From Green Pedals to a Journey of Community Connection

Three activities, one shared momentum

Organized for the first time as Vietnam marked the 81st National Day anniversary and Saigontourist Group celebrated 51 years of development, the festival brought together three activities with distinct characters but one connecting theme: the Saigontourist Group Audax 600 km ultra-endurance challenge, the community cycling parade and the Saigontourist Group Cycling Cup for the Community 2026.

On the morning of August 30, more than 1,000 participants from different generations, clubs and communities cycled approximately 5.1 km through central Ho Chi Minh City. The long stream of bicycles across the urban core created a lively image of a dynamic, open and friendly city. Later that morning, 350 cyclists competed on the Rung Sac - Duyen Hai route in Can Gio, where the pace of sport met the distinctive green landscape of the coastal ecological area.

A day earlier, at 4:00 a.m. on August 29, 150 Vietnamese and international riders departed from Lam Son Square for the Audax 600 km challenge. Within the 41-hour time limit, 108 riders completed the full distance, a completion rate of more than 70%. Pham Van Truoc led the earliest finishers with a time of 10 hours 24 minutes. Le Thi Huu Danh was the first female rider to complete the challenge, finishing in 17 hours 09 minutes and placing among the first 25 finishers.

Cycling opens a new way to experience destinations

The Audax 600 km stood out not only for distance and endurance. Its route was designed as a journey of discovery through coastlines, fishing villages, rubber forests, reservoirs, urban areas and historical and cultural sites including Vung Tau, Minh Dam, Loc An - the “No-number Ship” wharf, Ho Tram, Binh Chau, Dau Tieng Reservoir, Cu Chi Tunnels and Lang Le - Bau Co. Each stage therefore became both a physical test and a window into the landscapes, communities and changing development space of Southeast Vietnam within Ho Chi Minh City’s new geographic context.

The Cup race in Can Gio extended the same connection between sport and destination. The Rung Sac - Duyen Hai course placed riders in an environment rich in ecological character while offering another opportunity to present Can Gio as a destination for nature-based travel, experiences and leisure. An online photo archive on Saigontourist Group’s official website, indexed by race numbers, also allowed athletes to find and share their images, extending the festival’s visibility in the digital space after the races had ended.

Across August 29-30, 2026, the festival recorded more than 1,500 participations in three activities. More than 1,000 people joined the 5.1 km community cycling parade through central Ho Chi Minh City; 150 riders registered for the Audax 600 km challenge and 108 completed it; and 350 athletes competed in Can Gio. Beyond sport, organizers presented 51 bicycles and Mid-Autumn Festival gifts to students and children facing difficult circumstances in Can Gio and other city localities, extending the event’s community impact.

For the community, beyond the finish line

The “For the Community” spirit went beyond the event’s name. As part of the program, 51 bicycles and Mid-Autumn Festival gifts were presented to students and children facing difficult circumstances in Can Gio and other localities of the city. This social dimension helped the festival move beyond a sporting competition, bringing physical activity, tourism and community responsibility together within one integrated event concept.

At the closing ceremony, Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Members’ Council of Saigontourist Group and Head of the Festival Steering Committee, highlighted the beauty of “people cycling together,” noting that bicycles can not only take people farther but also bring them closer together. Ngo Quang Vinh, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Cycling and Motor Sports Federation, also regarded the festival as a foundation for further expanding the city’s cycling movement among the community.

With more than 1,500 participations in its inaugural edition, the festival points to a promising direction: sport can become a catalyst for green tourism, destination discovery and social connection. When every pedal stroke carries health, experience and sharing, the value of the event does not end at the finish line. It can continue through everyday urban life and through a broader journey toward responsible, community-oriented tourism.

LIST OF PRIZE-WINNING ATHLETES

Saigontourist Group Cycling Cup for the Community 2026