Running Through the Greenery of Da Lat
A community of amateur runners who love the trails and winding hills of Da Lat is working to encourage more people to run, train and compete, bringing the city closer to running enthusiasts from near and far.
“I work as a teacher at Dong Da Secondary and High School in Da Lat, and I've been running for several years now. Running has provided me with numerous benefits, including improved physical and mental well-being, connections with fellow runners, and a greater appreciation for this mountain city,” Nguyen Huong, a member of the Dalat Runner Club, said.
Nguyen Huong is a member of Da Lat’s running community, and the Dalat Runner club is one of the sports clubs managed by the Lam Vien - Da Lat Ward People's Committee.
Ho Van Binh, a member of the club's management team and a seasoned runner in local and regional races, stated that Dalat Runner grew out of a community of running enthusiasts who frequently ran around Xuan Huong Lake and gathered for weekend runs.
“We began simply because of our passion for running. Initially, we were just individuals who ran together on weekends. Eventually, to strengthen solidarity within Da Lat’s running community and to contribute more to the local sports movement, we formed the club with the approval of the Lam Vien - Da Lat Ward People's Committee ” Binh mentioned.
Road and Trail Running in Da Lat
The club consists of 200 members who are split into two training groups. One group is dedicated to road running in urban settings, while the other focuses on trail running in mountainous and off-road terrain.
Binh notes that Da Lat and Lam Dong Province provide numerous scenic trails for running.
“Well-known trail-running events in Lam Dong, such as the Ta Cu Mountain Climbing Race, the Ta Nang Half Marathon, the Brah Yang Trail, and particularly the Dalat Ultra Trail, draw participants not just from Vietnam but also from abroad. These events have established themselves as prominent fixtures within the trail-running community. Our club members aspire to contribute to the running movement in Lam Dong and throughout the nation,” Binh stated.
Club members currently engage in training sessions around Xuan Huong Lake during the weekends. At the same time, the trail-running group trains on trails near Hon Bo and Lang Biang to prepare for upcoming races.
The club actively participates in sports events organized by Lam Vien Ward and surrounding wards, contributing to the local fitness and sports movement. Members are also encouraged to take part in races held in various locations throughout the country, helping to promote the club’s profile beyond Da Lat.
Building a Broader Running Community
According to the organizers of the Tien Phong Marathon, Dalat Runners is recognized as one of the prominent and successful running clubs in the Central Highlands.
The club currently boasts 33 members who are featured on the “Vietnam Best Marathon – Gold Board,” along with notable Elite Road runners such as Vong Vanh Long, Truong Tri Tam, and Ho Van Binh.
Additionally, it includes leading Elite Trail runners like Nguyen Phuong Hieu, Nguyen Dang Quang, Tran Minh Tuyen, and Ya Diep, who consistently make a name for themselves at major trail-running competitions.
In 2025, the club achieved first place in the Club/Team category during the Dalat Music Night Run, showcasing the group's ongoing growth. Significantly, the club has drawn in hundreds of regular runners, further enhancing the running movement in Da Lat.
“We are in the process of organizing running events for amateur participants to draw in non-professional runners to Da Lat. For instance, we intend to collaborate with Xuan Truong - Da Lat Ward to host the Xuan Truong Trail, featuring a path that winds through scenic tea and persimmon hills. By offering moderate distances and accessible pathways, we aim to attract a significant number of amateur runners to enjoy Da Lat’s stunning landscapes. This is the vision of the running community in our mountain city,” Ho Van Binh stated.