Race guide for 20–21 March 2027, Bac Ninh
Tien Phong Marathon 2027
An independent guide for international runners: race week, kit pickup, the start, the course, the finish and where to stay.
Registration not open
Updated 29 Oct 2026. The 68th national championship is confirmed for 20–21 March 2027 in Bac Ninh, with main race day on Sunday 21 March. Registration had not opened; we will update this guide when the regulations are published.
- Main race day
- Sun 21 Mar 2027
- Distances
- 42 kmplus 21, 10 and 5 km
- Expected field
- 12,000–15,000
- Race base
- 3/2 Square, Bac Giang ward
Tien Phong Marathon is Vietnam’s national marathon and long-distance championship, first held in 1958, which makes it the country’s oldest race. Recreational runners race on the same course as the national team. In 2027 it comes to Bac Ninh for the first time, themed “Back to the heritage land”. The thing to plan around: the race is in the Bac Giang part of the merged province, not in Bac Ninh city.
On this page
Race week at a glance
A two-day event; most runners race on Sunday.
Sat 20 Mar
To be announced
Race kit pickup and event activities (expected)
Bac Giang ward, Bac Ninh province
Sun 21 Mar
Early morning
Main race day: 42K, 21K, 10K and 5K
3/2 Square, Bac Giang ward
Some race calendars list 28 March. Tien Phong newspaper and Bac Ninh provincial media confirm 20–21 March.
Distances, start times and cut-offs
Distances as announced. Start times and cut-offs come with the regulations.
| Race | Start | Cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon 42 km | To be announced | To be announced |
| Half marathon 21 km | To be announced | To be announced |
| 10K | To be announced | To be announced |
| 5K | To be announced | To be announced |
National championship
Elite athletes race for national titles alongside recreational runners.
Since 1958
The 2027 race is the 68th edition of the Tien Phong championship.
Registration not open yet
Watch the organiser’s announcements; big editions can fill quickly.
Collect your race kit
Kit pickup details will be published with the regulations. Expect pickup on Saturday 20 March.
Bring two things:
Your passport
For ID at the counter.
Your confirmation email
With your QR code from the ticket partner.
Getting there
The Bac Giang area is about 50–60 km north-east of Hanoi.
From Hanoi
About 1–1.5 hours by car or coach on the expressway.
From Noi Bai Airport
About 1 hour by road.
Not Bac Ninh city
3/2 Square is in Bac Giang ward, the former Bac Giang city. Give your driver the full address.
Stay the night before
With an early start and 15,000 runners, staying locally is easier than driving from Hanoi.
The course
To be published.
The course has not yet been published. Recent Tien Phong editions have used flat, closed city roads suitable for national-championship racing.
Weather
~18–24 °Ctypical March range in northern Vietnam
March in the north is often grey and humid, with light drizzle and mild temperatures. It is usually good running weather, but humidity can make it feel warmer than it is.
Where to stay
Bac Giang ward.
Hotels in central Bac Giang ward are closest to 3/2 Square. Bac Ninh city and Hanoi are options if local hotels fill up, but add a drive on race morning.
Same Sunday. The Danang International Marathon and the Dalat Ultra Trail weekend are also on 21 March 2027. See our guides.
Rules worth knowing before you travel
Rules will be published with the regulations.
Registration has not opened
Only register through the organiser’s official channels.
Elite and mass races share the course
Follow marshals’ instructions on start pens.
Only you can run on your BIB
Transfers follow the organiser’s rules.
Check the date
Race day is 21 March, not 28 March as some listings show.
Still to confirm
Show the four open questions
These details matter to a visiting runner and had not been published in a form we could quote. The organiser’s regulations will be the authority.
| Open question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Registration opening date and prices | Decides when you enter |
| Start time and cut-off for each distance | Decides your race plan |
| Course map | Decides where you stay |
| Kit pickup dates and place | Decides your arrival day |
Sources
Show sources
Race facts come from the organiser, Tien Phong newspaper, and Bac Ninh provincial media. Travel, weather and planning notes are our own.
- Tien Phong newspaper — Bac Ninh as 2027 host and expected field
- Bac Ninh Newspaper and Television — hosting arrangements
- The Gioi Chay Bo and Linh Academy race calendars — dates, venue, distances and theme
Keep reading
- Vietnam race calendar, Oct 2026 – Jun 2027
- Danang International Marathon 2027 guide
- Bac Ninh Legacy Marathon 2027 guide
- Racing in Vietnam 101: heat, transport and travel insurance
- All race guides
Racing in Vietnam? Ask the community
Our Facebook group is where international runners swap race-week tips, find people to travel with and share their finish photos. English only, no BIB trading.
Vietnam Sports Events is an independent guide for international runners. This page is not produced or endorsed by the organiser or the title sponsor. Details change; the race website is always the authority. Read our disclosure.