Ha Long Bay Marathon 2025: Running the 10km With Karst Views & What to Expect
Most people come to Ha Long Bay for a cruise. We came to run.
After an overnight cruise through Lan Ha Bay and a night on Cat Ba Island, we hopped on a bus and made our way to Ha Long Bay — not for the boats this time, but for the Ha Long Bay Marathon 2025. We signed up for the 10km race, and it turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly memorable mornings of our entire Asia trip.
Here’s what the race was like, where we stayed, and why the post-race BBQ might have been the real highlight.
Getting from Cat Ba to Ha Long Bay
From Cat Ba Island, we took a direct bus to Ha Long Bay — a straightforward journey and the most convenient option if you’re already on the island. The ride is relatively short compared to the epic Sapa-to-Cat Ba haul, and the roads along this stretch of northern Vietnam are in good shape.
If you’re planning the same northern Vietnam loop — Sapa → Cat Ba → Ha Long Bay — this bus connection makes the routing easy without needing to backtrack through Hanoi.
Where We Stayed: Two Hotels, Two Experiences
Night 1: Almin Hotel
Our first night in Ha Long Bay was at the Almin Hotel. A comfortable base to arrive, decompress, and get our bearings in the city before race day. Ha Long city itself is more of a functional gateway than a destination — most of the action is on or near the waterfront — but having a solid, affordable hotel to land in after a day of travel made all the difference.
You can check availability and book the Almin Hotel through Agoda.
Nights 2 & 3: Mimosa Ha Long Hotel
For the two nights around race day, we moved closer to the race start area and stayed at the Mimosa Ha Long Hotel. Positioning yourself near the race venue the night before is something we’d strongly recommend — the last thing you want on race morning is a stressful commute or an early alarm to account for travel time.
The Mimosa Ha Long was a good choice for this. Clean, comfortable, well-located, and reasonably priced. Check availability on Agoda.
The Ha Long Bay Marathon 2025: What to Expect
The Ha Long Bay Marathon is one of Vietnam’s most scenic road races, drawing both local Vietnamese runners and international participants each year. The full event includes marathon, half marathon, and 10km distances — we opted for the 10km, which turned out to be the perfect way to experience the race without destroying our legs mid-trip.
Race Day
Race entry cost us under $30 USD per person — genuinely excellent value for an organised international race event in one of the world’s most beautiful settings.
The course runs along the Ha Long waterfront, and this is where the race earns its reputation. On one side, the road. On the other, Ha Long Bay — limestone karst islands rising from the water as far as you can see, the morning light catching the edges of the formations, fishing boats drifting silently between the islands.
We’ve run races in a lot of places. We’ve never run anywhere that looked like this.
The atmosphere on the course was electric in that particular way that road races get — strangers cheering each other on, the collective rhythm of hundreds of feet hitting the pavement, the shared understanding that everyone out here chose to do something slightly mad and is glad they did it. The waterfront setting amplified everything. Every time the route curved and opened up another view of the bay, you got a little surge of energy that had nothing to do with your training.
For a 10km race, the course was well organised and clearly marked. Water stations were well-placed, volunteers were enthusiastic, and the finish line area had a good energy.
Should You Do the Full Marathon or the 10km?
Honestly, for a trip race — one you’re doing while travelling, not specifically training for — the 10km is the sweet spot. You get the full experience of running along that waterfront, you see the karsts, you feel the atmosphere, and you finish with enough in the tank to actually enjoy the rest of your day.
The full marathon and half marathon are there if you’re a serious runner building these races into a dedicated training block. But if you’re a traveller who wants the experience of running Ha Long Bay without sacrificing a week of recovery time, 10km is the move.
The Post-Race BBQ: Honestly One of the Best Meals of the Trip
Here’s something nobody tells you about race travel: the post-race meal hits differently. There’s something about finishing a run — even a 10km — that makes food taste better than it has any right to.
We found a local BBQ spot near the waterfront and proceeded to eat an absolutely unreasonable amount of food. Grilled meats, seafood, vegetables, rice — the full spread. Very affordable, incredibly good, and exactly the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’ve earned every bite.
Ha Long Bay’s waterfront has no shortage of BBQ options, and the local spots (rather than the tourist-facing restaurants closer to the cruise departure piers) offer far better value and more authentic food. Walk a little away from the main tourist strip, look for where locals are eating, and you’ll eat extremely well for very little money.
This is the meal we still talk about.
Practical Information: Running the Ha Long Bay Marathon
Race distances available: Full marathon, half marathon, 10km
Entry cost: Under $30 USD for the 10km — check the official race website for current pricing across all distances as fees vary by category and registration timing (early bird is cheaper)
How to register: Registration opens months in advance and popular distances sell out. Search “Ha Long Bay Marathon” for the official registration portal and sign up early. You can also find tours and race packages through Klook.
Where to stay: We recommend splitting your stay between a central arrival hotel (we used the Almin Hotel) and moving closer to the race start for the nights around race day (we used the Mimosa Ha Long Hotel). Both are bookable on Agoda.
What to wear: Vietnam in race season can be warm and humid even in the early morning. Lightweight, breathable running kit is essential. Don’t wear anything new on race day — test your gear before you travel.
Getting there:
- From Cat Ba: Direct bus, easy connection
- From Hanoi: Bus or private transfer, approximately 3–4 hours
- From Hanoi by cruise package: Many operators offer Ha Long Bay packages that can be timed around race weekend
Getting a local SIM or e-SIM: You’ll want data on race day for maps, result tracking, and sharing those waterfront photos. We use Airalo for e-SIMs across all our Asia travels — get 10% off with our link.
Tips for Running the Ha Long Bay Marathon
Register early. The 10km and half marathon distances fill up faster than you’d expect for a race of this profile. Don’t leave it until a few weeks out.
Stay near the start line. Race morning logistics are stressful enough without adding a long commute. Pay the slight premium to stay close to the action — your pre-race nerves will thank you.
Run the waterfront section slowly enough to actually look around. It sounds obvious but in the adrenaline of race day it’s easy to put your head down and just run. Look up. Look left. The view is the whole point.
Plan your post-race meal in advance. Find a good local BBQ spot near the waterfront and make that your finish line celebration. You will be hungry, you will deserve it, and the local spots are extraordinary value.
Build in an extra day if you can. Ha Long Bay is worth more than a race-and-leave visit. If your schedule allows, spend an extra day on a cruise or exploring the waterfront at a slower pace after the race. We’d recommend booking through Klook for cruise and activity options.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Ha Long Bay Marathon? The race typically takes place in late November. Check the official race website for 2026 dates as they are usually announced several months in advance.
Is the Ha Long Bay Marathon good for beginners? The 10km distance is very accessible for recreational runners and first-timers. The flat waterfront course makes it a manageable introduction to race running in a genuinely spectacular setting.
How do I get from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay for the marathon? Bus is the most common and affordable option, taking approximately 3–4 hours. Several operators run direct services from Hanoi’s My Dinh bus station. Private transfers and tours are also available for more convenience.
What is the Ha Long Bay Marathon course like? The 10km course runs along the Ha Long waterfront with views of the karst islands throughout. It is largely flat and well-suited to runners of all levels.
Can I combine the Ha Long Bay Marathon with a cruise? Absolutely — and we’d recommend it. Arriving a day or two early for a Lan Ha Bay or Ha Long Bay cruise before the race makes for an incredible few days in the region. Just make sure your cruise returns the day before the race so you’re rested.
Final Thoughts
Running the Ha Long Bay Marathon 10km was one of those happy accidents of travel — something we added to the itinerary almost on a whim that turned into a genuine highlight. The views on that waterfront course are something we’ll carry for a long time.
If you’re in northern Vietnam around race season and have any interest in running at all, sign up. The entry fee is minimal, the experience is anything but, and the post-race BBQ alone is worth the journey.
From Ha Long Bay our adventure continued onward — part of our 100-day Asia journey. If you’re building a similar northern Vietnam itinerary, check out our Sapa trekking guide and our Lan Ha Bay honest review for the full picture
