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Promoting Binh Dinh tourism through running races: New and attractive

Going beyond the framework of a simple tournament, the running races held in Binh Dinh province in recent years have become a channel linking sports with economic, cultural, and tourism activities, creating a lever that gradually builds a local brand identity.

Create Something New

Through five editions, the VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon has established a “brand” in organization, contributing to promoting tourism to a wide audience both through direct participation and media exposure. The organizing committee continuously surveys and designs new running routes suitable for different types of athletes, offering fresh experiences while showcasing the province’s scenic landscapes. The development of Binh Dinh tourism in recent years has been significantly supported by the thousands of runners participating in these events.

With the goal of promoting Tuy Phuoc tourism, in early 2024, the Tuy Phuoc District People's Committee organized the first Banh It Tower Cross-Country Race. The tournament attracted 169 athletes from 29 units, including communes, towns, secondary schools, businesses, and clubs in the district.

According to Mr. Huynh Thanh Trang, Head of the Department of Culture and Sports of Tuy Phuoc District, the race was designed to create new challenges for athletes while promoting local tourism. The event also emphasized the protection of historical and cultural values, encouraging the community to act as tourism ambassadors. Following its successful debut, the race will continue annually, with plans to expand the distance in the following year to attract more participants.

In 2025, Tuy Phuoc District People's Committee will organize the Con Chim Half Marathon with the participation of 1,500 athletes, featuring 3 main distances of 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km, alongside 2 youth distances of 600 m and 1.2 km. The event aims to highlight the district’s natural beauty and promote destinations with picturesque countryside scenery to domestic and international visitors. Organizers prioritize security, order, hygiene, and athlete safety to attract both local and foreign runners, contributing to the development of sports tourism in the area.

Focus on Organisation

In early September, more than 1,000 domestic and international athletes gathered in La Vuong (Hoai Son commune, Hoai Nhon town) for the first La Vuong Discovery Run – Fleur De Lys La Vuong Trail. This event was part of the Hoai Nhon Town Tourism Festival “La Vuong – the Green Plateau Beckons,” aimed at promoting the natural beauty of La Vuong plateau, attracting investment, developing tourism, and expanding opportunities for cultural and socio-economic exchange within and beyond the town.

Destinations such as Truong Luy, Hoa Binh intersection, Bay Thuan farm, Doi Thong airport area, Tra Giang beach, Cau Lay valley, Nui Chua, 3-storey waterfall, 5-storey waterfall, Cau Lay lake, Dong Vuong, and Dong Vuong 2 sun milestone impressed both athletes and tourists.

Mr. Pham Dinh Tung from Ho Chi Minh City, a participant, shared: “This is my first race in Binh Dinh, and I am impressed by the natural scenery and the route. Unlike a traditional marathon, this course demands significant physical strength and willpower due to its diverse terrain.”

However, the 2024 Hoai Nhon Town Tourism Festival saw four times the expected number of participants, creating challenges in food service, sanitation, and traffic management. The first La Vuong Discovery Run also received feedback from athletes regarding limited dedicated lanes, insufficient volunteer information, and inadequate infrastructure to meet participants’ needs.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Head of the Department of Culture and Sports and Director of the Center for Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hoai Nhon Town, stated that after the festival, the People’s Committee reviewed the event and drew lessons for future improvements. Planning and coordination for subsequent races will be more proactive and effective.

Assessing the effectiveness of running races in the province, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Chung, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, shared: “Many large-scale sports activities, including running races, have attracted numerous athletes. These events offer opportunities to explore Binh Dinh’s culture, history, and landscapes, while promoting its tourism potential to domestic and international visitors. Sports events help form sports tourism products. However, to achieve desired results, preparation must be strict, thoughtful, and professional. In the future, we hope running races will be further promoted to attract more international participants.”