26–27 Dec 2026 · Through the primeval forest of Cúc Phương, across 3 provinces — run to conquer, run to conserve.
In 1962, Cúc Phương became Vietnam's first national park. For over six decades, this 22,000-hectare forest — three quarters of it limestone mountains millions of years old — has led the country in biodiversity conservation. Running in Cúc Phương is not just a race: it is stepping into the cradle of Vietnam's ancient forests.
A multi-layered canopy, green all year round — rare, pristine fresh air.
Chò xanh trees up to 5m around and 40–50m tall — too vast for many arms to embrace.
One of Vietnam's 7 centres of plant diversity; a dazzling butterfly season in late spring.
Cúc Phương is classic karst terrain: sharp cat-ear rock, tangled roots, damp slippery trails. A course that demands real forest skill — where grit and sure feet are truly forged.
Cúc Phương is home to some of Vietnam's leading rescue centres. Part of your BIB fee helps sustain that quiet, vital work.
Delacour's langurs, grey-shanked doucs and more — rescued and released back to the wild.
Vietnam's only dedicated turtle conservation centre.
Traces of humans from over 7,000 years ago — the sediment of time.
Around and within Cúc Phương lie Mường hamlets such as Bản Khanh and Hồ Mạc — where the Mường community has kept stilt houses, gong music and a forest-attuned way of life for hundreds of years. Running through here, you run through a whole cultural realm.
In late December, the Cúc Phương forest turns crisp and cool, with morning mist — ideal weather for a long trail. And finishing right at Christmas, you step into a warm, festive atmosphere found nowhere else.
The year-end forest turns cool and misty — a spellbinding scene.
Finish right at Christmas — a festive season deep in the ancient forest.
A warm recovery feast to welcome you across the line.
A specialty found only here — crunchy, sweet, with a hint of herbs.
Crisp and nutty, eaten with the famous mountain goat.
Firm goat meat from the limestone hills, bamboo-tube rice, Mường cần wine.
The biggest change this season is the timing of entering the forest — quite unlike previous years. At year's end, Cúc Phương turns dry, cold and cool; the forest sheds its leaves in vivid colour, taking on a rare "temperate" beauty seldom seen in Vietnam. The dry, cold air also greatly reduces wet-season insects like leeches and mosquitoes — a far more pleasant forest run. Along with that, the 42KM & 25KM go deeper into the forest. The 42KM in particular is a reward for nature lovers — for the first time crossing the forest with a wonderfully intriguing start: the entrance at Thôn Nghéo suspension bridge.
| Distance | Regular | NOON price (on sale) | Start & COT |
|---|---|---|---|
| FUN 10KM | 1,400,000 | 1,232,000đ | Start 10:00 · 27 Dec · COT 20:00 |
| JUNGLE 25KM | 2,400,000 | 2,112,000đ | Start 09:00 · 27 Dec · COT 20:00 |
| JUNGLE 42KM | 3,200,000 | 2,816,000đ | Start 07:00 · 27 Dec (bus to Nghéo) · COT 20:00 |
| JUNGLE 75KM | 3,900,000 | 3,432,000đ | Start 22:00 · 26 Dec · COT 20:00 (27 Dec) |
| ULTRA 100KM | 4,500,000 | 3,960,000đ | Start 18:00 · 26 Dec · COT 20:00 (27 Dec) |
Full race-kit, electronic chip timing.
Finisher medal; finisher shirt for 42/75/100KM.
Result certificate + digital booklet.
Includes entry to Cúc Phương National Park.
Water, food, aid stations, cooldown area.
1–2 day insurance + a portion supporting the conservation fund.
To the feet about to touch the Cúc Phương forest,
Some forests are not merely to pass through. Cúc Phương is one of them.
Sixty years ago, when Vietnam chose this place as its first national park, it did not merely fence off a forest — it planted a promise: that green lungs would be kept whole for our children. Today, in a country changing by the day, the thousand-year giants of Cúc Phương still stand there, quietly breathing for us all.
But a forest cannot protect itself. Each season, the rescue centres within it still take in langurs and turtles seized from poachers — caring for them, healing them, then returning them to where they belong. It is quiet, patient work, and it needs many hands.
Race Jungle was born to run through Vietnam's most beautiful landscapes — but we believe that beauty only matters if it is preserved. So every Cúc Phương Jungle Paths BIB is not just a race ticket. A part of it goes to support the forest's conservation work — so that next season, and many seasons after, there will still be forest to run.
As you run through the night beneath ancient trees, as your headlamp sweeps trunks our ancestors once gazed upon, remember: you do not run alone. You run alongside the thousands of species living on this forest, and alongside all who have given their lives to keep it green.
Run to conquer. And run to keep a green lung alive for Vietnam.
See you at the start line.
Đặng Đức — Founder, Race Jungle
The BIB price already includes national-park entry and a contribution to the conservation fund. The 42KM BIB includes the shuttle-bus fee to the Thôn Nghéo start.
The 10KM is the only distance for children, and must be accompanied by an adult.
Runners register or edit their details at runner.racejungle.com; you can also transfer your bib to someone else there. Best done at least 30 days ahead to ensure shirt size.
Yes — send a request at least 30 days before race day to support@racejungle.com.
A trail through the primeval Cúc Phương forest on cat-ear karst, across 3 provinces — Ninh Bình, Thanh Hóa, Phú Thọ — with centuries-old giant trees. In 2026 the 42 & 25KM go deeper into the forest.
Run to conquer — run to conserve.
Register & buy now →