Vietnam’s tourism industry is gaining momentum. In the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index, the country climbed seven places to rank 52nd among 110 economies, reflecting improvements in the conditions supporting long-term tourism development.
A New Wave Of Sports Tourism
According to the WEF’s Sports for People and Planet report, sports tourism accounted for approximately 10% of global travel expenditure in 2025. The segment is projected to grow by 17.5% annually through 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing areas of the tourism industry.
In Vietnam, this momentum is increasingly visible through running events, particularly trail running. Unlike road marathons held on urban streets, trail races take participants through mountains, forests, valleys, and rural communities, which are already a built-in strength of Vietnam. The experience then combines physical endurance with opportunities to explore landscapes and local cultures.
For destinations with diverse natural terrain, trail running offers a way to turn geographical advantages into distinctive tourism products.
Turning Marathon Trails Into Tourism Destinations
Vietnam’s geographical diversity provides a strong foundation for developing trail tourism. Spanning a dramatic range of geological and natural wonders, stretching from North to South, the country offers varied terrain for different levels of outdoor adventure.
Rather than experiencing a landscape from a sightseeing spot, runners travel through it on foot, crossing tea plantations, orchards, forests and remote villages. This turns natural landscapes into active tourism experiences, offering visitors a perfect reason to explore areas beyond world-famous check-in spots.
For example in Mộc Châu, the Vietnam Trail Marathon (VTM) builds its appeal around the region’s orchards, tea plantations and rural trails. Its routes take runners through landscapes and remote areas that are rarely visited by conventional tourists. The event attracted more than 4,000 runners from 43 countries for its 2026 edition, showing how a sporting event can bring an international audience to a destination better known for its agricultural landscapes and seasonal scenery. VTM uses the destination’s existing natural assets as the foundation of its tourism product.
A similar model can be seen in Sa Pa, where the Vietnam Mountain Marathon (VMM) has become an established event on the international trail-running calendar. First held in 2013 with around 200 runners, the race welcomed more than 5,300 participants from 54 countries and territories in 2026. The route requires runners passing through surrounding mountain areas and different ethnic villages. The event thus showcases a wider geographical area, as well as introducing runners to the landscapes and communities that shape the region’s identity.
Beyond The Finish Line, Trail Running Creates Opportunities For Local Communities
The arrival of these runners also creates demand beyond the race itself. Participants may need accommodation before and after the event, meals, transportation to race locations and other services during their stay.
Some may travel with friends or family to support them, who can spend additional time exploring the destination. This creates potential business for homestays, restaurants, transport providers, local guides and businesses selling regional specialities. The economic value of a trail-running event can extend beyond registration fees and the event organiser, connecting sports tourism with the wider local tourism economy.
One thing to consider, however, is that benefits might otherwise remain concentrated among event organisers or external service providers. The extent of the impact depends on whether local businesses are able to participate in the event’s supply chain or not. Communities need to be involved as service providers and beneficiaries. For example, accommodation, catering and transportation services should be provided by locally owned businesses, for a greater share of event-related spending stays within the destination.
From Sporting Events To Destination Branding
Vietnam’s growing calendar of international trail events suggests that the country is beginning to develop this potential. But putting Vietnam on the international adventure tourism map requires more than organizing bigger races or attracting more participants. It requires long-term investment in local capacity, responsible destination management, and environmental conservation.
By transforming the race journey itself into a more immersive travel experience, this approach demonstrates how trail running can go beyond sport to support the diversification of Vietnam’s adventure tourism offerings.
Featured Trail Routes In Vietnam For 2027
The Vietnam Highlands Trail 2027 by UTMB
- Location: Da Lat city of Lam Dong province
- Time: January 8-10, 2027
- For more details.
Vietnam Trail Marathon 2027 (9th edition)
- Location: Moc Chau
- Time: January 16, 2027
- For more details.
Ultra ASIA Race 2027 by Canal Aventure
- Location: Mai Chau
- Time: March 8-11, 2027
- For more details.