8 Tourist destinations in Co To, Quang Ninh, Vietnam

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No need to go far, right in the North of Vietnam there is also an island paradise called Co To – where the sun, wind, white sand and blue sea converge. Co To Island attracts tourists not only by its pristine beauty, but also by its special experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. In this article, let’s join Smile Travel to review the top most prominent tourist destinations in Co To that you must visit once in your life.

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8 Tourist destinations in Co To, Quang Ninh, Vietnam

Co To – a beautiful island located in the East of Quang Ninh province, has long been an ideal destination for those who love wild nature, blue sea and peace. Each location on the island has its own unique beauty, contributing to the unique charm of Co To.

1. Hong Van Beach

One of the most famous beaches on Co To Island is Hong Van Beach . This place impresses with its clear blue water, gentle waves and long stretches of white sand. The quiet, poetic scenery of Hong Van makes visitors feel like they are lost in a tropical paradise. Not only suitable for swimming, Hong Van is also an ideal place to relax with extremely romantic beachside bungalows.

2. Co To Con

A trip to Co To Island cannot fail to mention Co To Con Island – a small uninhabited island that still retains its pristine beauty. The sea water here is so clear that you can see the bottom, the sand is fine and clean, very suitable for those who want to find a quiet place to relax, camp or dive to see coral.

3. Van Chay Beach

In contrast to the gentleness of Hong Van, Van Chay beach has a stronger and more liberal beauty. The waves here are bigger, very suitable for sea sports activities such as surfing and volleyball. The beach is wide and airy, especially beautiful at sunset, when the red sun is slowly sinking into the vast sea. Traveling to Co To and taking pictures here, you will have to “burn out” the super beautiful pictures.

4. Co To Lighthouse

Co To Lighthouse is also a popular tourist destination in Co To . From the lighthouse on the top of a high hill, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the island and the vast ocean and sky. This is also an ideal place to watch the sunrise or sunset, with gentle light spreading across the deep blue sea.

5. Dragon Claw Rock Beach

Another must-see tourist destination in Co To is Mong Rong rock beach , also known as Cau My. This is an area with unique natural rock terrain, formed over thousands of years of erosion by sea waves. The layers of rocks stacked on top of each other create a majestic scene, a favorite check-in spot in Co To for many young tourists and photographers.

6. Special national relic site commemorating Ho Chi Minh

Perhaps not many people know about the special national relic site commemorating President Ho Chi Minh on Co To Island. But this is a very meaningful Co To tourist destination , where you come to visit and learn about history. Co To Island is also the first and only place that Uncle Ho agreed to build a wall when he was still alive.

7. Bac Van Port

Besides, Bac Van port is also one of the destinations that brings many emotions during the Co To tour . Bac Van port is peaceful with anchored boats, an ideal place to watch the sunrise or simply relax with the cool sea breeze.

8. The Road of Love

The love road with rows of rustling casuarina trees running along the coast brings a romantic and poetic feeling. This is a check-in location on Co To island that is loved by many couples and young people. When traveling to Co To , don’t forget to visit here.

With its rustic yet charming beauty, Co To is the perfect choice for those looking for a slow, close-to-nature and emotional trip.

What is the best time of year to visit Co To Island?

Co To Island (Quang Ninh province) is located in the Gulf of Tonkin and has four distinct seasons. Unlike the beaches in Southern Vietnam, which can be visited year-round, the most beautiful time to visit Co To Island, with its bright sunshine, calm seas, and crystal-clear water, is during the summer and autumn months (from April to the end of August each year) .

To help you plan and pack your bags more easily, here are the detailed travel dates for Co To Island:

1. The most glamorous prime time: April – June

This is the perfect time to explore this paradise island:

Typical scenery: Bright sunshine but not too hot, cool sea breeze, clear turquoise water. The waves are very calm at this time, with few storms.
The ultimate experience: It’s very safe to take a wooden boat/canoe to Co To Con Island, check in at Mong Rong (Cau My) rock beach, swim at Hong Van and Van Chai beaches , and watch the romantic sunset from the lighthouse.
Tip: May and June are peak summer months, with a huge influx of domestic tourists and high-speed train tickets often selling out. You absolutely must book your round-trip train tickets and hotel rooms at least 2-3 weeks in advance.

2. Weather monitoring is necessary during the rough sea season: July – August

This is late summer and early autumn, the scenery is still beautiful, but you need to be aware of the unpredictable weather:

Characteristics: The weather is characterized by intense sunshine interspersed with showers. This is the main storm season in Northern Vietnam . If a tropical depression or storm occurs, the port authority will prohibit all speedboats from departing for the island to ensure safety. Tourists may be stranded on the island or unable to travel from Cai Rong port for several days.
Survival tip: If planning a trip in July or August, you absolutely must check the weather forecast 3-5 days before your trip . If there are signs of rough seas or a low-pressure system, proactively postpone your trip to ensure safety.

3. Romantic and budget-friendly time slots: September – October

Co To Island in autumn has a very unique color palette, perfect for romantic couples or those seeking a healing getaway.

Characteristics: The weather is cool and pleasant, with a slight chill at night. Co To beach is extremely deserted, quiet, and peaceful at this time.
Major advantage: Room and service costs are significantly reduced . You’ll feel like you have the entire beach all to yourself. However, the sea water starts to get cold this season, so it might be a bit limiting for prolonged swimming.

Winter season to avoid (November – March of the following year)

At this time of year, Co To Island enters the northern winter season. The weather is bitterly cold, with strong northeast winds and dense fog, making the seascape gloomy. Most restaurants and boating services on the island are closed for the winter break.

Summary of tips for choosing the right time based on your needs:

For swimming and snorkeling to see coral reefs, the best time to visit the small islands is from April to June .
Comprehensive, affordable, and peaceful healing environment: Choose the September leg .
Getting to the island: You need to travel to Ao Tien International Port or Cai Rong Port (Van Don, Quang Ninh), then buy a speedboat ticket (approximately 250,000 – 300,000 VND/one way) and take a boat across the bay for about 1 to 1.5 hours to reach Co To Island.

Co To Cuisine

1. Co To Rock Crab

This is a unique and signature dish of the Quang Ninh coastal region that you’d be hard to find in Central or Southern Vietnam. The mud crab (Cù kỳ) resembles a regular crab in shape, but its claws are much larger, with most of the meat concentrated in the claws. The meat is very fragrant, with a rich, sweet flavor and is not at all tough. Mud crabs are often prepared grilled over charcoal, steamed with lemongrass, stir-fried with vermicelli, or cooked into a hot bowl of mud crab noodle soup for a nutritious breakfast.

2. Stir-fried razor clams with basil

Razor clams in Co To are quite large, with thick, round, meaty, and pristine white shells. After being caught in the underwater sandbanks, the clams are soaked, washed clean, and quickly stir-fried over high heat with garlic, chili, and especially basil . The sweet, crunchy texture of the clam meat blends with the fragrant aroma of basil to create an incredibly appetizing dish.

3. Co To sun-dried squid

Freshly caught squid, brought in at night, are skinned, cleaned, and then dried under the intense sun of the island. At this point, the outer shell is completely dry, but the meat inside retains its juicy, tender, and sweet texture. The best dish is grilled sun-dried squid over alcohol or charcoal ; when cooked, it emits a fragrant aroma, is torn into small pieces, and dipped in spicy chili sauce. The thick, chewy, sweet, and savory meat is delicious.

4. Co To Red Jellyfish (Ready to eat / Salad)

Dubbed the “white gold” of the island district, jellyfish in Co To are heavily harvested from February to May of the lunar calendar. The jellyfish are prepared meticulously, soaked in water infused with mangrove bark to create a reddish-pink color and maintain their crunchy texture. Jellyfish salad , mixed with shredded papaya, perilla, crushed roasted peanuts, and a sweet and sour lime-garlic dressing, is incredibly refreshing and excellent for cooling down in the summer.

5. Baked abalone / Abalone porridge

Abalone is one of the most luxurious and nutritious seafoods in this island region. Fresh abalone clings tightly to the underwater rocks around the small island and is manually harvested by fishermen diving. The abalone meat is crispy, fragrant, and sweet, and is best prepared as baked abalone in scallion oil sauce, abalone porridge , or chopped abalone cooked into a hot bowl to nourish your health after a long day at the beach.

6. Stir-fried fresh sea worms with garlic (or dried sea worms used in pho)

Sea worms (also known as sea cucumbers) are rare marine worms that live in tidal sandbanks. Historically, sea worms have been a famous delicacy offered to the emperor. Fresh sea worms, when stir-fried with garlic or betel leaves, have a uniquely sweet and savory flavor. Dried sea worms are considered “the king of MSG,” and adding just a few to a pot of pho or soup creates a deep, subtle sweetness unmatched by any other seasoning.

Suggested detailed and attractive 3-day, 2-night Co To travel itinerary

For those who are going to Co To for the first time, you can refer to the Co To tour schedule suggested by Smile Travel below. Following this schedule, you can visit and enjoy many beautiful places and beaches on the island. This is also the 3-day, 2-night Co To tour program for individual guests departing every Friday of Smile Travel .

Day 1: Hanoi – Ao Tien Port – Co To Island

06:00: Depart from Hanoi to Ao Tien Port, take a speedboat to Co To Island
11:30: Have lunch then return to hotel to check in and rest
15:30: Visit Uncle Ho’s memorial site
16:30L Swimming at Hong Van beach
18:00: dinner, free time

Day 2: Explore Co To Island

05:00: Wake up early to check in at Mong Rong rock beach, also known as Cau My rock beach.
07:00: Return to hotel for breakfast
08:00: Visit Co To Lighthouse
09:00: Swimming at Van Chay beach
11:30: Have lunch and rest
14:00: Choose to visit Au Cang or register for a tour of 3 Co To islands
18:30: Dinner, free time

Day 3: Co To – Ao Tien Port – Hanoi

Morning: breakfast, free time to visit and take pictures on the “love road”
10:00: Check out of hotel, move to Ao Tien port and take the highway back to the mainland.
Lunch
Afternoon: Return to Hanoi, end of 3 days 2 nights Co To island tour itinerary

Companies, organizations, groups,… need advice on designing Co To tours , beach tours – Private tours on request, please call +84 346190168 for detailed advice .

In addition, Smile Travel Company specializes in providing hot Northern tours and domestic tours at affordable prices suitable for both individual and group guests.

Contact Smile Travel to book a reputable and quality tour. Hotline +84 346190168

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SMILE TRAVEL CO.,LTD

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8 Tourist destinations in Co To, Quang Ninh, Vietnam