Run «Vietnam Airlines Run For Love 2026»

   An early-morning start on the pedestrian promenade along West Lake (Hồ Tây) in Hanoi draws more than recreational runners: blind athletes cover the same course, each of them paired with a volunteer guide runner and joined by a tether. Registration is already open, and you can pick anything from a demanding ten kilometres to a short children's race.

   The race is run by Vietnam Airlines and returns to Hanoi year after year. In 2024 more than 1,500 people took part, 282 of them visually impaired runners; for last year's edition the organisers announced around 300 such participants, and over 70% of them were coming back for another season. In previous years the race was prepared together with Vietnam & Friends (VAF), a Vietnamese non-profit working with people with disabilities, which brings the blind athletes and their guides to the course.

   The essentials
Distances this season — 10 km, 5 km and a 1.5 km children's race
The children's race is open to participants aged 4 to 12
You can sign up individually or as a team
The early bird rate runs until 19 September inclusive

   The line-up of distances is built so that a whole family can start together: 1.5 km for children, 5 km as an easy entry point if you run without training, 10 km if you want a time. If you live in Hanoi and have been eyeing city races, this is one of the gentler ways in — short courses and an early hour when the air over the water is still cool.

   The start and finish are hosted by Không gian Văn hóa Sáng tạo Tây Hồ, an open-air creative cultural space on the Trịnh Công Sơn pedestrian street right by the water. Last season all three distances began and ended here, with the course following the lake.

   Entry fees by registration wave
Until 19 September inclusive: 1.5 km — 229,000 ₫, 5 km — 329,000 ₫, 10 km — 429,000 ₫
From 20 September until registration closes on 11 October: 1.5 km — 329,000 ₫, 5 km — 429,000 ₫, 10 km — 529,000 ₫

   The organisers have not yet published the start time for each distance — the registration portal lists only the general morning start. For reference, last season the ten kilometres set off at 05:15, the five at 06:00 and the children's 1.5 km at 07:00, with the roads reopening at 07:30.

   Registration questions go to the organisers at [email protected].

   If you have been looking for a reason to bring back your morning runs, here are two at once: the distance is within reach for almost anyone, and next to you will be people for whom those same kilometres mean something entirely different.