The "Footsteps on Clouds" competition, initiated and organized by the Vietnam Law Newspaper since 2023, has contributed to spreading beautiful images of the people and land of Northwest Vietnam over two seasons. It has also motivated those who love experiences and exploration to conquer the peaks of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. As a result, many highland villages have welcomed more tourists, local tourism has developed, and the lives of the people have gradually improved.
Following the success of previous seasons, for the 2026 season, the Organizing Committee has chosen the ancient Pavi stone road in Lai Chau province as the main race route. This is considered one of the unique and historically valuable ancient stone roads that remains relatively intact in the mountainous region of Northern Vietnam.
Race route map. Photo: Organizing Committee
The Pavi Road was built in the early 20th century to connect Lai Chau with Sa Pa . Due to the rugged terrain, many sections of the road are paved with large stone slabs, manually arranged using traditional techniques to ensure durability and year-round traffic.
Having withstood over a century of historical upheavals and harsh natural conditions, many sections of the road still retain their original structure. The ancient Pavi stone road is not only historically significant but is also considered a valuable cultural and scenic asset of Lai Chau province.
"By participating in the competition, athletes also have the opportunity to experience primeval forests, majestic mountain slopes, waterfalls, natural streams, and villages of the Mong, Dao, and Ha Nhi ethnic groups, creating a unique experiential space where the beauty of nature blends with the traditional cultural life of the local communities."
"A highlight of this year's season is that, for the first time, the Organizing Committee has expanded the scope of participation by issuing BIBs for amateur athletes nationwide," said journalist Tran Ngoc Ha, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Law Newspaper.
In addition to 100 journalists and reporters from various news agencies, the tournament will welcome a large number of professional athletes, amateur athletes, and enthusiasts of trail running.
Expanding participation not only creates more opportunities for the sports- loving community to experience the event, but also contributes to strongly spreading the image of the ancient Pavi stone road in particular and Lai Chau province in general to a wider audience.
Photo: Organizing Committee
The organizers expect each athlete to become a "media ambassador," spreading positive values about the nature, culture, and people of Lai Chau through stories, images, and real-life experiences on media platforms, social networks, and within the sports-loving community.
"This is also a modern way to promote tourism, effectively leveraging direct communication from the event participants themselves, while contributing to raising community awareness of the responsibility to preserve historical, cultural, and ecological values associated with sustainable tourism development," journalist Tran Ngoc Ha shared.
Contest date: October 4, 2026. Location: Sin Suoi Ho Commune, Lai Chau Province.
Competition details: 5 km race: Open only to athletes who are citizens residing, studying, working, or doing business in Lai Chau province. Competitions are held within a single age group and include individual men's and individual women's events.
11 km distance: Competitions are held within the same age group and include the following events: men's individual, women's individual, men's team, and women's team.
The 22 km race is for athletes who are journalists and reporters, competing in the same age group, and includes the following events: Men's individual and women's individual.
Content for teams, units, and individuals: Includes individual men, individual women, men's teams, and women's teams. Divided into 3 age groups as follows: Group I: 16-35 years old (born between 2010 and 1991); Group II: 36-45 years old ( born between 1990 and 1981); Group III: 46-60 years old (born between 1980 and 1966).
Prize structure: Prizes for journalist athletes: Individual women's prizes include: 1st prize; 2nd prize; 3rd prize and 3 consolation prizes. Individual men's prizes include: 1st prize; 2nd prize; 3rd prize and 3 consolation prizes. Prizes for teams, units and individuals: Individual prizes: 1st prize; 2nd prize; 3rd prize and 6 consolation prizes. Team prizes: 1st prize; 2nd prize; 3rd prize and 6 consolation prizes. Overall team prizes: 1st prize; 2nd prize; 3rd prize.
Prize values: Prizes for journalist athletes include cash and valuable gifts. First prize: 20 million VND; second prize: 15 million VND; third prize: 10 million VND; consolation prize: 5 million VND.
Source: https://thethao.vtv.vn/buoc-chan-tren-may-2026-vuot-thu-thach-tren-cung-duong-da-co-pavi-101261003163507408.htm
