Discover the enchanting Cô Tô island with a 3-day, 2-night itinerary for just 2 million dong per person.

Cô Tô Island offers a pristine beauty of azure seas and white sands, perfect for short getaways. Explore the 3-day, 2-night itinerary for only 2 million dong per person.

Unveil the wonders of Cô Tô with a 3-day, 2-night adventure priced at 2 million dong per person.

Seeking a natural escape nestled amidst forests, mountains, and seas, I embarked on a journey to Cô Tô Island. Little did I know, Northern Vietnam harbors such a breathtaking paradise. This is a destination you must visit this summer.

TRANSPORTATION

- Departing from Hưng Yên to Cái Rồng Port takes approximately 3 hours by car, though it feels like mere moments once you awaken. I opted for the Xuân Trường sleeper bus priced at 150,000 dong per person. Departure is at 2:10 AM, arriving at the port by 5:30 AM. For reservations, call 0962.635.888 (Book at least 2 days in advance).

- Traveling from Cái Rồng Port to Cô Tô: I opted for the 5-star Havaco ferry, priced at 300,000 dong per person (you can pre-book tickets for weekend travel or purchase them directly at the Havaco ticket counter). I caught the earliest ferry at 6:45 AM. Since I traveled on a weekday, the ferry was relatively empty. The journey takes about 1 hour to reach Cô Tô.

Note: For those prone to motion sickness, it's advisable to mentally prepare and take motion sickness medication beforehand. Thirty minutes into the ferry ride feels like being on a thrilling amusement park ride.

- Getting around the island: To facilitate transportation, it's recommended to rent a motorbike. Prices range from 200,000 to 250,000 dong per day. Avoid renting a 50cc scooter as it may struggle on uphill roads.

ACCOMMODATION:

I stayed at two homestays during my 3-day, 2-night stay on Cô Tô:

- Bình Giang Homestay: Located in the heart of the town, it's convenient for transportation, dining, and entertainment. The rooms are clean and cozy. Room rates start at 400,000 dong per night (single room), with complimentary round-trip electric bike shuttle service.

- Coto Village Homestay: Located near Hồng Vàn Beach, boasting picturesque views and seaside bungalows. Room rates range from 800,000 to 1,800,000 dong per night (depending on room type and duration of stay), including breakfast and round-trip electric shuttle service. Contact: 0978.781.423

DINING:

- When visiting Cô Tô, indulging in delectable seafood is a must. You can arrange beachside BBQs in the town or at Hồng Vàn Beach. I opted for a BBQ at Sỉn Quán in the town center, priced at 350,000 dong per set. The beachside view is stunning, the seafood is fresh, and the prices are reasonable. After dining, take a leisurely stroll along Tình Yêu Beach.

- Alternatively, you can book a BBQ at a renowned spot on Cô Tô, known as Bếp Bình An (fans of the TV series 'Life's Ups and Downs' will recognize it). BBQ prices here start at 300,000 dong per set.

- Another dining recommendation is Cô Tô Plus restaurant (located opposite Tuấn Vũ Hotel). During my 3 days on Cô Tô, I only had seafood vermicelli here, which was fragrant and generously topped. Prices range from 35,000 to 80,000 dong.

MUST-VISIT SPOTS IN CÔ TÔ:

- Vàn Chảy Beach: A place of azure waters, white sands, and expansive shores, truly beautiful.

- Hồng Vàn Beach: This tranquil beach boasts crystal-clear waters and stretches of fine white sand. When it comes to clarity, Hồng Vàn has the most stunning blue hues in the Northern region.

- Tình Yêu Beach: Arguably the most beautiful spot to admire sunsets in Cô Tô.

- Coto Sunset Beach Bar: The hottest check-in spot in Cô Tô.

- Cô Tô Lighthouse: Here, you can take in the poetic panorama of Cô Tô.

- Móng Rồng Rock Beach: Considered the prime spot for sunrise hunting on Cô Tô. The rock formations with their various colors and patterns are incredibly beautiful. Here, you can witness the grandeur of the sea.

- Âu Cảng: Also known as Âu Tàu, it's where boats dock to seek shelter from storms. Here, concrete pillars stretch in a row to break the waves. An ideal check-in spot in Cô Tô.

- Uncle Ho Monument located in Cô Tô town, facing the East Sea.

- Ký Con Pedestrian Street in Zone 3, Cô Tô town, is the first pedestrian street in Cô Tô, stretching about 200m. It features food stalls, beverage vendors, and souvenir shops.

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1

- Wake up at 2 am to catch an early ride to Cái Rồng Port; the journey takes 3 hours. Arrive at the port and purchase tickets for the 6:45 am ferry to the island.

- Arrived at Cô Tô around 8 am, feeling quite seasick, so headed back to Bình Giang Homestay to settle in, unpack, and rest. At 11:30 am, I used Google Maps to find Coto Plus restaurant for lunch. Surprisingly, it's just a few steps away from where I'm staying, so I walked over to enjoy some delicious and affordable seafood noodles, with complimentary lime water.

- Rented a motorbike and began exploring Cô Tô. First stop: the Lighthouse Point.

- Around early afternoon, rode the motorbike from Lighthouse Point to Vàn Chảy Beach. Paid a parking fee of 10,000 dong, ordered 2 coconuts for 50,000 dong each, and enjoyed the deserted beach, perfect for photo ops. Then returned to the homestay to change and relax.

- In the evening, went to admire the sunset at Coto Sunset Beach Bar.

- At night, took the bike to have beachside BBQ at Sỉn Quán and strolled along Tình Yêu Beach.

DAY 2

- Headed to Móng Rồng Rock Beach at 5:30 am, follow Google Maps. Remember to wear shoes or non-slip sandals as the rocks here are extremely slippery. Then stopped by Âu Cảng for a photo check-in. If you're using Google Maps, the location is marked as Âu Tàu.

- Back to town for breakfast at 8 am, still at Coto Plus. I had squid noodles and seafood fried rice, delicious and priced at 35 - 40k. Then went to Cô Tô Dessert Island for pomelo and sweet potato desserts. Total cost: 70k.

- Checked out at 11 am, returned the motorbike, and left luggage at the Guesthouse for lunch. After eating around 12:30 pm, called the electric car from Coto Village for pickup, check-in, and room assignment.

- In the afternoon, rented a motorbike to visit the wooden bridge (the ferry terminal to Cô Tô island) for photos, photo fee 20k. Then visited Hồng Vàn Beach for a swim.

- In the evening, went up to town for dinner at 9s Delicious Restaurant. Priced at 50k per serving and no complimentary lime water. After dinner, wandered around the town and Ký Con Pedestrian Street. The road back to the homestay is quite far and dark (15 minutes by motorbike), so I returned early.

DAY 3

- On our last day, we visited Hồng Vàn Beach, then went to town for fish crackers and clam noodles at Coto Plus, priced at only 35k – 40k. After that, we stopped by the seafood market to buy gifts for our families and friends.

- At 12 pm, the electric car took us to the pier to return to the mainland. We bought tickets for the 5-star Havaco ferry at 300k per ticket, departing at 1:15 pm, and said goodbye to Cô Tô.

If you're seeking a remote natural destination away from the hustle and bustle of city life, a trip to Cô Tô is the perfect choice for this summer. The locals are friendly, the scenery is stunning with clear blue seas, ideal for short getaways. Transportation is easy, and the food is delicious yet affordable. It's also a place to capture beautiful sunset moments and take dazzling photos. Hope you'll have an amazing trip with wonderful experiences like mine.

By Nhung Phương

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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook