Discover Co To Island – An Exciting Tourist Destination in Ha Long

1 Which mode of transport should you choose for your trip to Co To?

Have you ever hesitated to travel to Co To because the journey is long and time-consuming? If so, you can now travel with peace of mind on the highway, where many bus companies offer a range of departure times.

For this trip to Co To Island, Thuy Linh, a young woman born in the 1990s, chose to travel by coach with the well-known Hoang Cong bus company. Hoang Cong provides door-to-door pickup and drop-off at locations in downtown Van Don and Hanoi. She left central Hanoi at 8:30 p.m. and arrived around midnight, stopping to rest at an acquaintance’s home. According to Thuy Linh, you can choose between a limousine and a regular 16-seat vehicle. Although the fare is 40,000 VND more than the regular fare of 160,000 VND per trip, MIA.vn’s travel tip is to book your ticket in advance. To book, call 0943.111.112. Other bus companies you can consider include Xuan Truong and Van Don Xanh. They offer the most departure times, so you can choose one that suits your itinerary. Fares with these companies range from 180,000 VND to 250,000 VND per trip.

If you don’t have relatives or know anyone in Van Don, you can also save time by traveling overnight. You’ll arrive at Cai Rong Port at around 6 a.m., just in time to catch a boat to Co To.

2 Exploring Co To Island

2.1 How do you get to Co To Island?

Thuy Linh visited Co To when the pandemic was still not under control, so high-speed boat services to the island were limited. High-speed boats from Co To to Van Don departed at 6:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Boats from Co To to Van Don departed at 8 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. The current one-way fare is 250,000 VND. You can contact the operator in advance to book tickets and plan your travel time. To book, call 0363.665.868. The journey from Cai Rong Port to Co To Island takes about 1.5 hours.

One special feature is that the waiting area has an amazing spot for photos, so don’t miss the chance to snap some pictures here. You can also take photos at the port entrance or in the waiting area. With the sea and fishing boats moored behind you, the view is wonderfully “chill”—perfect for striking a pose.

2.2 Where should you stay?

Remember to book your room, homestay or hotel in advance. Check travel review groups to find a place you like. Co To has plenty of hotels to choose from, with prices starting at just 200,000 VND per night. For that, you can get a lovely room with a sea view, and some places also rent vehicles. Based on MIA.vn’s independent travel tips for Co To, choose accommodation near the sea so you can watch the sunrise and sunset or take a nighttime stroll along the shore.

This time, Thuy Linh chose Homestay 368. It has a welcoming garden view, is surrounded by greenery and, especially, has lots of fresh flowers. The rooms at 368 are mainly made of wood and come with air conditioning and hot water. A major plus is its location close to the sea: Love Beach is only about 300 m away. Thuy Linh rented two double rooms for 400,000 VND for two days and one night. What she especially liked about the homestay was that the owner provided pickup at the port, both on arrival and at departure. The owner is also very welcoming and friendly, and takes great care of guests. Motorbikes are available to rent for 100,000 VND each. You can book a room by calling 0586.386.996.

See also: A review of Ha Long Park—one fun-filled day you won’t want to end

3 Co To’s unforgettable attractions

Once you’ve unpacked, you can start your trip with a steaming bowl of seafood noodle soup. Just wander along the street and you’ll easily find eateries serving it. A bowl is very affordable, costing only 30,000–40,000 VND.

3.1 The Lighthouse

The first stop on Thuy Linh’s itinerary was the lighthouse, located in Dong Tien Commune and fairly close to Homestay 368. One tip: it’s best to get there by motorbike, as electric vehicles don’t go there.

From the lighthouse, you can take in panoramic views of Co To, Truong Xuan Lake and several other beaches. Breathe in the fresh air and immerse yourself in the majestic mountain scenery. MIA.vn is sure you’ll feel wonderfully refreshed.

3.2 Hong Van Beach

From the lighthouse, continue straight until you see a sign, then turn right to reach Hong Van Beach. This unspoiled beach has seen little tourism development, making it wonderfully peaceful. At Hong Van Beach, admire rows of lush green casuarina trees stretching along the shore, with golden sand and gentle waves below. And, of course, don’t forget to take some photos amid this artistic scenery. If you’re lucky, you may spot a few fishing boats moored near the shore. Just ask, and you’ll have another fantastic photo backdrop. You can also continue a little farther from Hong Van to Bac Van Port, where a wooden bridge looks straight out of a Korean movie.

3.3 Van Chay

Continuing her exploration of Co To, Thuy Linh’s next stop was Van Chay Beach, known for its strong waves and exceptionally clean water. When you visit Van Chay, be sure to swim and snap some photos. Don’t hesitate to dive into the clear water, rent a kayak or go snorkeling in the deep blue sea—it’s great fun. What’s more, at this beach you can watch the waves surge and roll, creating a truly majestic and spectacular sight.

If you want to relax, you can rent a small beach hut and order some food and coconut water. Enjoying them while listening to the waves is a great idea.

3.4 Love Beach

This is the perfect spot for sunset lovers, and the beach is even known as the best place on Co To to watch the sun go down. Be sure to stop by Co To Sunset, where you can enjoy delicious drinks and a wonderfully “chill” sunset view. Next to Love Beach is Love Road, a roughly 2 km-long path shaded by two rows of rustling casuarina trees, day and night. It’s also a favorite spot for photos.

3.5 Mong Rong Rock Beach

While Love Beach is an ideal spot to watch the sunset, Mong Rong Rock Beach is the perfect place to catch the sunrise. Also known as Cau My Rock Beach, Mong Rong is made up of layers of sedimentary rock that have been eroded by the sea over time, creating unusual shapes stacked like steps. At sunrise, sunlight streams through the crevices in the rocks, creating a vivid and mysterious scene. Mong Rong, or Cau My Rock Beach, is made up of layers of sedimentary rock that have been eroded by the sea over time, forming unusual shapes stacked like steps. One tip for visiting: don’t wear high heels—instead, choose flat shoes for easier walking.

Untouched by human development, Co To has retained its unspoiled, graceful and captivating charm. Its pristine forests and rocky shores leave visitors spellbound, longing to linger and reluctant to leave.

That brings Thuy Linh’s tips and review of Co To Island to a close. If you love rustic, unspoiled beauty, visit at least once for the chance to admire Co To’s majestic natural scenery and its impressive culinary culture.