![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 2 - Vietnam Tourism marathon vn.jpg](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/marathon-vn-1502.jpg?width=0&s=TZvV9NUXiI8WtcTHjc-LFA)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 3 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened cb79c47ebc42455fa7ddf844138e5371 1486 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-cb79c47ebc42455fa7ddf844138e5371-1486.jpg?width=0&s=I9OsFw9VVRsjul0ggnIieA)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 4 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened 857c389b15a94d06b5adae997da9fcaa 1488 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-857c389b15a94d06b5adae997da9fcaa-1488.jpg?width=0&s=TR7W5TE2ryBi5XOeMsMNZQ)
A recent report by US-based Allied Market Research shows that Asia-Pacific is emerging as a region that will have a high growth rate in sports tourism because more and more sporting events are held here, attracting an increasing number of international athletes.
According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, sports tourism has only boomed in Vietnam over the past 5-7 years, with typical products being tours designed to sell with marathons or those organised by tourism businesses for Vietnamese people to go abroad to watch the national football team’s matches.
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 5 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened 8b69681601414f0cac056315b21cac63 1485 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-8b69681601414f0cac056315b21cac63-1485.jpg?width=0&s=lQ-MOQfYzSdRKpAWfqQs4w)
Currently, the number of sports events is increasing in Vietnam. In running alone, there are currently about 80 marathon events held nationwide with different distances and terrains.
Since the beginning of 2024, dozens of marathons and half-marathons have been held, attracting a large number of athletes. These include Mau Son Mount Paths (Lang Son), Tien Phong Marathon (Phu Yen), VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight 2024 (Ho Chi Minh City), and THACO Marathon for Traffic Safety – Dien Bien Phu (Dien Bien). The races have many novel ideas to attract athletes and tourists such as running across scenic spots and areas with beautiful landscapes, or being organised at night.
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 6 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened 5bd2f31c3da94ac79c12161bb74e1729 1487 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-5bd2f31c3da94ac79c12161bb74e1729-1487.jpg?width=0&s=C96SZgcRlHjrmealhhkLkg)
In the photo: Tourists experience the beautiful scenery of terraced rice fields in Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province. (Photo: VNA)
Sports tournaments in localities with complex mountainous terrain and beautiful scenery have now become an attractive feature of many localities. One of the most impressive running events is the Vietnam Ultra Marathon 2024 held in Lac hamlet, Chieng Chau commune, Mai Chau district, the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh, with more than 2,200 athletes from 38 countries.
“Participating in the marathon in Mai Chau is not only a race, but also an experience of discovering new exciting lands. Along the running routes, athletes were immersed in beautiful scenery, and directly experienced the unique and charming local features. From exploring the trails that few people visit, to experiencing the local culture. Mai Chau has brought interesting and unforgettable memories to me and my friends.”
Athlete Michal Lesniak from Poland, who has won many major races in Europe and Asia
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 7 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened db1ecd2d9eba44d8b402a8d64735a8bf 1483 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-db1ecd2d9eba44d8b402a8d64735a8bf-1483.webp?width=0&s=1QN5pYSbwyGjJZ50CTmCQA)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 8 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened 861f189f69044531ac41b402a5643134 1499 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-861f189f69044531ac41b402a5643134-1499.jpeg?width=0&s=c7pfbHUdKy2uAKl0NsRUnA)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 9 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened 2ad134201b3f44e99b089da91f94da84 1490 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-2ad134201b3f44e99b089da91f94da84-1490.jpeg?width=0&s=hrC_un-O7DV-XZEhsg8JpQ)
Earlier this year, the northern mountainous province of Son La also successfully organised the Vietnam Trail Marathon in Moc Chau district with a record number of participating athletes: 4,200. Not only did it welcome a large number of visitors when the tournament was held, Son La could also promote the beauty of its nature and people.
“Trail running brings extremely special emotions because athletes not only get to exercise, awaken their own potential, but also can immerse themselves in the majestic nature. That’s why athletes feel extremely happy.”
Nguyen Manh Hung, General Secretary of the Vietnam Athletics Federation
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 10 - Vietnam Tourism marathon vn.jpg](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/marathon-vn-1503.jpg?width=0&s=ta4lwet-oO84cLQaW4xJug)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 11 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened a3a8dd885132459aae6028611ced76d9 1484 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-a3a8dd885132459aae6028611ced76d9-1484.webp?width=0&s=VB-PHtS7AGqdDFiDzGOuZw)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 12 - Vietnam Tourism marathon vn.jpg](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/marathon-vn-1504.jpg?width=0&s=cuCXle7HpFIe9Df26DAlmA)
In March of this year, the UIM F1H2O World Championship, and the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship were organised in the coastal city of Quy Nhon in Binh Dinh province, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to Binh Dinh.
In fact, sports tourists often spend a lot on hotel rooms, restaurants and shopping and visiting tourist attractions. In addition, more and more professional teams are playing in international venues and fans want to follow them, allowing destinations to attract more attention from tourists.
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 13 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened 35c2c10009b1424299edd7e1cda4eb67 1497 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-35c2c10009b1424299edd7e1cda4eb67-1497.jpg?width=0&s=E2E97dHw1ZwkszD1OaLQcg)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 14 - Vietnam Tourism boat vn.jpg](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/boat-vn-1505.jpg?width=0&s=5hZc6DEsp_VSaYUucG23JQ)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 15 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened 7ec39a507e8346c59ba22a8db86573f8 1489 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-7ec39a507e8346c59ba22a8db86573f8-1489.jpg?width=0&s=HGmNgXmdlAqQUR-u1oN26A)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 16 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened 99597b1048dc4a8bbff9146a5dfed2a0 1496 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-99597b1048dc4a8bbff9146a5dfed2a0-1496.jpg?width=0&s=_--_DNio4p3i5ZfVaweilg)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 17 - Vietnam Tourism boat vn.jpg](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/boat-vn-1506.jpg?width=0&s=AC3QOtEr_yw3UXsjDBUCpg)
According to Pham Ha, Chairman of Lux Group – a tourism development corporation, to turn sports into a key product of Vietnamese tourism, it is important to have thorough research and long-term orientations to build and upgrade infrastructure in a professional and modern direction.
Vietnam also needs to have an event promotion strategy to increase the opportunity to host more international sports events, and boost coordination between the tourism and sports sectors.
“To effectively exploit sports events, travel businesses need to create an information mechanism with the sports management side to grasp the event schedule as soon as possible to build suitable products.”
Director of Vplus Vietnam Travel and Event Joint Stock Company Nguyen Duc Anh
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 18 - Vietnam Tourism boat vn.jpg](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/boat-vn-1507.jpg?width=0&s=iRLYC_-9DVkq15YWLhiijA)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 19 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened bd7a9936f057445596ec9ef89e95215a 1491 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-bd7a9936f057445596ec9ef89e95215a-1491.jpg?width=0&s=RmhUkg9lMJWiHMT9xFsqmg)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 20 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened 19b5c26f7a8548e1aa9906ca9dce8518 1494 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-19b5c26f7a8548e1aa9906ca9dce8518-1494.jpg?width=0&s=UkuYjfA0N9ODv9AQ0-FvEA)
Chairman of the Vietnam Society of Travel Agents Vu The Binh said that to attract tourists, travel agents need to design tours that include different activities. To do this, event organisers need to shake hands with tourism businesses to create rich product packages, helping athletes and their relatives have the best experience when coming to Vietnam.
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 21 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened 96e82463bf214b0cbd8ae42595c81a7b 1498 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-96e82463bf214b0cbd8ae42595c81a7b-1498.jpg?width=0&s=3rLX_NG6YCn0kWNCafNR6Q)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 22 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened 10bc1fc499cd49588be3c9e47ce02ed0 1493 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-10bc1fc499cd49588be3c9e47ce02ed0-1493.jpg?width=0&s=h-ZWho-xrlNaQ62FFvfkDw)
![Sports tourism - Potential awaits to be awakened 23 - Vietnam Tourism sports tourism potential awaits to be awakened de8e17847c6d49dbbf21f042275f3ff8 1492 - Travel News, Insights & Resources.](https://static-images.vnncdn.net/vps_images_publish/000001/00000Q/2024/5/10/sports-tourism-potential-awaits-to-be-awakened-de8e17847c6d49dbbf21f042275f3ff8-1492.jpg?width=0&s=Y2uBTLajOj7kYWe3ZKnQkA)
Localities need to create open procedures in licensing the organisation of sports tournaments to serve tourism, and encourage travel companies to form alliances to sell products related to sports tourism.
To make sports tourism a key product, the sector needs to coordinate with localities, tourism businesses, service establishments and related parties, and have more incentive policies to attract more and more sports-loving tourists to Vietnam./. VNA