Entering the year of 2020, Vietnam has assumed the role of rotating chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Under the theme of "Alignment and Active Adaptation", Vietnam has proposed a diverse action plan to increase cohesion and promote the strong development of the ASEAN community.

The VPBank Hanoi Marathon is part of the national athletics competition system, which was first organized in 2018 in Hanoi. The race has been selected as one of the sporting events of the year and changed its name to "the VPBank Hanoi Marathon ASEAN 2020". The event is expected to go beyond the framework of a race to become a cultural exchange activity that brings together ASEAN people and international friends.

The selection follows the previous decision of the municipal authority to declare VPBank Hanoi Marathon as "Hanoi's Official International Marathon".

Organizers of the Marathon, the running course of which has been certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) include Duc Huong Anh Company (DHA), one of Vietnam's largest and most professional race organizers, the Vietnam Athletics Federation, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports and the People's Deputy newspaper. The race is honored to have the Vietnam Prosperity Bank - VPBank as its main sponsor.

In addition to ensuring professionalism, the Race Organizing Committee (ROC) has clearly defined the role and social responsibility of VPBank Hanoi Marathon ASEAN 2020, which carries a symbolic meaning for the capital city with thousand years of civilization. The ROC has decided to establish a COMMUNITY HUB to gather prestigious funds and charity organizations, and create conditions for them to proactively conduct fund-raising activities from the marathon to serve their charitable activities.

The participation and diversification of charitable activities of the above institutions in the COMMUNITY HUB is also an opportunity for runners joining the VPBank Hanoi Marathon to give it another noble meaning. Running is not only for health, for the passion of discovery, but each runners' step also brings many changes to those who really need help. Those changes are sometimes meant to be able to live, or a life-changing opportunity for a bright future.

In 2019, VPBank Hanoi Marathon ROC and runners donated more than VND 500 million to the following funds: "Pair of Loving Leaves", "Operation Smile", "Thien Nhan and Friends", "For a Strong Heart" and also to Czech Embassy’s project supporting Vietnamese young talents, helping children who are talented in athletics but lack access to training and developing professional sport career.

Runners participating in the VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2019 support the "Operation Smile" fund, which is aimed at bringing smiles to Vietnamese children.

These humane activities will be furthered with the October 2020 marathon. Running steps full of love will surely be a nice experience for the runners competing in the VPBank Hanoi Marathon ASEAN 2020. Let your heart tell of a choice to make your run filled with the happiness of giving.

The list of charity organizations will be updated.

The Race Organizing Committee

VPBank Hanoi Marathon ASEAN 2020