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VPBank Hanoi International Marathon 2026 Review: Hoan Kiem Lake to Walking Street

Set for 18 October 2026, starting at Hanoi's iconic Hoan Kiem Lake and finishing at Tran Nhan Tong walking street, this VPBank title-sponsored marathon offers four distances with early-bird registration from VND 599K. A bank-backed Vietnamese marathon with a world-class start line.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Last updated August 4, 2026

The bottom line

The VPBank Hanoi International Marathon has one of the best start lines in Vietnam: Hoan Kiem Lake, the spiritual heart of Hanoi, with the red Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple as your pre-dawn backdrop. Four distances (42K, 21K, 10K, 5K) with early-bird pricing from VND 599K (5K) to 999K (42K) — roughly USD 24-40 — making it one of the better-value bank-backed marathons in the region. VPBank's title sponsorship and the October date (Hanoi's cool, dry season onset) make this a strong pick in the Vietnamese calendar.

How runners rate it

78/ 100 overall
  • Start line (Hoan Kiem)92
  • Value (pricing)85
  • Sponsor (VPBank)80
  • Registration82

Scores summarise sentiment from the participant reviews cited below, not an official rating.

Hoan Kiem Lake: Hanoi's Spiritual Centre

Starting at Hoan Kiem Lake — the heart of Hanoi's old quarter, with the red Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple, and Turtle Tower — gives this race a start-line experience comparable to the Bangkok Marathon's Grand Palace start. [1] The point-to-point course finishes at Tran Nhan Tong walking street, threading through Hanoi's French Quarter and lakeside boulevards. October is the onset of Hanoi's cool, dry season.

Should You Run It?

A VPBank-backed Hanoi marathon with a Hoan Kiem Lake start and early-bird pricing. Registration open. 18 October 2026. [1]

References & sources

  1. 1. VPBank Hanoi International Marathon — official website — VPBank

Quotes are short excerpts reproduced under fair use and attributed to their original authors; follow the links above for the full context. This article is an independent summary and is not affiliated with the event.

Frequently asked questions

When is the VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2026?

18 October 2026 — starting at Hoan Kiem Lake, finishing at Tran Nhan Tong walking street, Hanoi. It offers 42.2K, 21.1K, 10K, and 5K. Registration is currently open. VPBank organises the event. It's held at Start Hoan Kiem Lake, finish Tran Nhan Tong walking street, Hanoi. [1]

What does it cost?

Early-bird: 5K VND 599K, 10K 699K, 21K 899K, 42K 999K (approx USD 24-40). Entry costs VND 42K 999,000 / 21K 899,000 / 10K 699,000 / 5K 599,000 (Early Bird). It offers 42.2K, 21.1K, 10K, and 5K. [1]

Planning to enter? See the full facts — dates, distances, pricing and registration — on the VPBank Hanoi International Marathon 2026 listing.

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