The library
Racing in Vietnam 101
The things that apply to every race here, written once and kept up to date: heat, transport, insurance, payments, arriving and kit pickup.
Library status
Updated 24 Oct 2026. New articles are added here as they are published. Every race guide links back to the article it relies on, so you only need to read each one once.
Race guides tell you what is specific to one race. This library covers what is the same for all of them, so you can prepare for Vietnam once and reuse it for every start line.
In the library
Before you travel
Travel insurance that actually covers a marathon
Most race regulations here make medical costs the runner’s responsibility. What to check in a policy before you buy. Coming soon.
Arriving for race week: e-visa, airport to hotel
Applying for an e-visa, what to expect at the airport and how to get to your hotel. Coming soon.
Staying connected and paying: eSIM, cash or card
Getting data from the moment you land, and when you will still need cash. Coming soon.
Race week
Race kit pickup in Vietnam
QR codes, photo ID, collecting for someone else, and why there is almost never a pickup on race morning. Coming soon.
Race-morning transport: Grab, Xanh SM, road closures
Booking a car at 3am, where drivers can and cannot drop you, and when walking is faster. Coming soon.
Race day
Racing in Vietnam’s heat
Humidity at dawn, why start times are so early, pacing, drinking and when to give up on a PB. Coming soon.
Seasons and holidays
Racing in the cold: Da Lat and the northern mountains
Trail season kit for highland nights that drop close to freezing. Coming soon.
Tết and racing
What closes over the Lunar New Year, how transport fills up, and when to travel. Coming soon.
Keep reading
- Vietnam race calendar, Oct 2026 – Jun 2027
- Race guides
- Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon 2026 guide
Got a question this library does not answer?
Ask in the Facebook group. The questions that come up most become the next 101 article.
Vietnam Sports Events is an independent guide for international runners. We are not the organiser of any race listed here. Details change; each race website is always the authority. Read our disclosure.