Vietnam Highlands Trail by UTMB® takes runners through the diverse landscapes of Da Lat and Lam Dong in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, a region shaped by sacred mountains, layered ecosystems, and rich cultural identity.
The event is held under the patronage of the Vietnam People's Public Security Sports Association and the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, and is co-organized and delivered by Nexus Sport Events.
In Da Lat (Lam Dong), the Highlands unfold across four iconic peaks: LangBiang, Elephant Mountain, Pinhatt, and Bidoup. Each mountain represents a distinct terrain and ecosystem, from open ridgelines and pine forests to old-growth and primary forests, while carrying its own stories of people, history, and coexistence with nature.
The race distances are designed around these four mountains, guiding runners through layered experiences across lakeside trails, pine forests, jungle sections, mountain ridges, and higher elevations. Rather than changing only at the finish line, the journey evolves continuously throughout the course as terrain, climate, and vegetation shift with every step.
The Highlands are also shaped by convergence - between long-established indigenous communities and generations of settlers from across Vietnam, between Eastern traditions and architectural influences from the French colonial era, and between dense tropical forests at lower elevations and cool temperate landscapes above.
The 5K and 10K courses offer an accessible introduction to trail running, featuring runnable terrain around Xuan Huong and Tuyen Lam with gentle elevation and scenic forest sections.
The 20K Pinhatt course introduces runners to steeper climbs and panoramic ridgelines, delivering a more mountainous and technical trail experience.
The 50K Elephant Mountain course takes runners deeper into the wild landscapes of Lam Dong, combining long climbs, changing weather, forest.
