Hon Co Island offers a unique charm and allure that captivates international visitors in all weather conditions.

Located at 20°52’54.45”N and 107°10’9.95”E, Hon Co is a small island in Ha Long Bay, with a perimeter of around 574 meters and a total area of nearly 23,000 square meters. Locals say the island’s name, which means “Grass Island”, comes from the golden wildflowers that blanket it in summer, creating a vibrant, radiant scene unlike any other.

Despite its modest size, Hon Co boasts majestic beauty and unique geological features. Formed through marine erosion and natural weathering, the island is made up of striking limestone formations. Nestled within is Co cave, also known as Thien Canh Son cave, an ancient fossil cave dating back to the Middle to Late Pleistocene period (700,000-11,000 years ago).

The cave consists of two chambers connected horizontally. The first is small and intimate, while the second opens into a larger space with a vaulted ceiling draped in white stalactites, resembling soft silk curtains. Natural light filters in through ceiling crevices, blending with the humidity to create a shimmering, multicolored light pillar, a breathtaking sight for any visitor. The cave features a variety of formations, including curtains, stalagmites, stone bells, and columns formed during the Holocene, all bearing witness to the area’s intense karstification process. Beyond its aesthetic allure, the cave also holds immense scientific value.

Step inside Co Cave, also known as Thien Canh Son, and uncover the ancient beauty hidden within Ha Long Bay.

“Hon Co has remained untouched by mass tourism, making it an ideal spot for those who cherish pristine nature and seek peace and quiet,” said Mr. Doan Van Dung, a representative of Sen A Dong Travel - the pioneer operator offering tours to the island. From afar, Hon Co resembles a lush green oasis in the Cong Do area, one of the few places in the bay still preserved in its original state. Its raw, tranquil beauty is a highlight along the Cong Do - Hon Co - Vung Vieng tour route, offering a refreshing alternative to more crowded tourist stops.

Surrounding the cave are towering limestone cliffs, sheltering two primary ecosystems: the forested hillsides and the rock face at the cave entrance. The island is home to a rich variety of flora, including woody shrubs such as wild jujube and red-leaf oak. Especially notable are several rare and endemic plant species with high biological value, such as mong tay (Clerodendrum), kho cu dai tim, wild beans, and native fig trees (si, sung Ha Long), contributing to the island’s ecological richness and helping preserve its pristine landscape.

Recently, a large-scale botanical garden has been developed on the island, showcasing rare flowering plants of high ecological and ornamental value. On one side of the island lies a natural white sand beach stretching beneath the cliffs, now being planned as a new eco-bathing area. These elements open the door to sustainable ecotourism, offering a distinct, nature-based experience within the heart of the heritage site.

Hon Co island looks like a green haven, where rich vegetation and a sweeping stretch of white sand gently wrap around its limestone base.

“Hon Co has emerged as a new highlight in Ha Long Bay, with a development focus on eco-resorts, landscape conservation, and environmental education. We hope to attract international visitors who love nature and are passionate about exploring biological and geological diversity”, said Mr. Tran Van Hien, Director of Center 3, the island’s management unit.

Hon Co is located near overnight cruise stops and along the Cong Do - Vung Vieng experience route, making it easy for visitors to include in their travel plans. Here, they can kayak, swim, relax on soft white sands, or explore tidal cracks, coral ridges, and beach edges surrounding the island’s limestone base - all offering immersive, unforgettable experiences, whether in summer or winter.

According to statistics, Hon Co welcomed more than 69,500 visitors in 2024, over 95% of whom were international travelers. From Hon Co, tourists can easily reach nearby eco-attractions like Cong Do Island, mangrove forests, or the Vung Vieng fishing village, a place rich in traditional maritime culture. The growing popularity of Hon Co highlights its great potential as a sustainably developed, unspoiled, and distinctive destination in the heart of the world heritage site.

By Ha Phong