Experience Traveling to Co To Island, Quang Ninh

High-speed boat: Departs at 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM daily – Duration: 90 minutes, ticket price approximately 180 - 200,000 VND/one way/person.

Wooden boat: On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, there are 2 trips (6:30 AM and 1:00 PM) – On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, there is 1 trip, departing in the morning at 6:30 AM. The fare for the wooden boat is around 110,000 VND/one way/person.

Note: If you want to reach Cai Rong in time for the morning ferry to the island, you must arrive at Bai Chay before 5:00 PM the day before to catch the last bus and stay overnight at Cai Rong. This area also offers many guesthouses and hotels with prices starting from 150,000 VND/night.

Getting around Coto Island, you can rent a motorbike for 200,000 VND/day. Alternatively, you can use either motorbike taxis or taxis.

2. Accommodation in Coto

– From Coto pier, take a motorbike taxi to the central market, the busiest area in town where you can easily find accommodation.

A paradise that everyone visiting Coto Island cannot overlook is the area of Cau My Rocks located in the southern part of Great Coto Island. Cau My with its system of sedimentary rocks eroded over thousands of years by the sea creates a rare wonder compared to other famous islands of Vietnam.

The layers of rocks are clearly visible as soon as you set foot on them, displaying various colors. Layered rocks, diverse in colors and shapes, make the whole area resemble a vivid painting depicting the natural formation process.

Hong Van Beach

When you come to Coto, you will surely be captivated by the pristine, stunning beaches here, and Hong Van is one of those destinations that will make you feel that way. Located on the eastern side of Coto Island, Hong Van Beach is serene, with gentle waves as calm as a lake due to Thanh Lan Island blocking the wind from the sea. The soft sandy shores along with the clear blue waters here will make visitors reluctant to leave.

Van Chai Beach

At the very end of the island lies the beautiful Van Chai Beach, nestled by the seaside with a long stretch of fine sand, and enticing rolling waves. Particularly, the sea water here always has a beautiful deep blue color, reflecting the sunlight, changing different shades of blue each time there are small waves gently lapping the shore.

Love Lane

Traveling to Coto Island, you will surely hear about a romantic path called Love Lane. This path, over 2km long, paved with red bricks, runs along the coast, about 100m from the center of Coto town. On both sides are rows of vibrant green trees swaying in the breeze. It's rightly called Love Lane because whether you stroll or cycle slowly here, it's incredibly romantic. Along this path, you'll hear the rustle of the trees, the soothing sound of the waves, the vivid green scenery of the forest, the golden hue of sunlight, and the red of the bricks, reminiscent of romantic Korean dramas.

Little Coto Island

Being an uninhabited island, Little Coto Island attracts the most discerning tourists of the Coto archipelago with its pristine and beautiful beaches. Little Coto Island is over 1 km away from Big Coto Island. Tourists don't need permission and can rent a wooden boat to reach Little Coto Island, with a travel time of about 25 - 30 minutes. The rental price for a boat is 600,000 - 800,000 VND (depending on the route). Each boat can carry about 12 people. Here, you can experience camping on the beach, a very exciting feeling for those who love new experiences.

Ho Chi Minh Memorial House

The Ho Chi Minh Memorial House located in Zone 3, Coto town, is a complex of relics on Coto Island including: Monument, stele, memorial house belonging to the system of Historical relics classified as national historical, cultural relics. The relic site was built in 1968 and restored in 1975, only 50m from the coast. This is one of the few places where Uncle agreed to erect a statue while still alive, and it's a destination always on the priority list of travelers to Coto Island.

Uncle Ho Beach

Uncle Ho Beach is located right outside the entrance of the island, visible from the port bridge, this nearly 15 km long beach stretches towards the end of the island. This is the main beach of the islanders and also the most crowded bathing place. The beach is all fine white sand surrounded by cool green casuarina forests with a brick-paved road running along the coast.

At this beach, the district People's Committee of Coto Island has erected nearby the statue of Uncle Ho to commemorate the day Uncle visited the island. Perhaps that's why this beach is called Uncle Ho Beach by the locals, it's a favorite walking spot for the islanders and also the best spot to admire the beautiful sunrise for tourists.

4. Souvenirs

- You can buy fresh seafood right in the morning before leaving. The fishermen on the island often bring freshly caught seafood to sell at the pier for the convenience of tourists. The sellers will also pack and ice the seafood for you so that you can take it home without worrying about it spoiling.

- If you don't want to buy fresh items, you can choose dried squid as a gift.

5. Important Note

- Before boarding the boat to the island, you should have breakfast and take motion sickness medication.

- You should bring mosquito repellent as there are not many pharmacies on the island.

- If possible, you should bring a flashlight, rechargeable lamp, or portable fan to avoid power outages at night.

6. Budget Estimate for the Trip:

For a 2-day 3-night trip, with a group of 6-10 people, the cost per person is around 1,000,000 - 1,500,000 VND (excluding the cost of transportation by car from Hanoi to Cam Pha, which is about 400,000 VND). Specifically:

+ 150,000 VND for meals + room rental at Van Don to wait for the boat to the island (1 night) (if staying in Van Don).

+ 300,000 VND for the Van Don - Coto - Van Don high-speed boat (180,000 VND x 2 trips) wooden boat 110,000 VND/way x 2 trips.

+ Room rates on Coto Island range from 300,000 VND to 400,000 VND for 2 people with full electricity and water.

+ 600,000 VND for meals on Coto Island (3 days x 4 main meals/100,000 VND/meal + BBQ dinner/150,000 VND/meal + breakfast 20,000 VND/meal).

+ 200,000 VND for motorbike rental (1 motorbike/2 people) remember to wear a helmet.

+ If not renting a motorbike, rent a car from 800,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND depending on the route and travel time by car. On the island, there are 16-seat to 30-seat cars.

Source: Mytour

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide