[UEH 50] UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 Kicks Off: Thousands of Runners Converge on the Heritage Run of Knowledge - People

[UEH 50] UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 Kicks Off: Thousands of Runners Converge on the Heritage Run of Knowledge - People - Future

06 Jun, 2026

On June 6, 2026, at Sala Urban Area, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) officially kicked off the UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 under the theme "Embracing Our Future." As one of the key activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of UEH's establishment (1976-2026), the event brought together more than 4,000 athletes, lecturers, staff, students, alumni, partners, and the community to participate in the heritage journey of "Knowledge - People - Future."

Organized for the first time on a large scale for the entire community, the UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 is designed as a "heritage run," retracing the half-century journey of knowledge creation, human development, and orientation towards UEH's sustainable future. With the message "Embracing Our Future," the run is not only a sporting event but also a gathering point for generations of UEHers and the Changemaker community, spreading the spirit of training, connection, and action for new future values.

Vibrant Expo Day kicks off the UEH community jonnection Journey

From the morning of June 6, 2026, the atmosphere at Sala Urban Area became vibrant with thousands of athletes arriving to collect their BIBs, race kits, and participate in a series of activities within the Expo Day framework.

Athletes receiving BIBs and race kits at Expo Day

In addition to the exhibition area commemorating UEH's 50th anniversary, attendees also had the opportunity to experience corporate booths, visit the UEH Alumni area, activate their UEH Alumni E-member Card, own the limited edition UEH 50th anniversary merchandise collection, and participate in many community interaction activities. The Expo Day space served as a preparation ground for Race Day as well as a meeting and connection point between generations of UEHers, partners, businesses, and the community passionate about sports and a healthy lifestyle.

Attendees and athletes checking in at UEH Run Half Marathon

Attendees checking in at the UEH 50th anniversary exhibition area

Interactive activities at the corporate booths accompanying the event, with many attractive gifts for athletes and attendees

The Alumni booth attracted many alumni to activate their UEH Alumni E-member Card

Athletes excitedly purchasing the limited edition UEH 50th anniversary merchandise collection at the UEH Shop

Opening Ceremony of UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 "Embracing Our Future"

The opening ceremony of UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 "Embracing Our Future" took place in a vibrant atmosphere, gathering numerous athletes, volunteers, lecturers, staff, alumni, partners, and the community all looking toward the 50th anniversary milestone of UEH's establishment.

Attending the program, on the side of UEH, there were Dr. Dinh Cong Khai - UEH Vice President; Dr. Nguyen Thien Duy - Chairman of UEH Trade Union along with leaders of various units under the University. On the side of businesses and partners accompanying and sponsoring the run, attendees including Mr. Nguyen Van Minh - Director of Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank (OCB) - Thu Duc Branch.

Panoramic view of the UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 opening ceremony

The program affirmed that UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 is one of the meaningful activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of UEH's establishment. With the message "Embracing Our Future," the event not only connects the UEH community through an inspiring sporting journey but also helps disseminate the heritage values nurtured over half a century, providing further motivation to look toward a sustainable future.

Dr. Dinh Cong Khai - UEH Vice President delivering the opening speech

Heritage run retracing UEH's 50-year journey

One of the highlights of the program was the official introduction of the UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 heritage run. Attendees together looked back at the development stages of UEH from 1976 to the present; the journey of transformation from a specialized economics university into a multidisciplinary, multi-field university belonging to the group of leading universities in the region.

The three race distances were designed with three symbolic layers of meaning:

5km - Heritage of Knowledge
10km - Heritage of People
21km - Heritage of Future

Each distance represents a stage in UEH's development, while also conveying the aspiration to continue creating new values for the community and society.

Introduction to the UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 heritage run

Connecting the UEH Alumni Community and spreading the Changemaker spirit

Within the framework of the opening ceremony, UEH also introduced the UEH Alumni network - a community connecting generations of alumni globally.

Through the UEH Alumni platform and the UEH Alumni E-Member Card activation program, alumni participating in the run gain additional opportunities to connect, share knowledge, accompany lifelong learning activities, and jointly create positive values for society.

This is also one of the hallmarks demonstrating the spirit of community connection throughout UEH's 50-year development journey.

Attendees watching the introduction video of UEH Alumni and activating the UEH Alumni E-Member Card

Talkshow "Listen to Your Body with Every Stride": Spreading a Healthy and Balanced Lifestyle

Continuing the opening ceremony program, a large number of athletes, students, and attendees participated in the Talkshow "Listen to Your Body with Every Stride" with the message "Understand Your Body • Strengthen Your Mind • Live in Balance." The program opened up an intimate sharing space about physical and mental health, and habits for building a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.

The Talkshow featured the participation of Ms. Nga Vo - endurance athlete and inspirational speaker; along with Dr. Nguyen Thi Hoa - Vice Director and Head of the Professional Department of the Institute of Nutrition Research and Consulting. From practical and professional perspectives, the speakers shared about the journey of starting to run, maintaining motivation, nutrition, recovery, and building a healthy lifestyle for students and young people. Through this, the program spread the spirit of UEH Run Half Marathon 2026: every step is not only a journey of self-conquest but also an opportunity to listen to your body, nurture your spirit, and create positive changes.

Talkshow "Listen to Your Body with Every Stride" inspiring a healthy and balanced lifestyle

Concluding the opening ceremony and Expo Day, UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 will officially enter Race Day on the morning of June 7, 2026.

Detailed Race Day schedule for the morning of June 7, 2026

With three distances of 5km, 10km, and 21km corresponding to the three symbols - Heritage of Knowledge, Heritage of People, Heritage of Future - thousands of athletes will start together from Sala Urban Area to conquer routes imbued with the UEH spirit.

Not merely a journey of self-transcendence, UEH Run Half Marathon 2026 is also an occasion for the UEH community to connect, continue the 50-year heritage, and spread the spirit of action for sustainable future values.