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Con Dao Island - A unique ecosystem for sea turtles.
Located in isolation off the southern coast, Con Dao is one of the few places in Vietnam where sea turtles still return to lay their eggs naturally each year. During the breeding season, hundreds of green sea turtles return to their familiar sandy beaches to begin a new life cycle – thanks to rare natural conditions: calm seas, gentle light, and an environment almost free from noise pollution.
A panoramic view of Con Dao Island from above in the glorious sunrise.
Notably, over the past year, sea turtles from the Philippine Sea have traveled thousands of kilometers to choose Con Dao as their nesting ground, a rare phenomenon reflecting the pristine biological appeal that few places still retain. However, the conservation effort still faces many challenges: from plastic waste and illegal fishing to the pressure of tourism development that is gradually shrinking the natural nesting grounds.
Green sea turtles are laying eggs on the sand at Con Dao Island.
Running for Sea Turtles - The unwavering journey of a sustainable initiative
“Save Turtles Run” is an annual event initiated by AKYN Group and The Secret Con Dao Hotel, combining community sports and responsible tourism with the mission of contributing to the conservation of the sea turtle ecosystem in Con Dao.
Baby turtles take their first tentative steps into the open sea.
The 2025 season continues to convey the message "Every Step We Take, Miles of Green We Make" through the image of the sea turtle's life cycle depicted on the jerseys – from egg, hatching, adulthood, and returning to its starting point. With a survival rate of less than 1 in 1,000, the sea turtle's journey clearly reflects the fragility of nature and the urgent need for protective action from humans.
The life cycle of a sea turtle – a vivid image recreated on this year's jerseys.
New features for the 2025 season
This year, the Run for Sea Turtles is expanding to include a 21km semi-professional distance, in addition to the familiar 5km and 10km distances. This development marks a clear shift from a grassroots running event towards more professional organization and sustainable sports experiences in one of Vietnam's most ecologically rich destinations.
The athletes will start at dawn – from when it is still dark until the first rays of sunlight peek over the sea – promising a memorable competition journey amidst the pristine scenery of Con Dao.
The starting moment of the 2024 season.
Memorable moments and the impact from the previous season.
At the 2024 season, a stranded loggerhead turtle was discovered and rescued in time by athletes during the competition – a rare moment that became a meaningful highlight of the event's spirit. It is from these real-life experiences that the Run for Sea Turtles has gradually attracted the support of many brands that share the same values, such as Onways, Filmore, VPBank, Searefico, Access Race, Minh Long, Traveloka, Ocany, Greenland Travel, Sen Decor, Aescentic… along with media outlets and the nature-loving community.
The stranded turtle was rescued by an athlete during the 2024 season.
The Secret of Con Dao - Connecting sports, tourism & conservation
As the organizer of the race, The Secret Con Dao is located right on the central beachfront, featuring contemporary architecture harmoniously blended with heritage elements. The hotel offers a complete resort experience amidst nature and local culture, and is committed to practicing sustainable tourism.
The Secret Con Dao has been the venue for the race since its first season.
This is also the first hotel owned and operated by AKYN Hotel Group – the starting point for its strategy to develop a high-end brand with its own unique identity. With a long-term vision, AKYN pursues the goal of creating ideal destinations where every vacation is associated with sustainable experiences, responsible conservation, and enhancing the value of Vietnamese tourism.
FOLLOW AND BOOK YOUR TICKETS FOR THE “SAVE TURTLES RUN 2025” AT:
Facebook: Save Turtles Run
