On August 29, immediately after the opening ceremony of the Bac Ha Autumn Festival 2026, the 10 km running race "Between the Yellow of the Ripe Rice Season" officially took place with the participation of 250 athletes from inside and outside the locality.
Athletes compete in two events, men's and women's, on the same 10 km long route, starting from the Hoang A Tuong Mansion area, then crossing the mountainsides and terraced fields that are turning yellow.
Not only is it a speed race, the track also brings a unique experience of the Bac Ha highlands. The steep, winding roads continuously challenge the endurance and will of the athletes.
On the race track, athletes must maintain physical strength, distribute strength reasonably to overcome steep slopes. In return, they have the opportunity to run between the space of mountains and forests and terraced fields during the ripe rice season.
After more than 1 hour of competition, the athletes successively completed the run and reached the finish line safely.
Athlete Sung Van Nguyen (Muong Khuong), who finished first in the men's event, shared that this was a memorable experience.
Running in the vast space of Bac Ha terraced fields in the ripe rice season, breathing the fresh air of the high mountains and forests, all fatigue seems to disappear.
The feeling at the finish line was both overwhelming and proud to conquer the challenge in my hometown of Lao Cai," Mr. Nguyen said.
In the women's event, athlete Nguyen Thi Thanh Hong (Lao Cai ward) excellently finished first.
Sharing after completing the race, Ms. Hong said that the 10 km route brings a special feeling when both competing and experiencing the scenery of Bac Ha.
The 10 km road today is as beautiful as a painting. The road has some quite tiring ups and downs, but thanks to the encouragement of people and friends, I have more energy to break through to the finish line," Ms. Hong shared.
According to Ms. Pham Thi Non - representative of the Organizing Committee, the race is organized to create a playground for health training, and at the same time contribute to introducing the landscape, culture and people of Bac Ha to tourists.
Through the race, we want to bring athletes and tourists an impression of a dynamic and healthy Bac Ha but still imbued with the cultural identity of the highlands. Every step on the road is also a way to connect tourists with the natural scenery and people here," Ms. Non said.
The 10 km running race "Mean the golden color of ripe rice" is one of the activities within the framework of the Bac Ha Autumn Festival 2026, contributing to creating more highlights for the autumn tourism season - ripe rice season in the highlands of Lao Cai.
