Unspoiled beach

To get to Co To, take a boat ride from Cai Rong Wharf in Van Don Island District. Though the cruise can be rough, it is worth taking to see the breathtaking limestone islands sitting like sleeping dragons on the water. These islands inspired a local legend.

 

Once upon a time, when Vietnam was invaded, the Jade Emperor sent a mother dragon with a herd of little dragons to earth help the people defend their country. When the enemy boats came towards the shore, dragons vomited thousands of pearls and gems that turned into stone islands to prevent the enemy’s approach. After defeating the invaders, the dragons did not return to heaven but stayed on earth. The place the Mother Dragon resided is now Ha Long Bay and the young dragons turned into the islands of Bai Tu Long Bay which contains the Co To island group.

 

After about one and half hour on the boat, green, misty mountain ranges and white sandy beaches of Co To Island appear on the horizon.

 

East of Van Don Island, Co To Island District comprises dozens of islands on about 46.2 square kilometers. Among them, Co To Lon, Thanh Lan and Tran are three largest and most attractive islands along with three main beautiful beaches and other smaller unnamed ones.

 

From the Co To wharf tourists can easily see a 15 km beach lengthening to the end of the island. It’s commonly called Uncle Ho beach, the main beach of islanders and the most crowded place. A paved path winds along the edge of the sandy beach, lined with houses, shops and a market. The beach is deserted and not quite polluted by modern industrial society. It is typical with white sands and blue water as clear as crystal.

The other beach is named Hong Van, about 8 km from the town. Hong Van Beach is regarded as the most beautiful one with fresh air and deserted space, from the ticklish lanes passing through green fields with sudden curve to the beach. Thanks for Thanh Lan Island, which plays a role as a fence of marine wind to preserve Hong Van’s serenity. Hong Van beach is also widely called Hom Trinh Sat.

 

Passing through the small path of island, tourists shall reach to Van Chai Beach, a small one located by the end of the island. People humour that it’s the most ideal place for dawn view. If tourists deliberately come Co To in full moon time, just pay a visit to Van Chai and they shall be delightful on front of sparkling white sand beach under moon light.

Co To Lighthouse

On the mountain of 5 km distance from the town lays an imposing lighthouse, the highest point of the island. The pathway from mountain foot to the light house is deserted and tortuous with rough stones. From the balcony of the light house, tourists shall take an overview of spectacular green island with Co To, the farthest inhabited island from the mainland. Wildlife adventure lovers often camp here. Tourist can also spend one day to explore this pristine tiny island in a trip carried out by young islanders in the weekends. Thanh Lan Island is nearer with surrounding white sand beach. On the island, oranges are a special harvested fruit. During harvest time, the island turns a splendid orange-yellow colour.

Over the past few years, Co To’s rustic beauty has attracted small groups of young tourists who are seeking adventure and do not care about hotels and organized tours. Tourists to the islands can’t help but become absorbed by the fantastic, unspoilt beaches. The smooth white sand of the beaches under the shining sunlight creates a peaceful, romantic setting for tourists.

 

Popular tourists’ activities:

-          Walking on the romantic beaches;

-          Bathing in the blue water;

-          Go fishing;

-          Seeing coral reefs from aboard a ship;

-          Trekking, biking to explore Co To or scuba diving in the deep blue waters.

-          Seafood such shrimp, cuttle, fish... is abundance and very cheap. Tourists can bring gas cooker and cook their own meal or hire native to cook.

-          From large Co To Island, hiring boat to around the islands or to Thanh Lan Island, a small island near by Co To.

 

Further information:

 

- From Ha Noi, tourists can take a bus to Van Don at Luong Yen or My Dinh Bus Station every one hour from the morning to 5.30 pm.

 - The boat departs from Cai Rong Wharf at 7 am everyday. However, it is possibly sooner if having enough passengers. Hence tourists should on board quickly otherwise must wait until the following day.

Preparing to explore the island

- There’s a trip at 1 pm from mainland to the island on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and reserve direction is on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

- A boat trip is VND 70,000 per passenger.

- Motel on the island is priced at VND 150,000, tourists should book a room in advance or homestay, renting tent on beach. It is suggested that should choose a room on high floor to enjoy windy air and a beautiful seaview if tourists book at a local guest house. Normally guest house is often situated on a busy street of a residential area, next to markets and restaurants, so people who want an escape from the noise can find for them a small room at a motel at the end of island and will have chance to meet hospitable islanders.

- The best way to explore every corner of the islands is to hire a motorbike priced at about VND 80,000 – 100,000 per day.