The Course: District 1 and the Heart of Saigon
The race starts and finishes at 30/4 Park on Le Duan Street, directly opposite the Reunification Palace in District 1 — as central a start line as Ho Chi Minh City can offer. [1] The course routes through the city's widest boulevards, past the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and along the Saigon River in the early kilometres before expanding into the outer districts for the full marathon distance. It's predominantly flat, as befits a Mekong Delta city, with bridge crossings over the canals providing the only meaningful elevation.
The Organiser: Pulse Active
Pulse Active is one of Vietnam's most established race organisers, with a portfolio that spans multiple distances and cities — including the VPBank Hanoi International Marathon and the HCMC Music Half Marathon. [1] That track record means runners can expect professional timing, well-stocked aid stations, and a race-day operation that's been refined across multiple editions. The January date is well-chosen: Ho Chi Minh City's dry season runs from December through April, and a mid-January morning offers temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s Celsius with manageable humidity.
Registration: Open Now
Registration is currently open via hcmcmarathon.com, with three distances available: full marathon (42.195km), half marathon (21.1km), and 10km. [1] The open registration window — for a race nearly a year out — is a strong signal that Pulse Active is running a well-oiled operation. Early-bird pricing is typically available for the first registration tranche.
Should You Run It?
If you want a big-city Vietnamese marathon with an established organiser, a central start line, and dry-season conditions, the HCMC Marathon is one of the strongest picks on the 2027 calendar. Registration is open now — book early for the best pricing. The 2027 edition is set for 17 January at 30/4 Park, Le Duan Street, Ho Chi Minh City. [1]