NEWS | Vietnam Trail Series

VJM Improvements and Updates

VJM IMPROVEMENTS AND UPDATES We’ve been back in beautiful Pu Luong recently making some updates to the race course and we are very confident our runners are going to love the new courses. As a result of the upgrades, ...

3. April 2023

VMM Funds Life-Changing Surgery

VMM Funds Life-Changing Surgery Operation Smile recently performed life-changing surgery on 150 children with cleft lips at Vietnam Cuba Friendship Hospital. This was made possible in part thanks to funds raised via V...

3. April 2023

Why I Love VJM – By Our Runners

Why I Love VJM – By Our Runners All of us here at Topas love VJM, but instead of telling you why we love it, we asked a selection of past VJM runners to give us their reasons. Read on to find out what they said&...

16. February 2023

VTM Saving Lives with Newborns Vietnam

Over the Vietnam Trail Marathon weekend, Newborns Vietnam and Son La Department of Health signed a three-year partnership with Son La Province General Hospital, Moc Chau General Hospital and Thao Nguyen General Hospit...

15. February 2023

Achievement = Confidence

Blue Dragon Children's Foundation works with street kids and survivors of human trafficking and those in positions of hardship. Here, the charitys co-CEO, Do Duy Vi, write about the importance of achievement and the r...

9. January 2023

Italian and Vietnamese runners win VTM Ultra

Italian & Vietnamese runners win VTM Ultra Moc Chau welcomed thousands of runners racing up to 70km on stunning trails in remote mountains and through minority villages and blossom filled orchards. Plus, money rai...

6. December 2022

VTS Strava Club Leaders (28/11 – 04/12/2022)

Last week, VTS Strava Club witnessed great performances from its members. John Calabrese led the distance records while Mita Saha led total running time boards. In terms of distance, John Calaberse got a total ...

2. December 2022

Q & A with Multiple Ultra Trail Champion, Canada’s Jeff Campbell

"At Vietnam Jungle Marathon Jeff Campbell added the 70k to his long list of running wins which include Oxfam Trailwalker 100k (twice), King of the Hills HK Series (three times), The North Face HK 50k,..."

25. November 2022

Child drowning prevention for Thanh Hoa

With funds raised by the Vietnam Jungle Marathon trail race, Topas has continued funding work to prevent children from drowning in Thanh Hoa province, where the race is held. The latest training held this summer had a...

25. November 2022

VTS Strava Club Leaders (19/11 – 25/11/2022)

Last week’s VTS Strava Club saw Thủy Lê (Vietnam) leading both the distance and total running time boards. She ran 378.2 km in a total time of more than 44 hours. From Vietnam, Lan Nguyễn scored the second spot for to...

26. October 2022

Vietnam Jungle Marathon 2022 Photo Contest

Here are the top 10 shots chosen chosen by the organisers from the photo contest submissions. One of these will earn A FREE SLOT at Vietnam Trail Marathon 2023 on 07/1. You can now vote for them at our fanpage here. &...

18. October 2022

Champ Jeff Visits Blue Dragon Run Club

Last night 70k champ Jeff Campbell was the special guest at the Blue Dragon Running Club post-VJM party. He attended along with Race Director, David Lloyd, and Quang Nguyen, who helps coach the kids. After Jeff gave ...

18. October 2022

Canadian and Belgium Champs Crowned at a stunning Vietnam Jungle Marathon

Runners from 47 nations ran up to 70km in Pu Luong Nature Reserve on Saturday, with money also raised to fund a local school upgrade Photo: Vanja Cnops on her way to victory in the 70km This was the fifth edition of...

14. October 2022

47 nationalities to run at Vietnam Jungle Marathon

Runners from 47 nations are set to run up to 70km in Pu Luong Nature Reserve this weekend. With some top ultra runners coming from overseas going head to head with Vietnam’s best, this year’s 70k race Vietnam Jungle M...

31. August 2022

6 Top 100 Mile Ultra Tips from Jean

Jean Henri Haniquaut is a French ultra-runner and lover of mountains and outdoors activities. After 10 years of rock climbing, he discovered trail running and fell in love. He’s finished six 100 mile races in Europe. ...

17. August 2022

VMM 2022 Updates

VMM 2022 UPDATE For the ninth edition of Vietnam Mountain Marathon there are updates for many distances, alongside the all new VMM 100 miles. Here we provide an overview of the changes. The 21K update For the first t...

16. August 2022

Interviews · News · Training

How to survive the Vietnam Mountain Marathon 100 miles?

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28. July 2022

News · Training

Updating The Vietnam Mountain Marathon 100 Miles Course

Over the last couple of months we’ve made a few adjustments to the VMM 100 Mile Course. Here Race Director David Lloyd explains some of the changes. This year’s VMM 100 Miles will be the first ever 100 mile cou...

28. July 2022

News · Nutrition · Training

100 Miles Tips from Ultra Running Veterans

With the first Vietnam Mountain Marathon 100 Miles approaching, multiple 100 miles finisher Ken Crouse, shares tips from fellow 100 miles veterans and offers some personal advice to help mountain runners prepare for t...

26. July 2022

Blue Dragon Kids Run Vietnam Trail Marathon

Among the many runners that took part in the Vietnam Trail Marathon this year, one group stood out in the crowd: the kids from Blue Dragon. Read on to learn why VTM is so important to them. The past year has been a tu...

23. June 2022

Interviews · News

Q&A: Nho Hoai – Vietnam Trail Marathon 70KM Ultra Champion

"Going from a stressed, quiet person, to an ultra runner full of life and enthusiasm."

23. May 2022

Charity · Interviews · News

Winners Crowned at Vietnam Trail Marathon in Harvest Season

"Today is my 38th birthday so I am very happy to win the race"

18. March 2022

From Street Kid to CEO and Ultra Runner

"We can only do this with support from the community. "

27. January 2022

Nhon’s Project RUN100 For Operation Smile

"With running, I find myself changing every day, both physically and mentally."

14. December 2021

2021 in Review

Despite the challenges posed this year, we were fortunate to organise one great race, push ahead with many charity projects, and develop our events. The running community has also been full of incredible feats. Here w...

13. December 2021

Lifesaving Equipment For Moc Chau

With funding from Vietnam Trail Marathon, Newborns Vietnam has just handed over new lifesaving equipment to Moc Chau General Hospital to help to ensure high quality care for mothers and babies. Newborns Vietnam...

25. November 2021

100 Miles in Soc Son

"If you want to go far, go together"

25. November 2021

UpRace 2021 – Virtual Run, Actual Impact

UpRace is a virtual run organised since 2018. For every kilometer run by the participants, the event sponsors will donate VND 1,000 to charity. With so many sport events postponed due to Covid-19, runners this year we...

25. November 2021

Blue Dragon Christmas Appeal

2021 has been a difficult year for many, but you can make the end of the year brighter for disadvantaged children and families throughout Vietnam through the Blue Dragon Christmas Appeal. For example, a donation of VN...

25. November 2021

Topas School Building Continues

Following the upgrades of Nam Lang B School, we began work on a new school project – the Ban Pho Primary School. Words and photos by Kien. The exterior of the old school building, before work began Ban Pho Prima...

22. September 2021

Topas Unites For Charity

Vietnam Trail Series and Topas Ecolodge have long supported the work of Blue Dragon, a charity which works with children and families in crisis. Last weekend members of Team Topas in Hanoi, Sapa, Danang, Hoi An and a...

21. September 2021

Charity · Interviews

Blue Dragon Vi’s 72k Indoor Ultra

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15. September 2021

Emma Pooley Q&A

"I simply love being in the mountains, and out in nature. The beauty of the surroundings is, literally, awe-inspiring. It makes me happy to be in those beautiful places."

8. September 2021

Saving Newborn Lives

Vietnam Trail Series races have been contributing to the work of Newborns Vietnam for some years. Here are some of the highlights from the past year along with the charity’s aims for the future. Words By Newborns Viet...

30. August 2021

Trung’s Treadmill 160k+

"I’d like to send a message to my running friends that do not be discouraged by the lack of training or low volumes."

24. August 2021

Q & A: Harry Jones

"When I started running on the trails it opened up another side to running that felt far more natural and exciting than running track ever had."

24. August 2021

Lockdown Training

This month Quang Nguyen shares some of his home training tips for those currently unable to do their usual running outdoors. For the last two years, many sport events have been rescheduled due to the ongoing Covid-19 ...

19. August 2021

Champ Fuel: Valentin’s Nutrition and Favourite Recipe

For runners, food is more than simple nutrition, food is fuel. Here VTM champ Valentin Orange shares a bit about what he eats everyday and introduces a favorite recipe for pre and post workout – the Nourish Bowl...

18. August 2021

The Healing Power Of Running

Today, Binh* (*name changed for this article) is a happy member of the Blue Dragon Running Club. At 15 years old, he is a hardworking student who is full of energy, dreams, and ambitions. Binh hopes for a better futu...

28. July 2021

Lockdown Ultra Art

During the lockdown, some runners who have been unable to do their usual miles have turned to other forms of expression. Multiple Vietnam Trail Series champ, Quang Tran, is one of them. His paintings about trail runni...

22. July 2021

Nhon’s 14 day Lockdown Training Plan

With many runners in Vietnam currently unable to go outside to train, multiple race champion Đỗ Trọng Nhơn shares how he is training indoors. (Please note that Nhon’s level of training is suitable for the more hardco...

22. July 2021

Ha Thi Hau, VTS Champ

"Winning or losing in every race has to do a lot with my own efforts and perseverance."

20. July 2021

VJM Funds Water Safety Program

In Vietnam drowning is the leading cause of death in children. Over 2,000 children a year drown in Vietnam – more than any other country in South East Asia. The drowning rate in Thanh Hoa, home of Vietnam Jungl...

24. June 2021

Q & A: Simon Grimstrup – Everesting World Record Holder

"It is also important that you are really motivated! Motivated from the inside to do something that will put a big stress on your body. "

27. May 2021

VMM Route Updates

VMM 2021 will feature new routes and more trail, with the most significant updates in the first 30k of the 100k route and also the 42k route. Last year we made significant updates to the final 42k of our 100km course...

24. May 2021

Topas funded charitable projects around Nam Cang

Since 2015, more than $32,550 has been donated to fund to various charitable projects around the Nam Cang area. Over the last six years, Topas has implemented more than 10 projects for the benefit of local communities...

20. May 2021

Smile Warriors on the VTM Trails

As of May 10, Operation Smile has raised VND374,707,716 from Vietnam Trail Marathon: the direct funds from Topas VTM 2021 (VND174,023,850) plus the funds raised by Smile Runners (VND200,683,866). This money will help ...

20. May 2021

Newborns Vietnam launches project funded by Vietnam Trail Marathon

The neonatal mortality rate in Son La Province (home of VTM) is currently twice the national average, making this new project of vital importance. With the funding from Topas, training, equipment and outreach to remo...

19. May 2021

Q & A with Valentin Orange, VTM Champ

"I signed up for VMM 42KM without knowing that it would change my life!"

17. May 2021

Blue Dragon Running Club at VTM 2021

Among the thousands of VTM runners this year there was a very special group of younger runners: 17 kids from the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation. They all finished strong, and two placed first and second in the 5km....

14. May 2021

NEW EVERESTING WORLD RECORD!

Simon Grimstrup has just smashed the World Record for Everesting, climbing 8,848m. He did it in a quite extraordinary 10h 45min, climbing and descending the same hill 202 times. Many of you will remember Simo...

26. April 2021

Thousands race third edition of Vietnam Trail Marathon 2021

After being postponed due to Covid-19 in January, this Saturday thousands of Vietnam-based runners from 48 nations raced from 5k to 70km on trails through the orchards and tea fields of Moc Chau. Vietnam’s top homegro...

23. March 2021

Q & A with Jasmin Paris – World Champ and Record Breaker

"ultra-races are a bit like a non-stop picnic, as long as you can keep eating, and are looking after yourself in terms of warmth and fluids, you can keep moving. "

22. February 2021

Sapa Awards Topas For Charitable Work

Since 2016, Topas Travel has worked on various charitable projects for the benefit of local communities in the Sapa area – work that has recently been formally recognised by the People’s Committee. Over the las...

25. January 2021

VMM 2020 supports 50 Child Operations

Last month, funds from Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2020 were used to support Operation Smile Vietnam to provide facial surgery for 50 children born with facial deformities. The operation mission was organised from 14 De...

25. January 2021

Soc Son Ultra Battle

VMM runner Nicholas Prince runs 40 hours in Soc Son to raise funds to support The School on the Boat. The run started at 5am on Friday 15 Jan and finished on Jan 16 – Nicholas’s birthday. The full 40 hours co...

23. December 2020

Group Everesting in Vietnam

Last weekend a group of ultra-trail runners in Hanoi completed the Everesting challenge, which requires participants to do multiple repeat climbs of the same hill until they reach 8,848m elevation – the height ...

23. December 2020

Nguyen Thuy Dung, VJM and VMM Champ

"The only secret to success, everyone knows, is training hard but to train hard requires a very high effort!"

3. December 2020

The Blue Dragon Running Club

The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation set up its run club in July and has quickly grown under the direction of Vi, the charity’s Step Ahead Leader, with the kids recently conquering their first big challenge – V...

3. December 2020

VTS Strava Club Leaders (22/11 – 28/11/2020)

Last week’s VTS Strava Club saw Nguyễn Minh Hải (Vietnam) leading both the distance and total running time boards. He ran 224.7 km in total time of nearly 21 hours. From United Kingdom, Sonny Tran scored second spot f...

3. December 2020

Vietnam Trail Series 2020 Champions Crowned

The 2020 Vietnam Trail Series champions were crowned in Sapa with Vietnamese runners coming out on top in the VTS Ultra Category. At Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2020 powered by Garmin the stage was set for a battle betw...

3. December 2020

VMM 2020 powered by Garmin Photo Contest

Here are the top 6 shots chosen chosen by the organisers from the photo contest submissions. One of these will earn A FREE SLOT at Vietnam Trail Marathon 2021 on 30/1. You can now vote for them at our fanpage here. &#...

25. November 2020

Charity from VMM 2020 powered by Garmin

Topas races have a strong charitable focus and hundreds of thousands of dollars have been donated to good causes since 2013. Up to now, Topas Vietnam Trail Series has given around US$ 300,000 to charity thanks to the ...

24. November 2020

VIETNAMESE VICTORIES IN THE MOUNTAINS OF SAPA

More than 2,200 runners raced up to 100km in Vietnam’s highest mountains at VMM 2020 Powered By Garmin this weekend. Vietnam’s top homegrown talent faced off with strong French expat competition, while celebrity runne...

18. November 2020

FRANCE AND VIETNAM FACE-OFF FOR VTS CHAMPIONSHIP

French and Vietnamese runners are set to go into battle for the overall 2020 Vietnam Trail Series Championship title. Vietnam Trail Series 2020 Champs on stage The stage is set at the grand Vietnam Trail Series...

29. October 2020

Nguyen Thi Duong tops ATM and VTS rankings

After taking second place at VJM 2020 70k this October, Nguyen Thi Duong (Vietnam) is leading the 2020/21 Asia Trail Master (ATM) Championship, making her the first Vietnamese runner ever to achieve this. With the poi...

29. October 2020

Q and A: Quang Nguyen

" Running is the simplest sport to enhance community health and bring a healthy lifestyle."

28. October 2020

Blue Dragon Charity Update – Freedom for Nga

This month Vietnam Trail Series charity beneficiary, Blue Dragon, share the story of Nga who Blue Dragon helped to free after seven years in captivity having been trafficked at the age of just 14. The last time Nga w...

27. October 2020

A RECORD BREAKING VJM

After being postponed due to Covid-19 back in May, on Saturday 24 Oct almost 1,100 runners raced distances of up to 70k at the fourth edition of Vietnam Jungle Marathon. Despite the challenges presented by Covid-19 an...

19. October 2020

VJM 2020 Race Preview

After being postponed due to Covid-19 back in May, this Saturday more than 1,100 will race up to 70km in stunning Pu Luong Nature Reserve. They include British Ambassador Gareth Ward and some of the nation’s top ultr...

23. September 2020

Blue Dragon kids train for VMM 2020 Powered by Garmin

The Topas team recently visited our charity partner Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation with Quang Nguyen, one of our trail stars, to inspire and train the young Blue Dragon team members who will join VMM 2020 Pow...

23. September 2020

Newborns Vietnam – A Year In Review

The charity Newborns Vietnam recently released an impact report on their work in 2019 – a year in which Vietnam Trail Series runners provided support through VTM and VMM. Below are some of the highlights that t...

23. September 2020

Đỗ Trọng Nhơn – VJM Champ

"With running, I only ‘get’ and do not ‘lose’ anything."

27. August 2020

Garmin Vietnam becomes VMM 2020 Presenting Partner

Having partnered with Garmin Vietnam for some years, it is with great pleasure that we now strengthen our ties with the world’s top sports watch brand to create Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2020 powered by Garmin. Three...

25. August 2020

VMM Funds 35 Child Operations

VMM has been supporting Operation Smile for many years to fund their life-changing surgeries for children from the northern province of Lao Cai, home to our ultra mountain race. Funds from Vietnam Mountain Mar...

25. August 2020

Q & A with Champion, Quang Tran

"Given a functioning body, anyone can run - running is the simplest activity and an instinct of human beings."

20. July 2020

Drowning Prevention funded by VJM

Over 2000 children drown in Vietnam every year and the latest stats show Thanh Hoa Province Thanh Hoa province, which is home of Vietnam Jungle Marathon, has higher than average drowning figures. Our VJM charity partn...

20. July 2020

Q and A with Tiểu Đường (Little Sugar), Vietnam Trail Series Ultra Champion

"Women should live for themselves more, spend more time for training, dare to be different and be brave to conquer new challenges."

17. July 2020

New bridge funded by Vietnam Trail Series

When we met with the local authorities back in June, Topas made a committment to construct a new bridge over a potentially complicated river crossing. Here is that bridge under construction and it’s current stat...

13. July 2020

Vietnam Trail Marathon 2021 is Open Now!

Join The VTM Third Edition Join us to run the trail of Moc Chau through blossom filled orchards, tea plantations and crowds of warmly welcoming Moc Chau locals! We’ve also added a new 5km distance for 2021! 5...

18. June 2020

Relay Running The Length of Vietnam

10 Vietnamese runners including well known Vietnam Trail Series runners Nong Van Chuyen and Pham Tien San are currently running Vietnam in relay style to promote the beauty of the country and raise funds for Operation...

18. June 2020

Asia Trail Girls – Inspiring Women in Asia

A new running community ‘for trail runners, by trail runners; for women, by women’, Asia Trail Girls was recently founded by our Vietnam Jungle Marathon champ Veronika Vadovičová. Asia Trail Girls (ATG) is a platform...

26. May 2020

New Topas Mountain Running Race Coming August 2020

While up at the Topas Riverside Lodge after lockdown ended, a plan was made for a new, intimate running race for around 150 people this summer. Like all lovers of the great outdoors, our Hanoi-based team was very rea...

25. May 2020

Newborns News: Saving Lives Through Clean Hands

Covid-19 has made the world aware of the importance of proper handwashing and the protection it provides from infection and nowhere is this more important than protecting the lives of newborn babies. According to Newb...

20. May 2020

Charmaine Thompson – A Multi-Talented Champion

"The main appeal of trail running is where it takes you"

28. April 2020

Lockdown Extreme Ultra: 165km INDOORS

Over in Malaysia, Japan’s Hisashi Kitamura, our Vietnam Jungle Marathon Champ, has been living in lockdown. Deprived of his ultra buzz, he took indoor running to its limit with 100miles in his garage on a 15m loop. I...

22. April 2020

Topas Organic Pumpkin Soup

This month, Topas Exec Chef Christian Milling brings you the Organic Pumpkin Soup recipe our trail runners love at the Vietnam Trail Series finish lines. Ingredients: – 1pc. Big organic garden pumpkin &#...

22. April 2020

The Home Runners

During the social distancing period, some are managing to fit in runs from 45 minutes right up to full marathons without leaving the home The rooftop marathon of Dat Nguyen was widely reported (see our article on his ...

20. April 2020

Hisashi Kitamura, 2019 Vietnam Jungle Marathon Champ

"Pain is inevitable, but suffering is your choice"

6. April 2020

The Rooftop Marathoner

Dat Nguyen was already a very individual character before Sat April 4, but on that day he placed himself in a class of his own by running a full 42km on his rooftop. The idea of running a rooftop marathon came to Dat...

31. March 2020

Book, Podcast and Film Recommendations

From the Topas Team and Our Runners David Lloyd, Topas Group, Recommends Book: Feet In The Clouds, by Richard Askwith This book is part one man’s attempt at the Bob Graham Round, part history of fell (trail/mou...

25. March 2020

15 Stunning Vietnam Landscapes

The Vietnam Trail Series by Topas gives runners the chance to run the mountains, valleys, and tea fields of Vietnam’s beautiful northern regions. Vietnam Mountain Marathon, Vietnam Jungle Marathon and Vietnam Trail Ma...

25. March 2020

Photo Contest of International Happiness Day.

Here are the top shots alongside the winning entry in the Vietnam Trail Series happiness photo competition The winner Big congratulations to Dinh Huu Toan for the happiest photo of running from from our Photo C...

25. March 2020

Nutrition with Christian – Immune Boosting Super Bowl

Welcome to our new nutrition section from Topas Executive Chef, Christian Milling. This month he brings you his Immune Boosting Super Bowl – something he thought everybody would appreciate in this time of increa...

24. March 2020

On The Front Line – Blue Dragon

Our charity partner Blue Dragon faces significant challenges during this pandemic, but their vital work must continue. In the last weeks their work has included providing homes for 21 more homeless children in Hanoi a...

24. February 2020

VTM 2020 Company Cup Winners

Two well known companies in Vietnam took the Company Cup Honours at VTM – Shopee and Hong Ngoc. At every Vietnam Trail Series race, Topas awards two company cups: one for the top performance of a club overall (...

24. February 2020

VTS supports Newborns Vietnam

Since 2017 Vietnam Trail Series has proudly supported Newborns Vietnam with more than US$63,000 – funds raised directly from runners. Here is just some of what they achieved in 2019 and why we support their great work...

21. February 2020

VMM is ATM Super Trail

This year VMM will be the Asia Trail Master (ATM) Super Trail here in Vietnam, meaning extra points are on offer. The SuperTrail label means all finishers on the two longest distance categories will receive 50 bonus ...

20. February 2020

Mastering Downhill Running

Following Jcy Ho’s recent popular article on overcoming downhill fear, Henrik Leth Jorgensen provides more tips for those hoping to improve downhill running technique Non-technical downhill intervals You might not hav...

20. February 2020

Veronika Vadovičová, 2019 Vietnam Jungle Marathon Champ

"Pain goes away, the body heals, but the feeling of getting it done and crossing the finish line is what stays forever"

16. January 2020

VTM supports Blue Dragon in 2020

At VTM we supported Blue Dragon with funds from the race – funds raised directly from runners. Here is just some of what they achieved in 2019 and why we support their great work. In 2019 Blue Dragon rescued 107 victi...

31. December 2019

2019 In Strava Club Numbers

Some members of the Vietnam Trail Series Strava Club posted some very impressive annual stats – here we take a look at the mileage and gain of some of our champs. What did you run in 2019 and what are your plans...

20. December 2019

VTM2020: Top Ten Company Teams

At Vietnam Trail Marathon 2020, there are more than 100 run clubs signed up, including many corporate run club teams who will have the chance to win our two Company Cup Challenges – the Distance Challenge Cup a...

17. December 2019

Vanja Cnops, 2019 Vietnam Trail Series Champion

"Trail runs are a unique chance to see remote natural places. "

16. December 2019

Blue Dragon charity partnership

We are proud to announce that at Vietnam Trail Marathon 2020 we will partner with Blue Dragon alongside our existing charity partners. Blue Dragon has been working in Vietnam for 15 years to end human trafficking and...

16. December 2019

Strava Club Leaders (9/12-15/12)

Last week’s Strava Club saw Run Tokyo leading both the distance and total running time boards. He ran 179.8 km in total time of nearly 25 hours. Vietnam’s own Huong Tran scored second spot for total run time with over...

9. December 2019

Strava Club Leaders (2/12 – 8/12/2019)

Last week’s Strava club saw some very impressive runs in terms of distance and gain stats. Brazil’s AdeiltonBR VS ran the most KMs with 214km, while RunningVERT Trail Runner clocked 7,689m of vertical in 7 days. In te...

5. December 2019

VMM 2019 Highlight Video

Have you seen the new Vietnam Mountain Marathon video? Check it out below and see if you can spot yourself on the trails!

4. December 2019

Strava Club Leaders (25/11-1/12/2019)

Last week’s Strava club saw some very impressive distance and gain stats. Vietnam’s own Kien Nguyen ran the most KMs with 194.2km, while in Hong Kong Leo Hui conquered the equivalent of Mount Everest with 8,857m of ve...

3. December 2019

VMM 2020 Early Bird Open For Registration

The seventh edition of Vietnam Mountain Marathon is NOW OPEN. Sign up for the nation’s original trail running festival weekend! 10k | 15k | 21k | 42k | 70k | 100k RACE: 19-20 / 09 / 2020

21. November 2019

Essential Nutrients and Minerals: Calcium

This month La Holista provide a run down on Calcium – how much you need and top plant sources to get it from. While there are numerous nutrients and minerals that everyone needs in their diet, there are some particula...

20. November 2019

Overcoming Downhill Fear

Despite winning VMM 70k and other races, Jcy Ho is not a fan of running downhill. Here she explains how she has worked with her weakness together with help from John Ellis to start addressing it. To be honest, I am st...

20. November 2019

Jcy Ho – From Last to Winner in 4 years

"Be your own inspiration! Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and we will never be the same! "

23. October 2019

Q&A with Mads Louring

"I love the solitude and being in the nature where it's quiet. It's a form of medicine for me and it takes my mind off things."

23. October 2019

To pole or not to pole?

Do you run with poles? Henrik Leth Jorgensen does….. sometimes. Here he explains what factors should be considered and also gives some advice on choosing the correct pole type. There are several things to consider be...

22. October 2019

Why do you love ultra mountain running?

"The transcendence! All the feelings you pass through to do it: happiness, excitation, solitude, the physical and psycho pain. "

9. October 2019

VMM2019 Company Cup Winners

Congratulations to team Shopee for winning the first ever VMM Company Distance Cup. The Shopee team ran more kilometers than any other company run club at VMM 2019. The Shopee team not only race together, they train t...

2. October 2019

Vietnam Trail Series 2019 Winners

The first ever Vietnam Trail Series champions were crowned in Sapa following VMM. The winners were Jakob Lundsager & Kari Lundsage (Challenge); Trịnh Nam Hải & Vanja Cnops (Marathon); and Nguyễn Tiến Hùng &...

2. October 2019

VMM2019 Charity

Around US$50k was added to our Vietnam Trail Series charity fundraising at VMM bringing the total to $250,000. VMM funds were split between local projects in Sapa, Newborns Vietnam and Operation Smile.

23. September 2019

Vietnamese runner won two consecutive VMM 100k races

The winner of the men’s 100k was Nguyen Tien Hung of Vietnam who finished in a total time of 14:33:45. Hung broke his record of last year (14:45:44) and became the first runner to win two consecutive VMM 100k races. T...

9. September 2019

How to choose the best trail running shoes

Cushioning/Cushioned With the main function is to minimize the injury, increase the responsiveness and optimize the comfort of many innovative cushioning technologies which suitable with the runner demands Traction Tr...

3. September 2019

The rise of the Vietnamese ultra runner

A recent article on Saigoneer takes a look at the rapid rise of home-grown talent here in Vietnam, a nation which until recently had no ultra trail runners but now sees the podiums filled with Vietnam’s talent. An ext...

22. August 2019

Topas Charity Tops US$250,000

The total amount raised via the Vietnam Trail Series has recently gone over US$250,000! Funds have been used for many local projects along our race courses, alongside national charities including Newborns Vietnam and ...

20. August 2019

Francesca Canepa, UTMB Champ

"I highly recommend not to follow anybody else and just stay tuned in to your own feelings and inspirations."

20. August 2019

News · Training

8 Trail Running Tips

This month multiple Vietnam Trail Series podium finisher and potential VTS 2019 Champion Quang Nguyen brings you advice on how to become a better trail runner. 1.About 80% of your running week should be easy runs. Run...

17. July 2019

Stretching for performance and injury prevention

Most runners know that stretching should be part of the recovery routine but often it’s done incorrectly, too quickly or not regularly. Flavia Breu (BSc Physiotherapy Switzerland) explains why stretching is important ...

16. July 2019

Drowning prevention

In Vietnam over 2,000 children drown every year – more than any other country in South East Asia. The drowning rate in Thanh Hoa is higher than many provinces in Vietnam. The latest statistics available from the Minis...

28. June 2019

Everesting Vietnam

Last weekend, Quang Tran, a champ of Vietnam Mountain Marathon and Vietnam Trail Marathon, did his first Everesting challenge which requires participants to do multiple repeat climbs of the same hill until they reach ...

27. June 2019

VJM supports Operation Smile

Funds from Vietnam Jungle Marathon 2019 were recently used to support the June mission of Operation Smile Vietnam which has brought smiles to about 113 patients out of 201 screened patients including 42 from Thanh Hoa...

26. June 2019

Learning from a DNF – Coming Back Stronger

On May 25 2019 Quang Nguyen stood on the podium at Vietnam Jungle Marathon – a race that last year saw him DNF. Here, he explains how he learned from that experience, adapted his training and came back a stronge...

26. June 2019

Q & A – Multiple Champion, Fredelyn Alberto

"Running helps people respect each other, no matter what their status."

3. June 2019

VMM2019 for Saturday sold out.

All VMM run only slots for Saturday are sold out. We still have a very limited number of slots including Topas Ecolodge or Sapa Hotels. Sunday’s 10k, 15k and 21k still have slots available. Book here.

29. May 2019

VJM Charity with Operation Smile

VJM2019 raised VND 317,515,000 for Operation Smile Vietnam. With this money 31 children from Thanh Hoa Province will have life changing surgery in Hanoi in June. More news of the operations will follow soon. Thank you...

29. May 2019

VJM – Battle of Champions

On Saturday 25 May runners from 46 nations raced distances up to 70km at the third edition of Vietnam Jungle Marathon. It was a magnificent day for the jungle battle of champions and also a day of triumph for less exp...

29. May 2019

Ultra Wedding Proposal

“Will you marry me?”…… “YES!” Here’s the magic moment of the VJM marriage proposal! Congratulations to the great couple again from Team Topas!

21. May 2019

VJM2019 Contenders

In the men’s 70km distance race, The winner and second place runners of VMM 100k 2018, Nguyen Tien Hung (Vietnam) and Hisashi Kitamura (Japan) will be facing off again at VJM. Hung is a hot favourite for any race he e...

21. May 2019

VTS race packs go green

Step one in our greenest ever race pack: your t shirts are NOT individually wrapped in plastic packs. Great to work with Gac Ba on this green initiative. Step two: race kit bags are made from corn starch which is biod...

23. April 2019

Topas Supports Newborns Run

Topas Team together with VMM veteran Quang Nguyen, VMM MC Thuy Dung, ‘Marathon Photographer’ Hieu Nguyen, the Running Journalist Dat Nguyen plus our partner California Fitness & Yoga Centers Vietnamhelped organise...

23. April 2019

Common training mistakes

This month David Lloyd and Henrik Leth Jorgensen join forces to bring you their list of seven common training errors. Henrik Leth Jorgensen on trails 1. Training through fatigue or injury Having signed up for an tough...

22. April 2019

Q & A with Henrik Leth Jørgensen

"Ultrarunning and adventure racing is largely a mental challenge."

22. April 2019

Q & A with Aroonnapa Panichjaroon

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1. April 2019

VJM goes 260km!

Vietnam Jungle Marathon will add the mega distance 260km trail this year. Only 26 people can enter. Registration opens APRIL 1 Register here Those who want something a little shorter can also now opt for the new 10k d...

1. April 2019

Strava Club winner announcement

The results of the March VTS Strava Club Challenge are in and the winner is from right here in Vietnam! Tran Toan clocked an incredible 646 km in the four weeks of the challenge. He wins a free entry to the Vietnam Tr...

28. March 2019

UTMB Winner to light up VMM

Arguably the world’s best ultra trail runner, 2018 UTMB champion Francesca Canepa will join the Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2019. Following her victory in the world championship of trail running, UTMB, Francesca Canepa ...

28. March 2019

Runner’s Strength training with California Fitness

Alongside run training, strength training will help you to become a better competitor and reduce the risk of injury. Here, California Fitness share some top exercises to improve your overall run fitness. Thanh Vu, one...

27. March 2019

Strava Club Challenge update

The Vietnam Trail Series Strava Club challenge will finish on March 31 with the person clocking the most KMs winning a free slot for VJM 2019, VMM 2019 or VTM 2020. We have almost 1,100 VTS Strava Club members now. Go...

26. March 2019

Newborns Vietnam at Garmin Run Hanoi by Topas

On 24 Mar 2019, Newborns had a team of neonatal medical staff including six nurses who ran their first 5 km at Garmin Run Hanoi by Topas. These nurses are studying on the new Newborns course at VNCH taught by Edinbur...

21. March 2019

New Race! VJM 10km

BIG NEWS! VJM now has a 10k! Just 200 slots, so sign up fast! 100 run only, 100 package places available now. 100 run slots at $69 100 special package slots at $169 ($20 discount) Package includes: Run + Travel to/fro...

27. February 2019

Planting season – Pu Luong

This month’s photos come from Sam Wilson who spent Tet (Lunar New Year) in Pu Luong, land of Vietnam Jungle Marathon. During February the planting of rice takes place giving this stunning area an entirely different lo...

27. February 2019

Three Top Tips for Ultra Running Success

Whether it’s 70K, 100K, 100miles or more, ultra running, ultra trails, especially those on trails and mountains, are proving hugely popular. So what do you need to know about taking part in an ultra-running? Thi...

27. February 2019

Q & A: Moritz auf der Heide

"I just loved the nature, the food and the people in Vietnam, so it is a must to come back!"

27. February 2019

Newborns Vietnam signs landmark agreement

VMM charity partner Newborns Vietnam has signed a new five-year agreement with the Hanoi Department of Health, Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital (OBGY), Vietnam National Children’s Hospital (VNCH), St Paul Hos...

27. February 2019

Strava Club Challenge

March sees the first Vietnam Trail Series Strava Club Challenge. The rules are simple: The person with the most kilometers in March wins a VTS race entry. Challenge Time: Mar 4 – Mar 31 March is a great time for...

19. February 2019

VMM continues as UTMB qualifier

Vietnam Mountain Marathon will once again be a UTMB qualifying race this year. VMM2019 runners will receive the following points: 100km = 4 points 70km = 3 points 42km = 2 points We wish you the very best of luck for ...

30. January 2019

VTM2019 ’s Results: 1,900 runners conquer trails of beautiful Moc Chau

On 19 Jan 2019 almost 1,900 runners from 39 nations, including Miss Vietnam 1994 Thu Thuy, Triple7Quest Chau Smith, musician Huy Tuan and Vietnam ‘s top ultra runners raced distances up to 70km in the first edition of...

28. January 2019

VTS Points and Rules

VTM is part of our Vietnam Trail Series together with VJM and VMM. Runners get points for these races and at the end of the year at VMM we will crown our VTS Champions in the ultra, marathon and challenge categories. ...

10. January 2019

Q&A: Chau Smith

"Be reasonable with what you think you can accomplish. Start with the shorter runs and work up to longer ones. "

9. January 2019

VTM2019 70km Men Contenders

At VTM 2019, two of Vietnam’s best ultra runners, Tran Duy Quang and Cao Ngoc Ha, will go head to head for the first time on trail since VMM 2017 when Quang became VMM 100k champion. Prior to that, Ha won the in...

25. December 2018

Butterfly river

VJM 2019 will take place at the same time of year as the first edition, in May, when the fields are full of activity during the golden harvest season and huge numbers of butterfly dance in the air! Your Shot this mont...

25. December 2018

Get Ready for Race Day

Up to four weeks before a race athletes enter the reduction phase of training load known as the taper. Here Elite Fitness explain one approach to this crucial phase of race preparation. Evidence of the efficacy of a t...

25. December 2018

Ultra Champion, Jo Meek

"A beautiful trail does not become a race without some very dedicated and organised people who are willing to put the event on. "

14. December 2018

Elite Fitness partners with VTM

We are proud to welcome Elite Fitness as Official Fitness Partner for Vietnam Trail Marathon 2019. Founded in 2010, Elite Fitness – an international standard fitness chain led by BIM Group – has opened 15 ...

11. December 2018

100 Newborns KM in Torrential Rain

Over the weekend, Danang’s Huy Doan, a VMM finisher, attempted his Kiss Ultra 200 challenge, a 200km run to raise fund for Newborns Vietnam. He started at 8am on Saturday and aimed to finish on the Sunday. About 100 r...

4. December 2018

New VMM Video launches early bird

VMM 2019 EARLY BIRD now OPEN! Join us for 10|15|21|42|70|100k. New trails added for 2019.

28. November 2018

VMM routes updated

VMM 2019 will have lots of new trail sections from CP3 to CP7 and we are very happy with the beautiful new routes we’ve set. You can look forward to more trail, more elevation, more stunning views… and more painful mu...

28. November 2018

Running Academy

With the goal of connecting runners of all levels, Running Academy offers sessions every Saturday morning from 8am to 11am at UFC GYM, 3rd Floor, Thao Dien Pearl, 12 Quoc Huong Street, District 2. At Running Academy, ...

28. November 2018

Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain)

Dr. Andres Sosa of Family Medical Practice Hanoi explains the common causes and treatment for runner’s knee, also known as patellofemoral pain. Causes The knee is a complex structure and is very sensitive. A number of...

28. November 2018

Race together

We love @watwat_edward ’s two pics showing how runners enjoy the race together. From pre-race race kit collection to completion of their trail challenge, these runners were in it together. We also love the pic of stun...

28. November 2018

Nguyen Viet Hoa Runs South East Asia

This month’s epic run comes from Nguyen Hoa Viet and is truly deserving of the title ‘epic’ as it spans five countries and will take over two months to complete. VMM veteran Nguyen Hoa Viet (Zí) is running across Sout...

28. November 2018

Get faster with Strava

Technology has made its way into running with watches that can measure many metrics. One of the most fun tools to get the most from your GPS is Strava’s segment function. Segments are stretches of road or trail on Str...

28. November 2018

Q and A: Nguyen Tien Hung, VMM 100km Champ

"Preparation and listening to your body are key for all runners, not only for running 100km but even 5km; "

27. November 2018

VTM Almost Sold Out

We are happy to announce that following some large group bookings Vietnam Trail Marathon is now almost sold out! We have a small number of number of run only slots available and a very limited number of run + hotel pa...

15. November 2018

VMM to go higher in 2019

VMM 2019 will have new sections for 100km, 70km, 42km and 21km runners. Those running 42km or more should prepare to run higher than ever before in Vietnam!

13. November 2018

VJM continues as UTMB qualifier

Vietnam Jungle Marathon will once again be a UTMB qualifying race this year. VJM2019 runners will receive the following points: 70km = 3 points 55km = 2 points 42km = 2 points 25km = 1 points We wish you the very best...

13. November 2018

UTMB points for VTM

Good news for all Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® (UTMB) points seekers – Vietnam Trail Marathon is now an official UTMB qualifying race! The points are the following: 70 Km = 3 points 42 Km = 2 points This is not just a ...

30. October 2018

Double Century

Each month we select runs (not races) from our Strava Club which are epic in terms of distance, elevation or both. This month two runners from Vietnam completed 100k sessions, with Hoang Van Dzung running 100,5 km in ...

30. October 2018

Blind runner on VMM trail

This month we have selected many VMM photos, but the story of blind runner, Hock Bee Ong, is our featured story. Here it is in his own words: “I am a blind runner, with zero light perception; but I wish to share with ...

30. October 2018

Go to the next level

Henrik Leth Jorgensen is an adventure racer and ultra runner, former Danish national orienteering team member, and coach of athletes from beginner to national team level. Here he provides tips on three areas you can i...

30. October 2018

Evelyn Lek – Rapid Rise to Ultra Victory

"The longer distance I run, it allows me to enter into that place and explore myself and explore my mind and body on actually how far I can go!"

16. October 2018

Running in the heat

Some tips on how to run in the heat by David Lloyd, Simon Grimstrup and Cao Ngoc Ha

26. September 2018

VMM18 supports Newborns and Sapa causes

Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2018 raised more than VND846.000.000 ($US36,700) directly from runners to support Newborns Vietnam and local projects around the Sapa VMM route. Thank you to all the runners who made it happen!

20. September 2018

VMM Supports Newborns Vietnam!

Funds from VMM2017 were recently used to fund the Neonatal Care and Resuscitation Training Programme in Lao Cai Obstetrics and NewbornsUnit. Funds from #VMM2018 will continue to make life-saving work possible! ...

15. September 2018

VMM2018 Ultra Distance Contenders

Ultra distances champions from around the world with be racing on the trails of Sa Pa for the title of 100km champion. Home-grown talent, Nguyen Minh Tuan, Vietnam Jungle Marathon champion, faces extremely strong comp...

30. August 2018

Q and A: Nathalie Cochet

"Running has many benefits including persistence, discipline, and determination to take new challenges."

29. August 2018

14 hour loop challenge

Each month we select runs (not races) from our Strava Club which are epic in terms of distance, elevation or both. This month, VMM2018 100k runner, Yen Vu, completed her 14 ½ hour running challenge with 100km around H...

29. August 2018

“Pho” on the trail!

One of the best things about running here in Vietnam is fueling for the run … and then re-fueling afterwards. The national dish, pho, is fantastic energy food that tastes even better after some hard kilometers. Howeve...

22. August 2018

VMM Chill

This month’s shot comes from VMM 70km runner @michiausdemerzgebirge via Instagram. We love this image as we think it sums up how a lot of people feel after finishing a very tough run! For a chance to have your photo f...

22. August 2018

Giles Lever’s 50 for 50

Each month we select a run (not a race) from within the VMM and VJM Strava Club which is epic in terms of distance, elevation or both.

22. August 2018

Going Green with Hammer Nutrition Products

At VJM we like to be green not only in colour, but also environmentally. Water at our races has always been served in 20L bottles from which runners must refill. This year we are very pleased to have our electrolyte a...

22. August 2018

Recovery Green Smoothie by La Holista

In time of nutritional depletion after a run, your system is at its most absorbent and this is the best time for getting the right nutrients in. For the perfect recovery drink, just add the following ingredients in th...

22. August 2018

Free Entry to Running Academy by CFYC

The running Academy is an open community for all runners, aiming to allow not only California Fitness & Yoga Members but also every Vietnamese person to run faster and injury free by providing expertise, experienc...

18. August 2018

The Superman Feeling at the start line

After your varied training, with lots of slow runs, some fast runs, some intervals and some long runs, tapering is the most important thing to succeed on race day and get the most out of your training. Here Simon Grim...

30. July 2018

Avoiding injury for newbies

We know that for a lot of people VMM 10k and 15k will be the first experience of racing. Therefore this month Simon Grimstrup took some time out from his guiding in Tanzania to look at how newbies can avoid running in...

29. July 2018

Tuning up for VMM

This month we feature 3 epic group running challenges from across Vietnam in preparation for VMM 2018.

29. July 2018

Q and A – Masami Nakamura

"When I become 70 years old in 2020, I’d like to try the first 70 km in my life on the trail"

27. July 2018

Stunning terraced rice fields

This month’s image comes from VMM 70km runner @paxtonvisuals via Instagram.

30. June 2018

Q&A with Tieu Phuong Nguyen

"I believe that when you prioritize something, you definitely find your time for it and for me, my priority is the sport."

30. June 2018

Training by Heart Rate – A Beginner’s Guide

Training with heart rate can be a great tool to make your training more efficient. For this month's Training Tips, our resident coach, Simon Grimstrup, explains how to use heart rate and why, for trail, it can be more...

29. June 2018

Miraculous sunrise on The Beast

This month’s image comes from VJM2018 70km runner @thuybuisvtt via Instagram. It is a #throwback to VJM2018 when runners were treated to a miraculous sunrise on The Beast peak. This is definitely a photo that sums up ...

28. June 2018

Ecopark Running by Night

Each month we select a run (not a race) from within the VMM and VJM Strava Club which is epic in terms of distance, elevation or both.

29. May 2018

Running Recipe: Homemade ‘nice cream’, by La Holista

After a long training session, we all feel like we could use a good treat. But if you are trying to get to your ideal race weight or keep your body healthy, desserts can be a slippery slope. What if I told you that yo...

29. May 2018

Q and A – Ambassador Giles Lever

"Trail running requires much stronger quad muscles than road running"

29. May 2018

Learn from experience – Speed up your progress

Many runners are now between major trail race targets with VJM behind them and VMM ahead. Therefore our resident coach, Simon Grimstrup, takes a look at how to capitalise on your experience and improve ready for the n...

28. May 2018

Son Tra Sundown

Two monster runs from our Strava Club this month - one from Vietnam, another on Tenerife.

28. May 2018

VMM long distances sold out!

While our long distance races have sold out, we still have 10km and 15km slots available. You can sign up for those here. We also have some Sapa Packages with accommodation, transport and meals available. If you’d lik...

27. May 2018

The story of a runner’s wife

This month’s image comes from VJM2018 70km runner @happilyevertravels via Instagram. We love his wife’s story behind the ultra marathon of Dayna and believe that this is also the story of many runners after the heat o...

30. March 2018

Q & A: Trang Hạ – The running writer

"When I move on my feet, the world seems to become more friendly"

29. March 2018

Vibrant VMM T-shirt colour

This month’s image comes from VMM2014/2015/2016 runner @seven.nguyen.16 via Facebook.

28. March 2018

Carb-loading done right

Get ready for race day with this wholesome rice salad by Chiara Squinzi of La Holista

22. March 2018

Training Guidelines for Success

This month’s training tips come from David Greenfield Master Trainer of California Fitness and Yoga, former national triathlete, bike fitter and much more besides.

21. March 2018

VMM Charity with Newborns Vietnam

On behalf of VMM runners yesterday Topas Travel and Newborns Vietnam presented oxygen saturation units to the Obstetrics and Newborn Unit at Lao Cai hospital. Newborns Vietnam is currently providing neonatal training ...

15. March 2018

70 Operation Smile surgeries funded

Topas Travel ‘s staff joined the mission to bring smiles to about 70 patients with Operation Smile Vietnam, organized on 12 – 16 March 2018 at Vietnam Cuba Hospital, Ha Noi. It’s the result of nearly 70 Operation Smil...

28. February 2018

Q & A – Kim Jisub, South Korea’s trail speed machine

"The trail offered a unique opportunity I’ve never experienced before"

28. February 2018

Running Recipe: Pre long run breakfast by La Holista

The best way to fuel a long run (longer than 1 hour) is to start with the right fuel in your tank. A good mix of slow release carbs (oats), fast release carbs (fruits), protein, and fats (nuts and plant-based milk) wi...

28. February 2018

New Year of The Dog

This month’s image comes from VMM2018 70km & VJM2018 42km runner @nntien via Facebook. To welcome the New Year of The Dog, he ran 16.44km to create the image of a dog to wish for a year of health, runs and races....

27. February 2018

Training Tips – Hill Training in the Flatlands

Last month we had a question from Hanoi’s Sole Sisters run group about how to train for the hills when living in a flat city like Hanoi. Here our resident coach, Simon Grimstrup, gives his top tips.

27. February 2018

Strava Art from Japan

Each month we select a run (not a race) from within the VMM and VJM Strava Club which is epic in terms of distance, elevation or both.

30. January 2018

Ha’s Hanoi back-to-back

Each month we’ll be featuring a training run (not a race!) from within the VMM and VJM Strava Club which we consider to be epic!

29. January 2018

How to Developing Trail Running Speed – Simon Grimstrup

This month our resident coach, Simon Grimstrup, gives his tips on getting faster feet on the trails

29. January 2018

Nutrition – Energy Balls

To help you fuel for the trails we have a favourite running recipe from Kim Matthews, who says: “One snack I like making are energy balls, mostly because they taste great, but also because there are endless combinatio...

28. January 2018

Q and A with Kim Matthews

"Remember to enjoy the experience, because no doubt you will meet wonderful people and be surrounded by incredible scenes that will stay with you for a lifetime!"

27. November 2017

Great news from Operation Smile!

During VMM 2017 Operation Smile‘s Huong Giang met a young H’mong boy in Sapa town who was in need of facial surgery. Topas Travel’s staff then worked with Operation Smile to bring the boy and his fam...

26. June 2017

VMBM wheelchairs presented

Great news! Today we presented 15 wheelchairs bought with funds from VMBM and Topas Travel to people who live near our race routes. We worked with the Red Cross to identify people in need. Thank you again to all the r...

14. December 2016

10 Questions with Tran Duy Quang

"VMM 100km is really tough, but very worth the effort. "

16. October 2016