Global running brand XTEP and the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon have entered a five-year strategic partnership [1].
The alliance aims to develop and expand the running community within Vietnam. By combining a global athletic brand with one of the region's prominent races, the partnership seeks to increase participation and infrastructure for runners in the country.
The agreement focuses on long-term growth for the sport in Ho Chi Minh City and beyond. This strategic move follows a period of significant growth for the event, which saw 23,000 runners participate in its eighth edition on Dec. 9, 2025 [3].
XTEP athletes have already demonstrated a strong presence at the event. In that same eighth edition, XTEP athletes secured a total of 10 medals, including six gold, two silver, and two bronze [3].
The five-year term of the partnership [1] provides a stable framework for the brand to integrate its products and training resources into the local marathon circuit. The collaboration is designed to foster a more robust athletic culture in Vietnam through sustained investment and visibility.
“XTEP and the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon have signed a five-year strategic alliance.”
This partnership signals a strategic push by XTEP to capture the Southeast Asian fitness market by aligning with established local sporting events. The scale of the Techcombank marathon—evidenced by its 23,000 participants—provides the brand with a high-visibility platform to challenge established global competitors in Vietnam.
