Images of Hue Through Five Seasons of VnExpress Marathon Medals

From royal court dances and historic landmarks to the symbolic phoenix and parasol tree, the medals of the VnExpress Marathon Hue over five seasons have captured different facets of the former imperial capital.

Across five editions of the race, each medal design has selected a distinct cultural symbol to portray Hue – ranging from royal art and architectural heritage to iconic imagery associated with the Nguyen Dynasty. Together, these medals form a visual narrative that reflects not only the identity of Hue but also the evolving storytelling approach of the marathon itself.

Beyond being a reward for athletic achievement, each medal serves as a cultural artifact, allowing runners to carry home a piece of Hue’s history, aesthetics, and spirit. The designs demonstrate how sports events can integrate local heritage into meaningful souvenirs, turning a simple finisher medal into a storytelling medium.

Images of Hue in 5 VnExpress Marathon Medals

2020: Royal Court Dance

The inaugural race in 2020 opened its story of Hue through inspiration drawn from the Royal Court Fan Dance, a well-known performance art of the Nguyen Dynasty.

The image of an unfolding fan was incorporated into the medal design, evoking a sense of softness, elegance, and nostalgia associated with imperial culture. This choice reflected not only the artistic refinement of Hue’s royal traditions but also the grace and rhythm embedded in Vietnamese heritage.

Alongside the fan motif, familiar landmarks such as Thien Mu Pagoda (Heavenly Lady Pagoda), the Imperial Citadel, and Quoc Hoc High School were featured. These elements highlighted the historical depth of the city, portraying Hue as a heritage-rich urban space where architecture and art intertwine to form a unique identity.

This first medal set the tone for subsequent years: each design would not merely decorate but narrate, offering runners a visual introduction to Hue’s cultural legacy.

2022: Historic Landmarks

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the marathon returned in 2022 with a design centered on iconic landmarks.

Key sites such as Hien Nhon Gate, Thien Mu Pagoda, and Trang Tien Bridge were artistically integrated into the medal. These locations are deeply connected to the development and identity of Hue and are also familiar sights along the race route through the city’s central area.

For runners, this design created a strong connection between the physical race experience and the symbolic representation on the medal. As participants passed these landmarks during the run, they were simultaneously “collecting” them in memory – later reflected in the medal they received at the finish line.

This season emphasized Hue as a living city, where history is not confined to museums but exists vividly in everyday spaces.

2023: Imperial Tokens of the Nguyen Dynasty

While the earlier medals focused on places, the 2023 design delved deeper into the cultural and ceremonial aspects of the imperial court.

The medal drew inspiration from imperial tokens such as gold plaques and ceremonial badges, which historically symbolized honor, authority, and royal recognition in the Nguyen Dynasty.

Symbols of Hue, including Ngo Mon Gate’s Five Phoenix Pavilion and Phuoc Duyen Tower, were combined with cloud motifs commonly found in royal decorative art. The imagery of frangipani flowers blooming beside moss-covered walls added a poetic touch, reminiscent of Hue’s tranquil spring atmosphere.

This approach recreated the ambiance of an ancient imperial capital, where cultural imprints continue to exist in modern life. It also marked a shift toward storytelling that emphasizes intangible heritage, rituals, symbolism, and aesthetic philosophy, rather than just physical landmarks.

VnExpress Marathon Hue Medals in 2023

2024: Imperial Architecture and Fine Arts

In 2024, the narrative expanded further to explore architectural perspectives.

The medal design was inspired by the Imperial City (The Citadel), a complex that embodies the pinnacle of Nguyen Dynasty architecture and artistry. Decorative elements such as screen walls, commonly seen in Hue’s traditional garden houses, and paired ceremonial tablets were incorporated.

These details evoked the solemn and dignified atmosphere of the former capital. Rather than highlighting individual landmarks, the design presented Hue as a cohesive architectural space, where various heritage elements are interconnected within a unified whole.

This broader perspective allowed runners to appreciate Hue not just as a collection of sites but as a harmonious cultural landscape shaped by history, philosophy, and design principles.

VnExpress Marathon Hue Medals in 2024 and 2025

2025: The Legend of the Phoenix and the Parasol Tree

The 2025 medal attracted significant attention within the running community for its strong cultural symbolism.

The central imagery featured a phoenix paired with the parasol tree (Firmiana simplex) inside the Imperial City. In East Asian culture, the parasol tree is considered sacred, often blooming in late spring with elegant pink-purple flowers that enhance the beauty of the royal grounds.

Traditionally, the phoenix, a symbol of prosperity, nobility, and good fortune, is believed to rest only on the parasol tree. This association represents harmony, virtue, and imperial power.

By incorporating these elements, the 2025 medal conveyed not just visual beauty but also philosophical meaning rooted in cultural beliefs. It connected runners to a deeper narrative about Hue’s identity as a center of royal symbolism and spiritual values.

The design continued the tradition of embedding local cultural icons into the medals, reinforcing their role as both commemorative items and cultural ambassadors.

A Journey Through Five Seasons

Looking back at five seasons, each medal can be seen as a “slice” of Hue, capturing different aspects of the former imperial capital. From royal dances and architectural heritage to symbolic motifs, the designs collectively form a layered portrait of the city.

According to the organizers, the goal has always been to incorporate familiar cultural symbols so that runners not only take home a memory of the race but also carry the spirit of Hue with them.

This approach has helped distinguish the VnExpress Marathon Hue from other races. Instead of generic medal designs, it offers a culturally immersive experience where sport meets storytelling.

Looking Ahead

From royal court art to cultural symbols, runners now look forward to how the 2026 medal will present a new perspective on Hue. There is growing anticipation that future designs will continue to explore untold stories of the city, further enriching the connection between athletes and the destination.

As the marathon continues to take place along the poetic Perfume River, each finisher medal becomes more than a reward—it becomes a collectible chapter in an ongoing story about Hue, its heritage, and its enduring charm.