Da Nang: Sports tourism is booming with record numbers at IRONMAN 2025!

Da Nang: Sports tourism is booming with record numbers at IRONMAN 2025!

The recently held IRONMAN competitions in Da Nang mark a significant highlight in Vietnamese sports tourism. To mark the 10th anniversary of IRONMAN's presence in Vietnam, numerous athletes gathered in this coastal city in early May 2025 to compete in various disciplines. The IRONMAN 70.3 Da Nang attracted over 3,500 athletes from 72 countries and offered exciting competitions in the triathlon distances of 21 km running, 1.9 km swimming and 90 km cycling.

In addition, the Da Nang International Marathon took place, which had over 7,000 participants this year. This represents a notable increase of almost 45% compared to last year and shows that Da Nang is becoming increasingly popular as a venue. Nearly 3,000 international athletes from 72 nations took part in the 12th edition of the marathon, representing the largest number of international athletes in the history of the event in Vietnam. Organizers aim to increase the number of participants to 20,000 by 2027.

A variety of sporting events in Da Nang

Da Nang is planning a series of national sports tournaments in 2025, including rowing, canoeing and bowling championships, as well as sailing and stand-up paddleboarding competitions. These activities are part of a strategic initiative to establish Da Nang as a hub for sports tourism, one of the industry's fastest growing sectors with an estimated market value of around US$800 billion worldwide. According to forecasts, a growth rate of 17.5% is expected for the period from 2023 to 2030.

The city hosts 15 to 20 national and international sporting events annually, which not only help promote sports tourism but also support the region's economic development. Nguyen Trong Thao, deputy director of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, highlights the successes of the IRONMAN competitions and Da Nang's role as a destination for international athletes.

An attractive travel destination

Da Nang also offers an impressive backdrop of beautiful beaches, cultural treasures and UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Hoi An, My Son and Hue. The city was recently included in the New York Times list of “52 Places to Go,” further increasing its appeal to tourists. In addition to the classic IRONMAN events, the Sunrise SPRINT Vietnam for short-distance triathletes and the IRONKIDS competition for younger sports enthusiasts are also held, strengthening the city as a family-friendly destination.

With its diverse range of events and stunning surroundings, Da Nang cements its status as a standout destination for athletes and tourists alike. Further information about upcoming events can be found on the website Vietnam.vn and IRONMAN.com to find.