Annual Turtle Rescue Mission Revisits Con Dao Island for the Fourth Time
Save Turtles Run in Con Dao: A Model of Sustainable Tourism and Sea Turtle Conservation
The picturesque island of Con Dao, off Vietnam's southern coast, is set to host the Save Turtles Run, an event that embodies the spirit of community-driven conservation efforts. Organised by AKYN Hospitality Group and The Secret Con Dao, this annual race is a key part of AKYN's strategy to integrate conservation with destination development.
The Save Turtles Run, scheduled for August 17, 2025, offers 5km, 10km, and 21km distances for participants of all ages, including children. It has garnered support from corporate sponsors like Filmore, VPBank, Onways, Searefico, Minh Long, Access Race, Traveloka, Lavie, and others in the travel and design industries.
Con Dao's mission to create connections between the community and the natural environment is evident in its focus on ecotourism, high-end resorts, and cultural-historical-spiritual tourism. The Secret Con Dao, host venue for the Save Turtles Run, is a testament to this commitment. Situated on Con Dao's central beachfront, the hotel blends contemporary design with local heritage.
The event's mission is to raise awareness about the importance of sea turtles for marine biodiversity. Con Dao National Park, in collaboration with AKYN Hospitality Group, has been implementing a comprehensive rescue and protection program since 2019. This includes activities such as relocating sea turtle nests, rescuing stranded turtles, and releasing baby turtles back into the ocean.
Last year, the race saw the rescue of a stranded green turtle at Lo Voi Beach. By saving over 13,600 nests and releasing nearly 949,000 hatchlings since 2019, and by tagging more than 2,000 mother turtles, these efforts not only safeguard Con Dao as one of Vietnam’s crucial sea turtle nesting sites but also preserve the island’s ecological health.
Local authorities and industry stakeholders view community-driven efforts like the Save Turtles Run as practical platforms for advancing responsible travel while protecting Vietnam's sensitive ecosystems. Con Dao's conservation efforts for sea turtles are bolstered by annual activities involving businesses, residents, and tourists.
In addition to its commitment to sea turtle conservation, Con Dao is taking steps to develop its spiritual tourism potential while embracing eco-friendly practices. AKYN Hospitality Group aims to build destinations that offer more than just high-quality tourism experiences, but also encourage environmental stewardship and cultural preservation. As a result, Con Dao is transforming into an environmentally responsible destination, further enhancing its status as a national tourist destination of regional and international significance.
[1] Con Dao National Park. (n.d.). Sea Turtle Conservation Program. Retrieved from https://www.condaonationalpark.vn/en/conservation/sea-turtle-conservation-program
[2] Indian Ocean-Southeast Asia Turtle Site Network. (n.d.). Con Dao. Retrieved from https://www.iosaturtles.org/sites/condao
[3] AKYN Hospitality Group. (n.d.). Save Turtles Run. Retrieved from https://www.akynhospitality.com/save-turtles-run/
- The Save Turtles Run, an annual event in Con Dao, not only promotes environmental-science by raising awareness about sea turtle conservation, but also fosters collaboration with corporate sponsors from various industries like finance, such as VPBank, and lifestyle, like Lavie.
- Beyond sea turtle conservation, AKYN Hospitality Group seeks to establish Con Dao as an environmentally-responsible destination that integrates sustainable practices, extending to the areas of sports and leisure, as they aim to build destinations that offer high-quality tourism experiences and encourage environmental stewardship.
