Co To Island 2026: Beaches, Ferries & Travel Guide

Co To Island (Đảo Cô Tô) is a remote island group in the Gulf of Tonkin, now the Co To Special Zone of Quang Ninh province, reached by speedboat from Cai Rong Port in Van Don in about 1–1.5 hours. It is known for clear blue water, quiet beaches such as Hong Van and Van Chay, a hilltop lighthouse and the coastal Love Road. There is no entrance fee.

Status (checked October 2026): open to visitors as normal. All boats to Co To depend on the weather: the Border Guard suspends sailings when storms or strong north-east monsoon winds hit (most often July–September and in winter), so always keep a spare day in your plan.

Why Co To Island is worth seeing:

Some of the clearest water in northern Vietnam, far from the busy ports of Halong Bay.
Uncrowded beaches: Hong Van for sunrise and swimming, Van Chay for sunset.
Easy island cycling on quiet roads, including the seaside Love Road.
History: the monument recalling President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to the island in 1961.
Fresh seafood, from squid and mantis shrimp to sea urchin, at small family restaurants.

Co To Island at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Đảo Cô Tô (Đặc khu Cô Tô)
Location	Co To Special Zone, Quang Ninh province, in the Gulf of Tonkin north-east of Bai Tu Long Bay
Size	An archipelago of dozens of islands and islets with about 47 km² of land; the main islands are Co To, Thanh Lan and Co To Con
Distance	About 1–1.5 hours by speedboat (2.5–3 hours by slow ferry) from Cai Rong Port, Van Don; Hanoi to Cai Rong is about 3.5–4.5 hours by road
Known for	Clear water, Hong Van and Van Chay beaches, Co To Lighthouse, Love Road, Ho Chi Minh monument, seafood
Entrance fee	None; you pay only for boats, rooms, bike or motorbike hire
Time needed	2 days and 1 night minimum; 3 days is more relaxed
Best time	April–June and September–October; avoid storm days and Vietnamese summer weekends if you want peace
Nearby	Quan Lan Island, Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Don, Halong City
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor · Wikipedia

Is Co To Island Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you want beaches and open sea rather than a cruise among limestone karsts. Co To feels like the end of the line: low hills, fishing harbours, quiet roads and water that turns turquoise on calm days. It takes effort to reach, so it suits travellers with at least two nights to spare in northern Vietnam.

Best for: beach lovers, cyclists, couples and families who like simple island life, and repeat visitors to Vietnam who have already seen Halong Bay.
Skip if: you have only one day for the coast, you dislike boat journeys in choppy water, or you expect resort-style luxury.
Short on time: choose a Halong Bay or Bai Tu Long cruise instead; Co To needs at least an overnight stay.

History of Co To Island

Co To was long used by fishermen as a shelter from storms, but pirates made permanent settlement risky for centuries. Villages were established in the 19th century under the Nguyen dynasty, and the islands came under Vietnamese administration again after the French withdrawal in 1955.

On 9 May 1961 President Ho Chi Minh visited Co To; a large monument and statue on the island remember the visit. Co To became an island district of Quang Ninh on 23 March 1994. Since 1 July 2025, when Vietnam abolished district-level government, Co To town and the communes of Dong Tien and Thanh Lan have formed the Co To Special Zone (Đặc khu Cô Tô), one of two special zones in Quang Ninh alongside Van Don.

Tourism has grown quickly: local authorities reported more than 350,000 visitors in 2025, most of them Vietnamese and concentrated in summer.

What to See at Co To Island

1. Hong Van Beach

On the east coast, Hong Van is the classic sunrise beach: a long curve of pale sand backed by casuarina trees, with calm water on good days. Kayaks, paddleboards and simple campsites are available here in summer.

2. Van Chay Beach

Van Chay on the west coast is the sunset beach, wide and gently sloping, with a few cafés and seafood stalls. It is the best place to end a day of cycling.

3. Co To Lighthouse

Built on the island’s highest hill during the French colonial era and still in use, the lighthouse gives a 360-degree view over the island, Thanh Lan and the open Gulf of Tonkin. A short climb of steps leads to the viewing area; go in the late afternoon for soft light.

4. The Love Road (Con Đường Tình Yêu)

This narrow concrete road winds for a couple of kilometres along the western cliffs, with the sea on one side and green hills on the other. It is the island’s most photographed spot and perfect by bicycle or electric bike.

Coastal road on Co To Island, Quang Ninh — Quiet coastal roads are easy to explore by bicycle or motorbike. Photo: Motbit, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

5. Ho Chi Minh Monument

A large statue of Ho Chi Minh stands on a hill near Co To town, facing the sea, to commemorate his 1961 visit. Dress modestly and behave quietly, as it is an important national memorial.

6. Cau My Rocky Coast

On the south-east coast, wave-sculpted rocks in layers of brown and grey create a striking landscape at sunrise. Wear shoes with grip and stay away from the edge when waves are high.

7. Co To Con and Thanh Lan

Small boats take visitors from the main island to Co To Con, a little islet with clear water for swimming and snorkelling. Thanh Lan, a larger neighbouring island, is even quieter, with empty beaches and a fishing village; local ferries connect the two.

8. Co To Town and the Fishing Harbour

Co To town has the main pier, a market, guesthouses and seafood restaurants. In the evening locals and visitors walk the waterfront and the small night-food street where grilled squid is the speciality.

Costs on Co To Island

Item	Typical price (2026)	Notes
Island entry	Free	No ticket needed for beaches, lighthouse or monument
Speedboat Cai Rong – Co To	About 250,000–300,000 VND one way (about US$10–12)	Several departures a day in season; book ahead at weekends
Slow ferry	About 100,000–150,000 VND one way	Only one or two sailings a day
Bicycle hire	From about 30,000–50,000 VND per hour	Electric bikes and motorbikes also available
Boat to Co To Con	About 600,000–800,000 VND per boat return	Shared between your group

Boat fares are set by the private operators and change with fuel prices and season, so treat these figures as a guide and check when you book.

How to Visit Co To Island Step by Step

Travel from Hanoi to Cai Rong Port in Van Don by limousine bus or private car (about 3.5–4.5 hours via the expressways).
Take a morning speedboat to Co To; have your passport with you, as it is needed for tickets and hotel registration.
Check in, hire a bicycle or electric bike and ride the Love Road and the lighthouse in the afternoon.
Watch sunset at Van Chay and eat seafood in Co To town.
Start the next day with sunrise at Hong Van or Cau My, then swim or take a boat to Co To Con before your return boat.

How to Get to Co To Island

From	How	Time
Hanoi	Limousine bus or private car to Cai Rong Port, then speedboat	About 5–6.5 hours in total
Halong City	Car or bus via the Ha Long – Van Don expressway to Cai Rong, then speedboat	About 2.5–3 hours in total
Van Don Airport	Taxi to Cai Rong Port (short ride), then speedboat	About 1.5–2 hours
Cai Rong Port	Speedboat / slow ferry	About 1–1.5 hours / 2.5–3 hours

For the first leg, see our guide from Hanoi to Halong Bay, which covers buses and private transfers along the same expressway.

Best Time to Visit Co To Island

When	What to expect
April–June	Warm sea, clear water and fairly settled weather; the best overall window
July–August	Hot, busiest with Vietnamese holidaymakers; highest risk of storms and boat cancellations
September–October	Fewer visitors and pleasant temperatures, but watch typhoon forecasts in September
November–March	Cool to cold, windy and grey; sea too chilly for most swimmers and boats are often suspended in rough seas
Time of day	Sunrise on the east coast (Hong Van, Cau My), sunset on the west (Van Chay, Love Road)

Local Expert Tips for Co To Island

These tips come from years of arranging Halong and Bai Tu Long tours for international travellers.

Avoid Friday–Sunday in June–August, when boats and rooms sell out; midweek is far calmer.
Always plan one buffer day before an international flight: a single storm warning can stop all boats.
Take a morning speedboat; afternoon seas are often rougher. Bring motion-sickness tablets if you are sensitive.
Cash is still king on the island; there are few ATMs, so withdraw money in Van Don or Halong.
Agree seafood prices by weight before cooking, and choose busy restaurants.
Read our Halong travel tips and Halong food guide before you go, as most travellers combine Co To with the mainland coast.

Co To Island vs Quan Lan Island

	Co To Island	Quan Lan Island
Boat from Cai Rong	About 1–1.5 hours by speedboat	About 45–60 minutes by speedboat
Scenery	Open sea, cliffs, lighthouse, rocky coast	Long sandy beaches, dunes, old communal house
Crowds	Busy on summer weekends	Quieter, more rural
Culture	Ho Chi Minh monument, fishing harbour	Quan Lan Communal House and historic trading port
Best for	Cycling, viewpoints, clear water	Lazy beach days and village life

Our view: choose Co To for dramatic coastal scenery and the clearest water; choose Quan Lan if you want a shorter boat ride and long empty beaches with a touch of history.

Nearby Attractions

Quan Lan Island – white-sand beaches and a historic communal house in Van Don.
Bai Tu Long Bay – quieter limestone seascapes on the way back to the mainland.
Vung Vieng Fishing Village – floating homes and rowing boats in Bai Tu Long.
Thien Canh Son Cave – a cave above a small beach.
Halong Bay – the UNESCO-listed classic, about an hour from Van Don by road.

Northern Vietnam Islands for First-Time Visitors: Where Co To Island Fits

On a first trip, most travellers see Hanoi, take an overnight cruise in Halong or Lan Ha Bay, then head to Ninh Binh or Sapa. Add Co To if you have two or three extra days and want genuine beach time in the north, ideally between April and October. It also pairs well with Cat Ba Island for travellers who prefer islands to cities.

Plan your trip with our Halong Bay travel guide and Halong Bay tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Co To Island

1. Where is Co To Island?

Co To Island is in the Gulf of Tonkin in Quang Ninh province, north-east of Bai Tu Long Bay. Since July 2025 it has formed the Co To Special Zone.

2. How do I get to Co To Island from Hanoi?

Travel by road from Hanoi to Cai Rong Port in Van Don (about 3.5–4.5 hours), then take a speedboat to Co To Island (about 1–1.5 hours).

3. How long is the speedboat to Co To Island?

Speedboats from Cai Rong to Co To Island take about 1–1.5 hours; the slower ferry takes around 2.5–3 hours.

4. How much is the boat to Co To Island?

Speedboat tickets to Co To Island usually cost about 250,000–300,000 VND one way, and slow ferries about 100,000–150,000 VND; prices are set by private operators.

5. Is there an entrance fee for Co To Island?

No. Co To Island has no entrance ticket; you pay only for transport, accommodation and activities.

6. Can foreigners visit Co To Island?

Yes. Foreign travellers can visit Co To Island; carry your passport for boat tickets and hotel registration.

7. What is the best time to visit Co To Island?

April–June and September–October are the best months for Co To Island, with warm water and fewer storms than July–August.

8. How many days do I need on Co To Island?

Plan at least 2 days and 1 night on Co To Island; 3 days lets you add Co To Con or Thanh Lan and leaves a buffer for weather.

9. What are the best beaches on Co To Island?

Hong Van Beach on the east coast for sunrise and Van Chay Beach on the west coast for sunset are the best-known beaches on Co To Island.

10. Can I swim at Co To Island in winter?

Few people swim at Co To Island from November to March, as the water is cold and the sea is often rough.

11. Are boats to Co To Island cancelled in bad weather?

Yes. The Border Guard suspends boats to Co To Island during storms and strong winds, so keep a spare day in your schedule.

12. How do I get around Co To Island?

Bicycles, electric bikes, motorbikes and electric buggies are the usual ways to get around Co To Island; distances are short.

13. What is the Love Road on Co To Island?

The Love Road is a narrow seaside road along the western cliffs of Co To Island, popular for cycling and photos.

14. Did Ho Chi Minh visit Co To Island?

Yes. President Ho Chi Minh visited Co To Island on 9 May 1961, and a monument and statue on the island commemorate the visit.

15. Is Co To Island part of the Halong Bay UNESCO site?

No. Co To Island lies well beyond the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago, far out in the Gulf of Tonkin.

16. What food should I try on Co To Island?

Seafood is the highlight of Co To Island: squid, mantis shrimp, sea urchin, stone crab and abalone. See our Halong food guide for more local dishes.

17. Is Co To Island better than Cat Ba?

Co To Island is quieter with clearer water and more beach time, while Cat Ba Island is easier to reach and offers national-park hiking and Lan Ha Bay.