Buzz
At 9:30 PM, we arrived at Luong Yen Bus Station to board the KALONG sleeper bus departing from Hanoi to Quang Ninh. Opting for a late trip ensured a swift journey without frequent stops. The bus was of high quality, clean, and we were fortunate to encounter a caring bus attendant who addressed our needs meticulously. Contact Mr. Bich at 097 2384828. Avoid Duc Phuc buses due to frequent issues. The ticket price was 150k per person.
After over 4 hours of travel, we reached the Cua Ong intersection at 2 AM, then took a taxi to Cai Rong Port for 130k. We rented accommodation near the port to rest and wait until morning to depart for the island. Total expense: 300k. (Remember to bring your ID card.)
Cai Rong Port
April 29th
Enjoy a romantic evening BBQ by the beach with lanterns and curtains, all for just $350 per person. Indulge in 14 complimentary wine selections. Experience the joy of dining by the seaside, listening to the soothing sound of waves. If you're in Co To, this is a must-try spot for a day.
BBQ at the beachside
Mark your calendar: April 30th
In the morning, Coto Life treats us to a complimentary breakfast for two, so we ordered an extra 3 servings of beef noodles for only $75. From the hosts to the staff, everyone was incredibly hospitable. For more information, check out CoTo Life - Mini Resort on Facebook. After dining, we explored for a while before returning to pack up and move to a lively area bustling with people. We took advantage of Coto Life's complimentary electric car ride to Hoa Le Guesthouse, which we booked in advance for just $700. While the place was clean and newly built, there was a karaoke room next door, making it difficult to sleep with loud music until 3 or 4 in the morning.
Hoa Le Guesthouse accommodates up to 10 people per room
For lunch, we had a light meal based on individual preferences, spending around $150. Then, in the afternoon, we headed to Rock Beach, the Love Road, and swam at Vàn Chảy Beach (the rock beach is perfect for photos, just add a bit of sunshine!). We rented two motorbikes for $300, from 4 PM to 8 PM, so make sure to negotiate hourly rates instead of daily ones to save costs. Since each bike fits three, we had to keep checking if there were any police checkpoints on the way, just to avoid any unexpected stops :D. At Vàn Chảy Beach, we paid $50 for parking and locker service (they even have changing rooms).
Striking a pose at Vàn Chảy Beach
In the evening, we strolled around the town and had dinner at a seaside restaurant. I forgot the name, but they served fresh seafood, and you could order whatever you liked, priced by the kilogram, so you only pay according to your budget. We spent around $750 for our meal. Initially, we planned to eat at Uý Thanh Restaurant based on recommendations, but we left immediately upon arrival due to their service attitude. After dinner, we wandered around the town and returned to our room at 11 PM to play cards and have some beer.
Breathtaking ocean view from the room
May 1st
We packed our bags to head back. Self-service light breakfast. The earliest high-speed boat departure is at 9 AM. Arriving at Cai Rong Port at 10:10 AM, we opted for Duc Phuc bus to return to Hanoi due to the long wait for taxis. As rumored, the service was far from satisfactory. I advise against it. Ticket price: $120.
▶️Wrapping up the holiday. An unforgettable trip, though Co To Island may not be as bustling as other destinations, we had incredibly relaxing moments. Fond memories of the cheerful electric car driver and the attentive service at Coto Life linger...
Valuable Insights
✔️ Locals here are incredibly helpful, so feel free to ask anything, they'll gladly assist you.
✔️ Stock up on snacks before going because things are quite expensive out there.
✔️ Consider staying at the resort for a day to enjoy the fresh air and tranquility instead of crowding in densely populated areas.
✔️ Make sure to bring extra cash with you, emphasize on this. There might be additional expenses like wanting to buy more clothes or gifts. Don't end up like us, struggling because the ATM broke down and we couldn't go to Co To Island.
✔️ The most important thing for beautiful photos is the scenery, but how you capture it is crucial to creating stunning images. In my opinion, for landscape shots, use a regular camera, leverage natural light for sharp photos, then adjust the colors. Personally, I often use VS COCAM and INSTAGRAM apps (both widely popular). Again, I emphasize that Đam Mê Nhà Gỗ (Wooden Passion) only has 8 rooms, so if you don't book in advance, it'll be fully booked.
Trip Expenses
- Roundtrip transportation: $750+$600=$1350
- Roundtrip ferry: $1800
- Taxi fare: $130
- Snacks: $715
- Motion sickness pills + diarrhea medication: $110
- Port homestay: $300
- Island homestay: $700
- Coto Life Resort: $1200
- Food expenses: $2725
- Motorbike rental: $300
- Bag storage: $50
>>>We went for 3 nights and 2 days with 5 people, totaling $9375. Divided by 5, each person pays $1875.
Source: Thu Huong
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