The Allure of Da Lat Spreads Through the Trails

After seven years in Da Lat, Dalat Ultra Trail has evolved far beyond a sporting event. The mountain race has become a catalyst for Lam Dong’s sports tourism strategy, paving the way for a new wave of trail competitions and strengthening Da Lat’s image as a destination where nature, endurance and travel converge.

When Da Lat chooses the race

Few people know that one of Vietnam’s most iconic trail-running events actually began with mountain biking.

Back in 2015, four sports enthusiasts founded a company to organize an off-road cycling race. Among them were Phan Tuong Long, now CEO; Thuong Vu; and Tran Thoi, a renowned cyclist and coach who currently oversees course safety. All were based in Ho Chi Minh City, yet they chose Da Lat as their arena.

The event was named Dalat Victory Challenge.

Soon after, the terrain that had tested cyclists began welcoming runners. From that foundation, Dalat Ultra Trail was born.

Why Da Lat?

“Da Lat chose us — we didn’t choose Da Lat,” said Nguyen Tu Han, communications lead at MTB Series, with a smile.

Da Lat naturally checks every box for outdoor sports: year-round cool weather, rolling hills, pine forests, lakes, waterfalls, and forest trails that look like they belong in a painting. For athletes from Vietnam’s lowland regions, the landscape offers both relief and challenge — fresh air, dramatic elevation, and a true test of endurance.

The race is held in March, the dry season and arguably Da Lat’s most beautiful time of year — also just after Lunar New Year, when many people seek an energizing start to the year through travel and fitness. For many participants, the race doubles as a family getaway.

Infrastructure meets opportunity

Beyond its scenery, Da Lat brings another advantage: readiness.

As a long-established resort city, it boasts relatively complete infrastructure — highways, an airport connecting major domestic and international hubs, and a wide range of hotels and restaurants capable of accommodating tens of thousands of visitors during race week.

Equally important has been strong backing from Lam Dong’s authorities. From licensing to logistics, local support helped shape the event into an annual, large-scale, socially funded sporting fixture.

That cooperation has proven to be a decisive edge.

From competition to community

The very first Dalat Victory Challenge in 2015 drew leading domestic cycling teams and international riders, quickly establishing itself as a major fixture on Vietnam’s mountain biking calendar.

In 2018, the city successfully hosted its first international ultra-marathon — the inaugural Dalat Ultra Trail. The MTB Series company began operating both cycling and trail-running events in parallel, before eventually focusing resources entirely on Dalat Ultra Trail as it grew rapidly.

The numbers spoke for themselves: 2,300 runners in its first year, an impressive figure at the time. While northern Vietnam already had several trail races, Dalat Ultra Trail became the South’s first large-scale, professionally organized event.

From the outset, the race also joined the Asia Trail Master system, allowing athletes to accumulate ranking points and compete internationally. This move elevated the event’s reputation and steadily attracted foreign runners.

Today, participation has surged to over 6,000 runners each season, including more than 300 international athletes from around 40 countries.

Distances are designed inclusively, welcoming both elite ultra-runners and first-time participants — reinforcing the race’s community-first philosophy.

More than a race

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Trail races contribute to tourism linked with a green economy, spread community sports participation, and help position Lam Dong as a destination for sports, eco-tourism and experiential travel. Hosting such events also strengthens the province’s capacity to organize national and international outdoor competitions.

Huynh Ngoc Tam, Deputy Director of Lam Dong’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism

A growing identity

From a pioneering race to a thriving ecosystem of outdoor events, Dalat Ultra Trail has helped redefine Da Lat’s identity.

Da Lat is no longer known only for flowers, pine forests and romance. It is becoming a place where people come to move — to run, ride, breathe deeply and reconnect with nature.

Each spring, thousands of footsteps echo across the hills, carrying with them a shared rhythm: sport, travel and the enduring charm of Da Lat.