COTO ISLAND TRAVEL GUIDE FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS

Coto island is located in Co To Island Dist, Quang Ninh Province, 170 kilometres Northeast of Hanoi. The island is considered to have the most beautiful beaches in Northern Vietnam, together with Quan Lan island . Coming to the island, you’ll have chance to experience long white sandy beach, and see spectacular sunset view from Coto lighthouse.

Things to see in Coto island

• Hong Vang beach in Coto island
• Coto light house : The most common place for taking panoramic view of the whole island
• Hong Van beach : It is located in the east of the island and 8 kilometers away from the town. It costs 6USD by motortaxi from the heart of the town to get there.
• Vang Chay beach : Located in the end of the island. An ideal place for watching the sunset
• Cau My Reef rock : A cool place for taking sunrise photography in the island
• Small Coto island : The best place for swimming in the island with desserted beaches.
• Love of road : A quite romantic place for couples to walk and take a bike ride
• Uncle Ho’ memorial house : Built in 1968, which is only 50 metres from seashore. Located in Zone no 3, Coto town,  it is a relic complex in Coto island includes monument, stele pavilion, memorial house of Uncle Ho

Best time to travel to Co To island

The best time to visit the island is from early August to early November, the low season for domestic tourists. There will be plenty of Vietnamese tourists travelling during the summer time, from May to July, especially on the weekend from Friday to Sunday.

Hanoi to Coto island

Stage 1 : Take a bus/minivan from Hanoi to Cai Rong port

From Hanoi, you have lots of choices with 30 daily departures, arriving in Van Don within 3.5 to 4 hours depending on traffic. There are five companies to choose from: Tam Bao Anh, Coto Ha Thanh, Van Don Xanh, Trung Thanh Limousine, Ninh Quynh Vip Car.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi or private car from Hanoi to Van Don, which costs around $130 USD to $140 USD one way by travelling via the new Expressway from Hanoi.

Stage 2 : Take a speed boat from Ao Tien port to Coto island

After lunch, walk to the ticket office; there are a few choices there based on the schedule. It takes an hour to get to Coto Island.

If you have flexible budget, highly recommend Tuan Chau express  which is the best option for a speed boat from Ao Tien port to Coto island

Note : Ao Tien (Google Cang Cao Cap Ao Tien for the exact location, around 4 miles from the old one) is a new port for taking a speed boat from Van Don to Coto island. The old one called Cai Rong port is no longer used for speed boat to Coto island

Stage 3 : An electric car ride from the dock to your accommodation

Upon arrival at the island, please take a electric car hotel, they will charge 1USD/ per kilometer. Every trip is under 2 kilometres will be charged at least 2 USD. On the other hand, please get in touch with your hotel where you stay to arrange a pick up at the port. Please send them your minivan & speed boat schedule to arrange the pick up by tuk tuk at the port in Co To Island

Havaco company also offer the Catamaran cruise from Cai Rong port to Coto island, which takes 1 hour and 15 minute.

Schedule and rate for Catamaran cruise from/to Van Don (Ao Tien port)

From Van Don : 7.00am, 11.00am, 13.30pm

From Coto island to Van Don : 8.00am, 12.30pm, 14.30pm

Rate : 250,000VND ($12 USD) per ticket per way

Hanoi to Coto island by motorbike

Getting to the island on a motorbike is a fun, easy and flexible way to get to Coto island. You can stop wherever you want to relax, take photos. Because of the long distance, I do recommend travelling with one big backpack per person only. If you are experienced in driving around Vietnam, there is no problem. To be honest, the traffic in Vietnam is quite a challenge.

From Hanoi to Cai Rong is 200km or 125 miles. You first get to the national Highway No 1, then No 18. Turn left at the intersection of Tuan Chau – Bai Chay. Then keep going straight to the intersection of Van Don.

Take a right turn and cross Van Don bridge. You can choose to leave the bike at the port, the parking fee is around 20k per day or brings it with you to the island

There are two options of going to the island, either by speed boat or wooden boat.

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