On May 7, the largest multi-sport sports event week in Southeast Asia officially kicked off in Da Nang with the Opening Ceremony and Press Conference announcing the VNG IRONMAN Vietnam 2026 Award with VNG IRONMAN 70. 3 Da Nang 2026.
This season marks a historical milestone when Vietnam hosted the VNG IRONMAN Vietnam full-distance race for the first time in parallel with the 10th season of VNG IRONMAN 70. 3 Da Nang.
The event week is expected to welcome more than 4,700 athletes, including about 1,800 international athletes (an increase of more than 80% compared to the first season), contributing to consolidating Da Nang's position as the leading sports tourism destination in Asia and making this event the largest triathlon festival ever in Vietnam.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tao Viet Hai, Deputy Director of Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that this event marks an important milestone in the city's journey of developing the sports and tourism industry.
For the first time, Da Nang hosts the VNG IRONMAN Vietnam full-distance tournament, and also celebrates the 10-season journey of VNG IRONMAN 70. 3 Da Nang.
Da Nang is committed to continuing to invest in infrastructure and improve the quality of organization to become a leading destination for international events in the Asia-Pacific region," Mr. Hai said.
On May 10, athletes will gather at Bien Dong Park to start the race. With a route designed according to international standards, both tournaments will take participants through iconic coastal roads, honoring the natural beauty and urban landscape of Da Nang.
This year's event week also has the participation of two legendary figures: Mark Allen, 6-time champion at the IRONMAN World Championship and Yee Sze Mun, who was honored at the IRONMAN Hall of Fame.
Mark Allen will participate in the sharing session "Journey to Conquer IRONMAN" to convey experiences and prepare psychologically for athletes, while Mr. Yee Sze Mun will have an exchange and book signing event in the IRONMAN Village area.
Besides international names, many outstanding Vietnamese athletes also participate. Former national swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien will participate in the relay event at the IRONMAN 70.3 distance, while Lam Quang Nhat (3 times national champion in the Sprint distance) will debut at the IRONMAN 70.3 individual distance.
In addition, familiar faces such as Dang Quoc Tuan (Tuna Dang) - who holds the best achievement in the IRONMAN total distance in Vietnam, along with Le Nhat Tai, Hoang Minh Quan and female athlete Nguyen Thi Tra My (MyCa), will also participate in the VNG IRONMAN Vietnam tournament, creating a fierce race and showing the increasingly strong development of the domestic triathlon movement.
