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Athletes swim from To Vo Gate on Big Island to Small Island. |
The event was one of the highlights of the locality’s cultural and sports program 2026 to promote local tourism and showcase Ly Son’s island attractions.
This year’s tournament featured professional and amateur swimmers across Vietnam, along with 40 international athletes from 20 countries. They belong to different age groups with the oldest athlete born in 1953 and the youngest born in 2017.
Athletes competed in 1 km, 2 km, and 5 km races. The signature 5 km course started at To Vo Gate on Big Island and crossed the sea to Small Island (also known as An Binh Islet), while the shorter distances were held around Small Island.
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Swimmer Hoang Van Hai crosses the finish line first in the men’s 5 km race. |
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Organizers present awards to top performers of the race. |
Swimmers began racing at sunrise amidst Ly Son’s scenic coastal landscape, cheered on by local residents and tourists.
Organizers deployed rescue boats, medical teams, and support personnel along the course to ensure athlete safety.
According to Nguyen Van Huy, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ly Son special zone, the race is not only an attractive sport event but also a bridge to promote the natural beauty, culture, and people of Ly Son. Through the event, the locality continues to develop distinctive tourism products, turning Ly Son Island into an attraction for both domestic and international visitors.
Alongside individual prizes, the organizers also presented team and age-group awards.
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Nearly 800 athletes compete in three distances. |
Beyond competition, the event offered athletes and visitors opportunities to experience local culture, cuisine, and especially the million-year-old sedimentary cliffs set against a backdrop of pristine blue sea and sky.
The successful race further demonstrated Ly Son’s potential for developing marine sports tourism and supported efforts to establish the event as an annual international sports-tourism attraction.
Translated by Mai Huong