domestic running community. For many people, this race is more than a race. It is a place to test personal limits, connect with family, and discover potential young talents. A child who falls in love with trail running today may become a national runner tomorrow. For those hunting records, this event may seem unremarkable because no elite athletes have been announced. However, the real value lies in community participation. Digital elements remove geographical barriers. Those who cannot travel to Can Gio can still have their efforts recognized through the online platform. As the event grows, Can Gio could become a new sports tourism destination, attracting international runners interested in mangroves and biodiversity. Still, organizers need to manage weather risks and logistics carefully since September is the end of the rainy season in Ho Chi Minh City. There is a fine line between community racing and professional performance. HDBank Green Marathon uses that line to build a healthier society. The most beautiful moment is not when the winner crosses the line, but when a whole group of people realizes they have contributed to a greener planet. At 61, I have learned that sport never gets old; only our way of seeing it can become stale. HDBank Green Marathon 2026 offers a chance to reflect on why we run: for health, for connection, and for a better future.