HDBank Green Marathon 2026: Can Gio becomes the meeting point for runners seeking a green rhythm of life

When the first runners arrive at the mangrove forest in September, Can Gio will host the fifth edition of HDBank Green Marathon 2026. Organized by HDBank, Unique Company and the Ho Chi Minh City Athletics Federation, the race is a community event with distances from 5km to 42km plus children’s and team categories. The marathon course is AIMS-certified, taking place partly inside the UNESCO-recognized Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. The race is not part of national team qualification. Instead, it focuses on giving recreational runners a measured route, a digital training platform and an environmental mission. Previous editions planted more than 2,000 trees and supported beach clean-ups. This year’s event continues with the “Green Marathon online” program, allowing participants to log training runs through HDBank’s digital banking app. There are no big-name elite athletes registered, and this is intentional. The wide range of distances and team competitions makes the event welcoming for families, beginners and semi-competitive runners. The surface varies from concrete to sand and damp earth, so experienced runners treat Can Gio as a challenging training ground rather than a place to chase a personal best. The most interesting point is the commercial logic: the event connects a bank’s digital services to a year-round exercise habit. Runners can use the same app for eKYC account opening, training logging and heart-rate tracking. This moves a one-day race into a long-term customer relationship and promotes sustainable sports culture. The result is a local marathon model that does not depend on star athletes or hype, but on committed community runners and a protected natural landscape.