Co To, the jewel of Quang Ninh, is always a dream destination for those who love the sea and yearn to discover unspoiled beauty. With crystal-clear turquoise waters, long stretches of fine white sand, and colorful coral reefs, Co To is like a hidden paradise in the middle of the ocean. If you’re planning a self-guided trip to Co To, let’s explore the detailed guide below to have a complete and memorable journey!
Introduction to Co To Island: A Jewel in the Heart of the Gulf of Tonkin
Located approximately 80km east of mainland Quang Ninh province, Co To emerges as a magnificent natural painting with over 50 islands of various sizes. Among them, Co To Lon (Big Co To Island) and Thanh Lan Island are the two main destinations attracting tourists with their pristine and pure beauty. This place is not only famous for its breathtakingly beautiful beaches but also a part of the history and culture of Quang Ninh province, home to lush primeval forests and hospitable, friendly locals.
Overview of Co To Island
Coming to Co To, you’re not just on a relaxing vacation but also immersing yourself in fresh nature, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city. Imagine yourself floating in the cool seawater, strolling on the smooth sandy beach, enjoying fresh seafood, and exploring unique destinations. If you’re looking for an ideal destination for a self-guided trip, Co To is definitely a great choice. Pack your bags and get ready to explore this beautiful island now!
Suggested 2-Day 1-Night Self-Guided Co To Itinerary
To help you easily plan your trip, here’s a suggested 2-day 1-night self-guided Co To itinerary that many tourists love and choose:
DAY 1: HANOI – CAI RONG/AO TIEN PORT – CO TO ISLAND
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Morning (07:00 AM – 12:00 PM):
- Departure from Hanoi: You can choose a high-speed limousine bus to travel from Hanoi to Cai Rong Port or Ao Tien Port (Van Don). Reputable bus companies such as Cua Ong Limousine, Hoang Phu Limousine, Xuan Truong Limousine offer fares ranging from 200,000 – 300,000 VND/person/one way. Travel time is approximately 3-4 hours.
- Lunch on your own: The bus will stop at a rest stop on the highway where you can have lunch at your own expense.
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Afternoon (12:00 PM – 6:30 PM):
- Transfer to Co To Island: Upon arriving at the port, proceed with boarding procedures for the high-speed ferry to Co To. High-speed ferry tickets cost around 360,000 – 500,000 VND/person/one way depending on the type of ferry and departure port. Travel time by high-speed ferry is approximately 60-90 minutes. It is recommended to book ferry tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist season.
- Check in to hotel and rest: Upon arrival in Co To town, travel to your pre-booked hotel to check in and rest after the journey.
- Explore Van Chay Beach: In the afternoon, you can rent a motorbike or electric car to visit Van Chay Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Co To with fine white sand and gentle waves. Here, you can swim, participate in water sports, or simply relax and admire the stunning sunset.
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Evening (6:30 PM onwards):
- Dinner at a restaurant: Enjoy a fresh seafood dinner at restaurants in Co To town. You can easily find many restaurants with diverse dishes and reasonable prices.
- Explore Co To by night: After dinner, feel free to explore Co To town at night. Stroll along the small streets, visit Co To night market to buy souvenirs or enjoy street food.
Suggested self-guided travel itinerary for Co To
DAY 2: EXPLORE CO TO – HANOI
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Morning (05:00 AM – 10:30 AM):
- Sunrise viewing at Mong Rong Rock Beach: Wake up early to catch the sunrise at Mong Rong Rock Beach, one of the most beautiful sunrise spots in Co To. The rocky beach with unique, majestic rock formations creates a magnificent and majestic natural landscape.
- Visit Cau My and Mui Ong Ninh: After watching the sunrise, continue exploring Cau My (My Bridge) and Mui Ong Ninh (Ong Ninh Cape), destinations with pristine and stunning natural scenery.
- Walk along Love Road and visit Ho Chi Minh Statue: Head to Love Road (Duong Tinh Yeu), a romantic road shaded by green trees, ideal for couples. Visit Ho Chi Minh Statue, a place of historical and cultural significance in Co To.
- Explore Co To Lighthouse: A must-visit destination when traveling to Co To is the Co To Lighthouse. From the top of the lighthouse, you can take in panoramic views of Co To with the blue sea, mountains, and surrounding small islands.
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Noon (10:30 AM – 1:00 PM):
- Check out of hotel: Return to the hotel to check out and prepare luggage to return to the mainland.
- Lunch and shopping: Have lunch at a restaurant and take the opportunity to buy seafood and souvenirs at Co To market before leaving.
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Afternoon (1:00 PM – 6:00 PM):
- Return to Hanoi: Go to Co To port to board the high-speed ferry back to Van Don or Cai Rong port. Limousine buses will pick you up at the port and take you back to Hanoi.
Suggested self-guided travel itinerary for Co To
Note: This is just a suggested itinerary, you can flexibly adjust it to suit your preferences and time. If you have more time, you can explore Thanh Lan Island, Co To Con Island, or participate in activities such as snorkeling to see coral reefs, kayaking…
Detailed Self-Guided Co To Travel Tips From A to Z
To make your self-guided Co To trip more complete and smooth, take note of the following useful tips:
1. Choose the Best Time to Visit Co To
The best time to visit Co To is during the summer and early autumn, from April to September.
- April – May: Co To weather is cool and pleasant, with little rain and calm seas, very suitable for swimming, sightseeing, and island exploration. This is also a time when Co To is not too crowded with tourists, giving you more privacy and comfort.
- June – July: Summer is the peak tourist season in Co To. The weather is hot and sunny, ideal for sea activities. However, this is also peak season, service prices may increase, and the island is quite crowded. You also need to follow the weather forecast as summer often has storms.
- August – September: Early autumn, Co To weather is still beautiful, with blue seas and clear skies. The number of tourists decreases compared to summer, and service prices are also more stable.
Each season, Co To has its own beauty. If you love peace and quiet and don’t want to be crowded, consider going during the off-season (winter or spring). However, please note that winter weather in Co To is quite cold and the sea is rough, not suitable for swimming.
2. Guide to Getting to Co To on Your Own
To get to Co To, you need to go through 3 main stages of transportation:
Stage 1: Travel from Hanoi to Ao Tien Port (or Cai Rong Port)
- Bus/Limousine: This is the most popular and convenient means of transport from Hanoi to Van Don. You can take a bus at My Dinh, Gia Lam bus stations or book a limousine from reputable companies such as Cua Ong Limousine, Hoang Phu Limousine, Kumho Viet Thanh… Limousines often pick up and drop off passengers at certain areas in inner Hanoi.
- Self-driving car: If you want to be proactive about time and schedule, you can drive yourself to Van Don via the Hanoi – Hai Phong – Ha Long highway. Travel time is approximately 3-4 hours.
Stage 2: Travel from Ao Tien/Cai Rong Port to Co To Island
- High-speed ferry: High-speed ferry is the fastest and most popular means of transport to Co To. Ferries depart from Ao Tien and Cai Rong ports. Travel time is approximately 60-90 minutes. Reputable high-speed ferry companies include Tuan Chau Express, Havaco, Ka Long…
- Wooden boat: Wooden boats are cheaper than high-speed ferries but travel time is longer (about 3-4 hours). Suitable for those who want to save costs and are not in a hurry.
Stage 3: Getting Around Co To Island
- Motorbike: Motorbike is a popular means of transport and is chosen by many tourists to explore Co To on their own. You can rent motorbikes at hotels, guesthouses, or motorbike rental shops on the island for about 150,000 – 200,000 VND/day.
- Electric car: Electric cars are environmentally friendly and suitable for large groups or families with young children. Electric car rental price is about 1,500,000 VND/car/day (12-seater car).
- Taxi: Taxis are also available on Co To Island but are more expensive than motorbikes and electric cars.
- Bicycle: Bicycles are an ideal choice for those who want to explore Co To slowly and leisurely. Bicycle rental price is about 30,000 – 50,000 VND/day.
3. Accommodation in Co To: Suggested Beautiful Hotels and Homestays
Co To has a variety of accommodation options from luxury hotels to budget-friendly homestays, suitable for all needs and budgets.
Suggested hotels in Co To:
- Golden Co To Hotel (3 stars): Located in the town center, modern design, convenient, with many room types, suitable for both individual and group guests.
- Green Co To Hotel (2 stars): Near Tinh Yeu (Love) Beach, cozy atmosphere, close to nature, affordable price.
- Starlight Co To Hotel (3 stars): Luxurious and modern design, with spa, massage, restaurant, providing a high-class resort experience.
Suggested homestays in Co To:
- Coto Village: Charming bungalow resort, close to nature, beautiful sea view.
- Co To Garden Homestay: Green and quiet space, simple and cozy design.
- Thanh Tuan Homestay: Budget-friendly homestay, clean, near the center, reasonable price.
Advice: You should book hotel or homestay rooms in advance, especially during peak tourist season to ensure you have satisfactory accommodation and good prices.
4. Co To Cuisine: A Paradise of Fresh Seafood
Co To cuisine is one of the factors attracting tourists. When you come to Co To, you must enjoy the fresh seafood specialties of this island region.
Must-try dishes in Co To:
- Co To Jellyfish: Famous specialty, can be processed into many dishes such as jellyfish salad, jellyfish noodle soup, fried jellyfish… Co To jellyfish salad with crunchy, sweet, and harmonious sweet and sour taste is a great appetizer.
- Sun-dried Squid (Muc Mot Nang) Co To: Fresh squid is dried in just one sunshine, retaining its characteristic sweetness and chewiness. Sun-dried squid grilled, stir-fried, or steamed are all delicious.
- Sea Urchin: Unique seafood, can be grilled with scallion oil, cooked into porridge, or eaten raw with mustard.
- Geoduck Clam (Tu Hai): Rare seafood, highly nutritious, often processed into steamed, grilled, or salad dishes.
- Mantis Shrimp (Be Be): Familiar seafood, but Co To mantis shrimp has firmer, sweeter, and more fragrant meat.
Good places to eat in Co To:
- Co To Night Market: Concentrates many snack stalls, grilled seafood, affordable prices.
- Seaside restaurants: Beautiful view, airy space, serving a variety of seafood dishes.
- Uy Thanh Restaurant: Famous restaurant, highly rated by many tourists for the quality and taste of the dishes.
5. Important Notes When Traveling to Co To on Your Own
- Follow the weather forecast: Before going, check the Co To weather forecast to be proactive in preparing and avoiding stormy days with rough seas.
- Prepare personal items: Bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, swimwear, personal medications, portable chargers…
- Book rooms and ferry tickets in advance: Especially during peak season, book hotel, homestay rooms and ferry tickets in advance to ensure availability and good prices.
- Prepare good health: If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare motion sickness medicine before traveling.
- Inquire about prices: Ask for prices before buying goods or using services to avoid being ripped off.
- Maintain environmental hygiene: Co To is a beautiful island, let’s work together to maintain environmental hygiene, do not litter indiscriminately.
Self-Guided Co To Travel Costs (Reference)
Self-guided Co To travel costs may vary depending on the time of travel, choice of services, and personal needs of each person. Below is a reference cost table for a 2-day 1-night trip:
| Cost item | Estimated cost (VND/person) |
|---|---|
| Transportation | |
| – Hanoi – Van Don bus (round trip) | 400,000 – 600,000 |
| – Van Don – Co To high-speed ferry (round trip) | 720,000 – 1,000,000 |
| – Motorbike rental (2 days) | 200,000 – 400,000 |
| Accommodation (1 night) | 300,000 – 1,000,000 |
| Food (2 days) | 700,000 – 1,500,000 |
| Sightseeing, entertainment | 200,000 – 500,000 |
| Incidental expenses | 300,000 – 500,000 |
| Total | 2,820,000 – 5,500,000 |
Note: This is just a reference cost, you can adjust it to suit your budget. If you want to save costs, you can choose budget-friendly homestays, eat at local eateries, and limit spending on entertainment activities.
Conclusion
Self-guided travel to Co To is a wonderful experience for those who love discovery and freedom. With the detailed guide above, hopefully you have gained useful information to plan your upcoming trip to Co To. Pack your bags and get ready to explore the unspoiled, charming beauty of the pearl island of Co To! Wish you a truly memorable and beautiful journey!