How to Get Cheaper Trail Race Entries in Vietnam

The cheapest way to get a trail race entry in Vietnam is to sign up early, in the Super Early Bird or Early Bird tier, because most races raise their prices step by step. To get extra discounts on top of the early bird, join trail communities such as Trail Station or adidas Runners Saigon, sign up as a member at running shops such as Activ Store, and follow the deadlines page so you never miss a price rise.

Quick summary

• Prices rise in tiers: Super Early Bird → Early Bird → Regular → Late.
• Pick your race early and register in the first tier.
• Join groups and communities: early news, sometimes member discount codes, shared transport.
• Follow the deadlines page and add the race calendar to your phone.
• Read the refund and transfer rules before you pay.
• Sold out? Look for a bib transfer, but only through the organiser's official process.

How do trail race prices rise?

Most trail races in Vietnam sell entries in time-based tiers: the closer to race day, the higher the price. On the Chạy Địa Hình deadlines page (October 2026), the usual tiers are Super Early Bird, Early Bird, Regular, Late and sometimes Super Late. For example, Vung Tau City Trail moved from Early Bird to Regular on 19 October 2026, and Măng Đen LaLa Trail moves from Super Early Bird to Early Bird on 1 November 2026.

The gap between tiers is set by each organiser, so there is no universal figure. What is certain: the first tier is always the cheapest, and some races sell out before the price tiers even run out. As I write this, the Vietnam Jungle Marathon is already marked "sold out". How each tier differs (refunds, transfers, distance changes) is covered in Trail race entry tiers: Early Bird to Late, explained; this guide is about paying less.

What does a trail race entry usually include?

When you compare two races, compare what comes with the entry. For example, the Vietnam Trail Series terms (VMM, VJM, VTM) list a bib, a race shirt, a finisher medal, a charity donation (21 km and up), shuttles as scheduled, water and fruit at aid stations, and entrance fees where applicable. A cheaper race where you arrange your own transport to the mountain can end up costing more.

Why join a trail running group or community?

Anyone can buy an early bird. The extras usually come from the community:

• Early news. Opening dates, price rises and remaining slots are often shared in groups before you would spot them online.
• Member discount codes. In the experience of many runners, clubs and shops that partner with a race sometimes get codes for their members, on top of the early bird price. Each race sets its own amounts and conditions, so ask the group admin.
• Shared travel and rooms. Transport and accommodation often cost more than the entry; going as a group is much cheaper.
• Training together. You reach the start line with legs already used to climbing.

Trail Station (Ho Chi Minh City area)

Trail Station describes itself as "a space connecting trail running enthusiasts": the Trail Bus (shuttles taking runners to Núi Chứa Chan and Núi Dinh), weekend training sessions at Núi Dinh, Chứa Chan, Bà Đen and Thị Vải, a Zalo group and a Facebook page. Its home page features the Dinh Harvest events, including Dinh Harvest Flowers.

Since December 2025, Trail Station has run a points system, TSA POINTS+: you earn points for racing, riding the Trail Bus, volunteering or joining workshops. The published benefits include priority registration for races and buses, priority workshop and training slots, and tier-specific perks. Points cannot be exchanged for cash. If you run in the south, see also trail running spots near Ho Chi Minh City.

adidas Runners Saigon (AR Saigon)

Tuổi Trẻ News describes AR Saigon as one of Ho Chi Minh City's most active running communities. Since May 2026 its home base is the adidas Sala Running Store at 72 Nguyễn Cơ Thạch, which will host weekly training sessions and community events. It is mainly a road running community, but every trail runner needs speed sessions, and it is a good place to hear about races, programmes and deals.

Activ Store and other running shops

Activ Store has shops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Sign up as a member with your email and you get a 100,000 VND code (about USD 4) for a first order above 1,000,000 VND, for gear rather than race entries. The bigger benefit is being in the loop: follow the fan pages and groups of running shops, because when a shop partners with a race, any entry discount code tends to be shared there first.

In another city? Ask at your nearest running shop and local running clubs: almost everywhere has a Zalo or Facebook group where runners team up to register.

Track deadlines so you never miss a price tier

Money lost to a missed price tier is the most avoidable kind. Three ways to avoid it:

1. Open the deadlines page: it lists races about to raise prices or close registration, updated daily.
2. Add the trail race calendar to your phone: subscribe once and new races appear in your calendar automatically.
3. Set a reminder 2–3 days before the price rise of the race you are targeting, so you have time to rally friends and ask about group codes.

Not sure which race yet? Filter the race list by region, month and distance.

Before you hit "pay": 5 things to check

Early bird entries are cheap, but you usually pay months ahead. Read the rules carefully, especially these points. Using the Vietnam Trail Series terms (the series that includes the Vietnam Mountain Marathon) as an example:

1. Refunds. Full refund minus a 1,250,000 VND (about USD 50) admin fee if you cancel 3 months or more ahead; 50% between 90 and 30 days before the race; nothing in the last 30 days or if you do not show up.
2. Transfers. Free until 30 days before the race, through the link sent with your registration confirmation email.
3. Distance changes. A 500,000 VND (about USD 20) fee plus the price difference when moving up; no refund when moving down.
4. Entry requirements. Some long distances require a previous finish or a medical certificate. Check before you pay, not after.
5. What is included. Shuttles, shirt, bag drop.

Every race has its own policy; the figures above apply only to the Vietnam Trail Series.

Sold out? What now

There is still a way in: the Chạy Địa Hình bib transfer page lets runners post or look for bibs for free. Two rules:

• Only take a bib through the organiser's official transfer process, so the name, insurance and medical details on the bib are yours.
• Never pay a stranger upfront before you see the organiser's transfer confirmation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a refund on a trail race entry?

It depends on the race. Some refund part of the fee if you cancel early (the Vietnam Trail Series refunds 50% between 90 and 30 days out, for example), while many only allow transfers. Read the rules before paying.

Where can I find discount codes for trail races?

In running groups and communities (Trail Station, local clubs), on the fan pages of running shops that partner with the race, and on the organiser's own page. Not every race has codes, so do not wait for one and miss the early bird.

Read more

• What is trail running? A beginner's guide
• Trail race entry tiers explained
• Where to buy trail running shoes in Vietnam
• Shops and useful links for trail runners

Sources: Trail Station, Trail Station: TSA POINTS+, Trail Station: about, Tuoi Tre News: adidas Sala Running Store and AR Saigon, Activ Store, Vietnam Trail Series: terms, Chạy Địa Hình: deadlines. Updated October 2026.