HDBank Green Marathon 2026: A Green and Digital Playground amid Can Gio Mangrove

The 5th season of HDBank Green Marathon – a race closely tied to the image of Can Gio mangrove forest – will officially start in September 2026. The information was announced by the organizing committee at a press conference, marking a continuous journey of this community running brand co-founded by HDBank. It is not a tournament aiming at professional records; the event, co-organized by HDBank, Unique Company, and the Ho Chi Minh City Athletics Federation, continues to promote a community sports message linked to environmental protection and digital transformation. Under the plan, thousands of participants will be able to choose from distances of 5km, 10km, half marathon (21.0975km) and full marathon (42.195km). In addition, the organizers have added running groups for children, families and team relays. Such diversity makes the race not merely a playground for high-performance athletes but also a health-focused community festival designed for all ages. This inclusive format has become a defining feature of HDBank Green Marathon over the years. The highlight of this year's race lies in a route certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) to international measurement standards. The route runs through the core area of Can Gio mangrove forest, a UNESCO-recognized world biosphere reserve, with stretches of sand dunes, saltwater creeks and lush green mangrove canopies. In terms of experience, the terrain offers outstanding natural beauty but also hides significant challenges. Thick sand makes every step more energy-consuming, while sections crossing tree roots require agility and caution. Thus, apart from endurance, runners need a sensible pace strategy to finish the marathon safely. A representative of the organizing committee said that in the previous four seasons, the program has planted more than 2,000 trees in the coastal areas of Can Gio and other salt-affected regions. This year, beach clean-up and new mangrove planting campaigns continue to be maintained, attracting not only athletes but also community volunteers. This shows that the race is not just an opportunity to improve health but also a chance for every individual to contribute to protecting the ecosystem. A remarkable new feature of HDBank Green Marathon 2026 is the deep integration of digital platforms. Participants can register and complete administrative procedures online via the HDBank mobile application, with identity verification powered by eKYC technology. Beyond registration, the app provides race maps, GPS tracking, online leaderboards and regular running challenges. Runners can thus stay engaged with the event well before race day and keep exercising after the event ends. Another new feature is the Green Marathon online, a virtual race format. With this virtual mode, runners do not have to be physically present in Can Gio on the official day. They can complete the distance anywhere within a specified time period and then sync their data to the platform to receive results. This approach maintains training motivation while expanding the race's reach to running enthusiasts nationwide, overcoming geographic barriers. From a professional perspective, having the AIMS-certified route allows recreational runners to use their results as official personal milestones. However, it is important to emphasize that this event lies outside the qualification systems for the Olympics, ASIAD or SEA Games. That accurately reflects the organizers' positioning: it is a community race, not a competition for international qualification. Still, according to sports management experts, such grassroots events play a fundamental role. Local running clubs, first-time marathoners and even young talents can all find a positive and sustainable training environment here. In a broader view, the persistent commitment of a commercial bank with 36 years of operation like HDBank to a green running event is a promising sign for Vietnamese sports. Instead of mere sponsorship, the bank has integrated digital products, from cashless payments to online account opening, creating a unique sports-banking ecosystem. This demonstrates how businesses can turn community responsibility into a long-term investment strategy. The growth of HDBank Green Marathon is part of a larger regional trend: road races are gradually shifting from a performance-focused model to an experience-and-sustainability-driven model. With its large biosphere reserve, Can Gio can truly become a prominent green marathon destination in the future. However, the organizing committee must carefully assess potential risks related to terrain, weather and capacity to provide the safest experience possible. Practice runs have been planned to help runners familiarize themselves with the course ahead of the official day. In its fifth season, no elite names have been announced, and the organizers have no intention of turning the race into a battle for slots in major competitions. Instead, this playground is an invitation for everyone who loves running to feel the rhythm of nature in every step. No fervent spectators, no breathtaking sprints, but the quietness of the mangrove forest mixed with the sound of waves will create memorable stories more lasting than any medal. For many, the question is no longer who crosses the finish line first, but who gets moved by the green heart of this event. HDBank Green Marathon 2026, therefore, is more than an event in the running calendar of Ho Chi Minh City residents. It is a typical model for a sustainable recreational sports ecosystem – where true value comes from the community acting together for the environment, technology and the joy of movement. In September, when thousands of feet start together in the sunrise at the edge of Can Gio forest, the race promises to write another beautiful page in Vietnam's running movement.