Over 800 Vietnamese, int’l athletes compete in Ly Son sea swimming race

During the national-level sporting event, the athletes, including 40 international participants from 20 countries, competed in three distances: 1km, 2km and 5km.

The highlight of the event was the demanding 5km open-water course stretching from To Vo Gate, an iconic stone arch on Lon (Big) Island, to Be (Small) Island.

Widely regarded as the race’s toughest challenge, the course required swimmers to navigate open-sea conditions and ocean swells before reaching one of Ly Son’s most scenic destinations.

More than 400 athletes set off from Big Island early in the morning toward Small Island.

Meanwhile, hundreds of other participants competed in the 1km and 2km races held near the beachfront of Small Island.

Organizers said favorable weather conditions, calm seas, and clear blue waters created ideal circumstances for the competition.

Along the course, local residents and tourists gathered to cheer on participants and provide encouragement throughout the race.

To ensure safety, organizers and authorities implemented extensive logistics, medical support, and rescue plans several days before the event.

Dozens of vessels and support teams were deployed along the swimming routes.

Nguyen Van Huy, chairman of the Ly Son Special Zone administration, said the event has become one of Vietnam’s most attractive sea sports competitions, while promoting the natural beauty, culture, and people of Ly Son to visitors from the country and around the world.

In the men’s 5km event, Hoang Van Hai claimed first place with a time of 64 minutes. Le Thi Nhu Huynh won the women’s 5km title.

In the 2km race, Vo Tri Trung finished first in the men’s category in 33 minutes, while Ton Nu My Ngoc topped the women’s division in 45 minutes.

Luong Ngoc Duy won the men’s 1km race in 23 minutes, while Tran Thi Mai Phuong captured the women’s title after 24 minutes of competition.

Local authorities said major sporting events such as the Ly Son Cross Island swimming race are helping raise the profile of Ly Son among both domestic and international travelers.

According to recently released data from digital travel platform Agoda, Ly Son recorded the highest growth in travel-related searches among Vietnam’s emerging destinations during the 2026 summer tourism season.

The island topped the list of destinations attracting growing interest from Vietnamese travelers thanks to its unspoiled coastal scenery, coral reef ecosystems, distinctive volcanic landscapes, and unique tourism experiences.

Travel trends indicate that tourists are increasingly seeking destinations that offer nature, local culture, and less crowded environments compared with traditional tourism hubs.

Marine sporting events such as open-water swimming, marathons, beach volleyball tournaments, and sailing races are drawing not only athletes but also tourists and travel companies eager to explore the island.

Local authorities see marine sports as a sustainable path to build Ly Son’s brand as an 'experiential tourism island.'