VTM returns on 31 January 2026: Registration open

A runners’ favourite in the early part of the year: the next Vietnam Trail Marathon in Moc Chau has been scheduled for the last weekend of January in 2026. As usual, the 70km race is a points race for the ATM Championship Ranking and Grandmaster Quest. Registrations are already open and go via Topas’ Vietnam Trail Series website, linked below.

VTM is definitely among the most scenic races on the calendar and offers a great mixture of runability and technicality. Weather plays a role on the eventual conditions of the trails, and one may remember the surprisingly chilly temperatures this year’s event took place in. It caught young athletes such as Godwin Mirar also by surprise, as the Filipino completely disintegrated in the last 15km - frozen - and saw his first ATM race victory slip away. It was Vietnam’s current leading male runner Nguyen Si Hieu who took top honours. The women’s race saw Hau Ha fan Giang Linh first across the finish line at the tea plantation near the tourist town of Moc Chau. The VTM course definitely also has bite with nearly 3000 metres of elevation gain to be conquered.

As usual, it is highly recommended to purchase one of VTS’s travel packages for the event to take all the hassle out of your trip to the event. That way you just go to Hanoi and then the traditional bus meeting point at the West Lake and you’re good to relax. The event busses are both punctual and comfortable.

Do not linger too long to sign up, as you are not the only one going there for the race on 31 January!