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To make your trip to Co To Island meaningful and memorable, let's explore and gather some experiences with Mytour for traveling to this beautiful island in the North!
Travel Guide to Co To Island, Quang Ninh: Detailed Handbook from A to Z, Latest 2023 Edition
Introduction to the Island | Getting Around | Places to Visit | Famous Specialties| Souvenir Shopping | Tips | Beautiful Homestays in Co To
Introduction to Traveling to Co To Island, Quang Ninh
Co To Island is located in the East of Van Don Island, Quang Ninh Province. It is about 260 km away from the center of Hanoi City by both road and sea routes. Like other islands in Vietnam, Co To boasts captivating blue sea and vast ocean views. Alongside its pristine and majestic natural beauty, the island is known for its friendly and hospitable locals.
Co To Island's beaches have been recognized by both domestic and international publications as one of the top 10 most beautiful islands in Vietnam. In recent years, Co To Island tourism has seen remarkable development in accommodation facilities: hotels, homestays, and dining services: restaurants, eateries... Transportation to the island has also been upgraded to best meet the travel and exploration needs of tourists.
Transportation to Co To Island
Motorbike
You can choose to travel by motorbike for flexibility in time, with many opportunities to experience and admire the scenery. From Hanoi, to travel to Co To, first, you need to go to Cai Rong port. With a distance of about 200 km, you travel along National Highway 1A - 18 to Quang Ninh province. When you reach Van Don intersection, turn right, cross Van Don Bridge, the toll station to Van Don Post Office, then continue to turn right. Drive about 1.5 km more to reach Cai Rong port. You can bring your motorbike to the island at a cost of 120,000 VND/bike/way or leave your bike at Cai Rong port for about 20,000 VND/day.
Bus
You can also go to Cai Rong port by bus from Hanoi, with buses to Cam Pha, Cua Ong at My Dinh bus station and Luong Yen bus station. Price is about 200,000 VND/way. Van Don intersection (Bai Chay) is the drop-off point of the Hanoi - Co To journey. Here, you can catch a local bus with a signboard 'Cai Rong' to go to Cai Rong port. If you take the bus, ask to get off at Van Don Post Office. From this location, it's about 1.5km more to reach Cai Rong port. You can take a motorbike taxi or walk directly to the port to rest for the next day's trip to Cai Rong by boat.
Limousine Service
You can choose a Limousine service to Van Don. The advantage of this type of vehicle is that you will be taken directly to Van Don without the need for a transfer.
Boat to Co To Island
Includes 2 types: Wooden Boat and High-speed Boat
- High-speed Boat: Departs at 13:00 - 13:30 on weekdays - duration 90 minutes, ticket price around 180 - 200,000 VND/one-way/person.
- Wooden Boat: On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays 2 trips (morning 6:30; afternoon 13:00) - On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 1 trip, departs in the morning at 6:30. The price of the wooden boat is around 110,000 VND/one-way/person.
Note: If you want to reach Cai Rong to catch the morning boat to the island, you must arrive at Bai Chay before 17:00 the previous day to catch the last bus and stay overnight in Cai Rong. This area also has many guesthouses, hotels with prices from 150,000 VND/night.
To get around Co To Island, you can rent a motorbike for 200,000 VND/day. Alternatively, you can use either a motorbike taxi or a regular taxi.
Tips for dining, resting, and exploring Co To Island
Famous Specialty Dishes of Co To Island
Sea Snails
Sea snails, also known as the king conch, are a famous specialty dish of Co To Island. Co To sea snails are often prepared into various delicious dishes such as snail soup, snail porridge, braised snails, stir-fried snails, snail rice, grilled snails, and snail stew. All dishes made from sea snails are delicious and nutritious.
Sea Cucumber
Cù kỳ – despite its peculiar name, is a familiar dish for the locals on Co To Island. Resembling a crab but with larger claws and a slender body, cù kỳ is a type of seafood that is relatively cheap yet of decent quality. It can be steamed, grilled, stir-fried with tamarind, or cooked in noodle soup for a delightful meal.
Razor Clams
Razor clams (known as tôm tít in the Southern region) are a must-try seafood dish when visiting Co To Island. These clams are firm, succulent, and sweet, making them delicious whether grilled, steamed, stir-fried with salt, or stir-fried with tamarind.
Sea Cucumber
Sea cucumber is another delicacy you should try on Co To Island. This marine creature is highly nutritious and provides a significant source of income for local fishermen. After being cleaned and blanched, sea cucumber is stir-fried with carrots, celery, and fresh beef for a delightful aroma and taste. Sea cucumber not only offers a delicious flavor but also has many health benefits, such as preventing kidney stones and replenishing the body's vitality.
Finger Conchs
Co To Island is famous for its variety of unique snail dishes such as finger conchs, fat snails, horn snails, and especially the delightful finger conch dish. Finger conchs have a sweet and firm texture due to their high mineral content like iron and calcium, making them perfect for creating many delicious dishes.
Spiny Sea Snails
Spiny sea snails are another must-try dish when visiting Co To Island. This local delicacy is prepared into various enticing dishes, with the most popular ones being served raw, grilled, or cooked in porridge. These dishes are highly nutritious, attracting many tourists who seek to indulge in the culinary delights of Co To.
Some Beautiful Homestays in Co To
Co To Village
Co To Village is located near the beach, providing guests with a romantic ambiance during their stay. The unique bungalow-style accommodation is constructed with materials such as wood, bamboo, and thatch, featuring single-floor structures. In front of each room is a spacious and airy courtyard, combined with a small green forest behind, creating a refreshing and nature-friendly resort area.
Thành Nguyệt Homestay Co To
Thành Nguyệt Homestay Co To is located right on Hong Van Beach and Coto Park Water Park. Besides accommodation, you can participate in exciting recreational activities right on the beach.
Coto Life Mini Resort Close to Nature
Coto Life Mini Resort offers a peaceful and gentle atmosphere. The bungalow-style accommodations are made of natural wood with roofs covered in thatched grass, typical of Co To Island. All bungalows are nestled under the cool shade of lush primeval forests, providing direct access to Hong Van Beach, creating a relaxing resort space that will leave you feeling tranquil and content.
Hong Van Homestay
Hong Van Homestay features a row of wooden houses facing Hong Van Beach. These charming wooden houses are beautifully decorated, offering a picturesque view for you to comfortably enjoy watching the sunrise and sunset over the sea. Staying here, guests can easily join in activities and enjoy leisure time on the beach.
Exciting Places to Visit on Co To Island
Co To Lighthouse Station
Co To Lighthouse Station is one of over 30 'sea eyes' operating throughout the waters of Vietnam, built since the late 19th century. To climb up to the lighthouse, tourists have to overcome steep turns and then climb up 72 steps from the bottom to the top of the lighthouse. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of Co To Island, from the beautiful dreamy coastal town, interspersed with lush green forests, to the humble and simple roofs.
My Bridge Rock Beach
My Bridge Rock Beach is one of the places where various oddly shaped rocks with different colors converge, the cliffs covered by mysterious rock veins. My Bridge Rock Beach is one of the best places to watch the sunrise on Co To Island. From here, you can extend your sight far to enjoy the majestic natural scenery. This place is also for those who love adventure, daring to climb up steep cliffs.
Hong Van Beach
Hong Van Beach is one of the most beautiful and clean beaches in Co To. Located 8km from the center of Co To district, Hong Van Beach is favored by nature with its charming appearance, smooth white sand, and extremely romantic blue sea. Here, you will enjoy relaxing moments lying on the sand, savoring romantic BBQ parties by the beach.
Van Chai Beach
Located at the end of the island, Van Chai Beach is beautiful, nestled beside the coast with long stretches of fine sand, and enticing rolling waves. Particularly, the sea water here always has a deep blue color, reflecting the sunlight, changing various shades of blue with each gentle wave hitting the shore.
Little Co To Island
As an uninhabited island, Little Co To Island attracts the most discerning tourists of the Co To archipelago with its pristine and beautiful beaches. Little Co To Island is over 1 km away from Big Co To Island. Tourists do not need permits and can rent wooden boats to go to Little Co To Island with a travel time of about 25 - 30 minutes. The rental price for a boat is 600,000 - 800,000 VND (per route). Each boat can carry about 12 people. Here, you can experience camping on the beach, a very interesting feeling for those who love new experiences.
Love Road on Co To Island
Exploring Co To Island will certainly lead you to a romantic path called Love Road. The road, more than 2km long, is paved with red bricks, running along the coast, about 100 meters from the center of Co To town, with two rows of lush green trees swaying in the breeze. It's rightly called Love Road because walking or cycling slowly here is incredibly romantic. Along this road, you'll hear the rustling of the trees, the soothing sound of the waves, and the vibrant greenery of the forest, golden sunlight, and red bricks, reminiscent of scenes from romantic Korean dramas.
What to Buy as Souvenirs When Traveling to Co To Island?
– You can buy freshly caught seafood early in the morning before you leave. 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 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 souvenir.
– Additionally, you can find and buy some impressive souvenir items made from shells, bottles, snails, etc., which will be very meaningful.
Some Notes When Traveling to Co To Island
– Before boarding the boat to the island, it's advisable to have breakfast and take motion sickness medication as a precaution.
– Bring mosquito repellent, insect repellent, and common personal medications as there are not many pharmacies on the island.
– If possible, bring a flashlight, rechargeable lamp, or rechargeable fan to avoid power outages at night.
Hopefully, with the tips above, you will have a pleasant, safe, and memorable journey exploring Co To Island.
Source: Mytour
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourFebruary 22, 2023
