Trail Running - Vietnam - 2026 to 2027
Where endurance
meets culture
Documenting Vietnam's trail running community in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Da lat. Through field research, storytelling, sport and body psychology — in connection with the 2027 UTMB Highlands Trail, Vietnam.
A once-in-a-generation
moment
The Project
Vietnam is one of the most dynamic emerging trail running environments in Southeast Asia. The arrival of the UTMB World Series marks a cultural turning point — bringing global attention to a community that has been building quietly and passionately for years.
This project documents that moment from the inside. Combining academic field research with reflective storytelling and photography, it explores how community, belonging, and environmental connection shape why Vietnamese runners run — and keep running.
The research forms the empirical core of an MSc thesis in Sport and Body Psychology at the University of East London, grounding every story in a rigorous and human-centred framework.
Jan 2027
UTMB World Series Vietnam
Vietnam Highlands Trail, Da Lạt — the moment that puts Vietnamese trail culture on the global map.
Since 2022
Movement, Nature, Purpose
Exploring the intersection of movement, culture, and human potential across borders.
MSc
University of East London
Rigorous academic grounding in Sport and Body Psychology behind every story told.
About
Runner. Researcher. Storyteller
Based between Cologne and the Siebengebirge, Germany, Ingo Steffgen brings an international management background and a decade in the IT sector together with postgraduate research in sport and body psychology.
"As a long-distance and trail runner himself, endurance sport is both personal practice and academic inquiry."
As an international researcher and trail runner, Ingo occupies a unique position between Vietnamese and European endurance communities — helping communicate and contextualize Vietnamese trail running culture for international audiences at a moment when global attention is turning toward the region.
Lozania Lifestyle is his sport and lifestyle platform — built on the belief that movement, culture, and human potential are worth exploring seriously, and telling honestly.
The Research
How it works
Narrative Interviews
A qualitative field study with 8–10 Vietnamese trail runners, combining three complementary methods to build a full picture of what motivates endurance sport participation in a Vietnamese context.
Semi-structured conversations of 60–90 minutes, inviting participants to describe their journey into trail running and the role of community, environment, and cultural identity.
Photo Elicitation
Participants share photographs from their trail runs that feel personally meaningful — generating both research material and an authentic body of imagery from within the community.
Field Documentation
Written observations and environmental photography throughout the research period, capturing the texture of community life around the trails and the event itself.
Timeline
The journey
Aug - Oct 2026
Research design, ethical approval, and participant recruitment preparation.
Nov 2026
Fieldwork commences in Vietnam — community immersion, initial interviews, photography.
Jan 2027
Vietnam Highlands Trail (UTMB World Series) — event participation and documentation.
Feb - Apr 2027
Data analysis, thesis write-up, and storytelling outputs published.
Coming soon
Stories from the field
Blog - Field Reports
From the trail communities of Vietnam in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Da lat from from Nov 2026
Field reports, photography, and video documentation from the trails of Vietnam will be published here as the project unfolds from November 2026.
Video - Community Portraits
Short documentary story telling from Jan 2027
Pictures - Photo Elicitation
Images from the runners themselves
Get in touch
Let's explore what's possible
If you're a brand, fellow researcher, or simply curious about the project — reach out. Partnerships, collaborations, and conversations are all welcome.