CÔN ĐẢO – THE HIDDEN GEM OF VITALITY
Located off the southern coast of Vietnam, Côn Đảo is often described as a hidden gem – a place where history, unspoiled beauty, and rich ecosystems converge. It is also among the very few sites in Vietnam where sea turtles still return to nest each year, a rare and precious phenomenon. With its vision for sustainable tourism, Côn Đảo is steadily carving out its place on the international travel map as a responsible destination that inspires all who love nature.
It was from this foundation that the “Save Turtles Run” was born in 2022 – a unique bridge between sport and conservation. What began as a community initiative led by The Secret Côn Đảo hotel has since grown into a celebrated annual event, attracting hundreds of runners and partners, expanding in scale, and raising the bar in professionalism with every season.
HIGHLIGHTS OF A DEFINING SEASON
The 2025 edition marked a new milestone with the introduction of the half marathon (21km), giving runners the chance to embrace Côn Đảo’s beauty in its entirety – from historical relics along the course to the island’s awe-inspiring natural landscapes.
In the week leading up to the event, the island had been drenched in heavy rain and strong winds. Yet on the morning of August 17, the skies cleared, and a brilliant sunrise emerged – as if nature itself was blessing the 500 runners who gathered at dawn with a shared purpose: to run for the sea turtles.
Along the route, stories of courage and resilience unfolded: the lightning-fast stride of Japanese runner Kento Kabashima, who claimed the 21km title in 01:19:29, following his victory in the 10km last year; the unwavering determination of Nguyễn Quang Hùng, a para-athlete who propelled his wheelchair across the full 21km in 02:27:11; and the grit of cosplayer Trường Ngô, who battled through a knee injury to reach the finish line just minutes before the cut-off.
Japanese runner Kento Kabashima
But the race was more than individual triumphs. It was families and fathers running side by side with their children, and the joyful laughter of little ones playing with the turtle mascot. The crescendo came when a sudden downpour swept across the course just as the final runners reached the finish line. The rain washed away fatigue, leaving behind scenes of pure elation: couples holding hands as they crossed in the rain, and soldier Tiêu Văn Phúc standing tall with the red flag emblazoned with a golden star – a moment of pride and poetry.
RUNNING FOR A GREENER FUTURE
Tại lễ bế mạc, Ban Tổ Chức đã trao khoản đóng góp 100 triệu đồng cho Vườn Quốc gia Côn At the closing ceremony, the Organizing Committee presented a donation of 100 million VND to the Côn Đảo National Park to directly support sea turtle conservation and ecosystem protection.
Ms. Lê Thị Ngọc Cương – Group Director of Sales & Marketing at AKYN Hospitality, and Head of the Organizing Committee – shared:
“Save Turtles Run is more than just a race. It is a gathering for the community, built on one of our core values: creating sustainable impact wherever AKYN is present. We believe the beauty of Vietnam – and Côn Đảo in particular – deserves to be shared with the world. This race is an opportunity for those who love sports and nature to come together, take action, and contribute to preserving precious species while building a greener, more sustainable Côn Đảo.”
The success of the race was made possible thanks to the support of our main sponsors ONWAYS and FILMORE, along with partners including Searefico, VPBank, Minh Long, Greenland Travel, Sen Décor, Ocany, SIAM Thailand, Access Race, Bold Wolf, Traveloka, Aescentic, nanoHome, and media partners such as P2P, Oriental Media Vietnam, Men&Life, WOW Weekend, Navigator, Travellive, Vetter, and more. Their contribution provided vital resources and amplified the message of conservation far beyond the island.
A JOURNEY THAT CONTINUES
Though it lasted only a few hours, Save Turtles Run 2025 left a lasting impression — inspiring every runner who took part.
This journey continues to uphold its core values while reaching further with a spirit of learning and a desire for growth. We believe that every stride goes beyond the finish line — it carries a message that resonates within the community, connecting us to nature, to the sea turtles, and to the timeless heritage of a greener Côn Đảo.
