Save Turtles Run returns to Con Dao for fourth year

The 2025 edition will take place on August 17, marking the fourth year of the event since its launch in 2022 by AKYN Hospitality Group and its member property, The Secret Con Dao. Blending sport with advocacy, the race reflects the organiser’s commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental responsibility, and this year offers 5km, 10km, and 21km distances for participants of all ages, including children.

Photo: AKYN Hospitality Group

A standout moment from last year’s race continues to resonate with the public. During the event, participants discovered a stranded green turtle at Lo Voi Beach and, with the help of forest rangers, returned it safely to the sea. Widely shared on social media, the incident has become a symbol of the event’s mission to create tangible connections between the community and the natural environment.

With growing recognition, the initiative has garnered support from a broad network of corporate sponsors that share a common interest in sustainability. Key backers of this year’s event include Filmore, VPBank, Onways, Searefico, Minh Long, Access Race, Traveloka, Lavie, and others in travel and design industries. The run has also attracted the attention of national and local media outlets with a strong environmental focus and a longstanding interest in Con Dao’s ecological significance.

Con Dao, located off Vietnam’s southern coast, is considered one of the country’s most biologically important regions. The island is home to vast primary forests, unspoilt beaches, and a unique marine ecosystem. It remains one of the few locations in Vietnam where sea turtles return to nest each year.

Each breeding season, hundreds of green turtles are drawn back to the island’s beaches, benefiting from ideal natural conditions such as calm waters, low light pollution, and minimal noise disturbance. In recent years, researchers have also recorded sea turtles migrating from more distant locations such as Malaysia and the Philippines to lay eggs in Con Dao, reinforcing the island’s status as a biologically intact marine sanctuary.

However, this ecological richness is increasingly under threat. Environmental experts have warned of the impact of plastic waste, uncoordinated tourism development, and insufficient public understanding of conservation values. Nesting habitats have gradually diminished, and the natural survival rate of hatchlings remains extremely low, estimated at fewer than one in 1,000.

Photo: AKYN Hospitality Group

In response, the Save Turtles Run has become a key part of AKYN Hospitality Group’s broader strategy to integrate conservation with destination development. The host venue, The Secret Con Dao, is situated on the island’s central beachfront and blends contemporary design with architectural elements that reflect local heritage. As the first hotel both owned and operated by AKYN, the property plays a strategic role in the group’s efforts to expand a portfolio of sustainable, high-end hospitality assets.

According to AKYN’s representative, its long-term vision is to build destinations that offer more than just high-quality tourism experiences, but also encourage environmental stewardship and cultural preservation. Initiatives such as the Save Turtles Run reflect this approach, connecting economic development with long-term ecological resilience.

As interest in sustainable tourism models grows across the region, local authorities and industry stakeholders see community-driven efforts like the Save Turtles Run as practical platforms for advancing responsible travel while reinforcing the protection of Vietnam’s most sensitive ecosystems.

Con Dao steers spiritual tourism towards sustainability Con Dao is taking practical steps to develop its spiritual tourism potential while embracing eco-friendly practices, with the aim of transforming the island into an environmentally responsible destination.

Con Dao to revive annual run for sea turtle conservation Conservation efforts for sea turtles in Con Dao are being bolstered by annual activities involving businesses, residents and tourists.

Con Dao leads the way in circular tourism Con Dao in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province has been designated as a national tourist destination of regional and international significance, with a priority on developing ecotourism, high-end resorts, and cultural-historical-spiritual tourism.