Independent Travel Experience to Coto Island, Quang Ninh

As more and more tourists seek to explore the pristine and simple beauty of nature, Coto Island (Quang Ninh) has become an unmissable destination. If you're planning a visit soon, pocket some useful travel experiences from the following article!

1. Where is Coto Island?

Coto is an island district consisting of over 50 small and large islands, situated in the East of Quang Ninh province, approximately 80km from the mainland. The Coto archipelago has immense tourism potential with its impressive natural landscapes, tranquil and sunny atmosphere, and diverse and unique seafood.

2. Places to Visit and Activities on Coto Island

Below are the eye-catching tourist spots on Coto Island that will captivate every visitor:

2.1. Beaches

Experiencing various beach activities (such as swimming, diving, sunbathing, and surfing) is an essential part of a complete trip to Coto Island. The island boasts many beautiful beaches, including:

• Van Chay Beach: The largest beach on Coto Island with fine white sand, refreshing clear water, picturesque mountains, and a pleasant atmosphere.

• Love Beach: Located in the town center, Love Beach attracts thousands of visitors with its beautiful natural scenery, vast white sandy shores, and crystal-clear waters.

• Hong Van Beach: For a day away from the hustle and bustle of the town, choose Hồng Vàn Beach on Coto Island. Besides its incredibly peaceful beauty, Hồng Vàn is adorned with numerous unique wooden structures for travelers to enjoy Instagram-worthy moments.

• Vung Tien Beach: Adjacent to Hồng Vàn Beach, Vụng Tiên exudes tranquility and romance. Spending a day lying on the smooth sand, diving to admire corals, and immersing yourself in the sea will undoubtedly replenish your endless inspiration for upcoming work or study.

The Coto archipelago is renowned for its stunning array of beautiful beaches.

2.2. Thanh Lan Island

Thanh Lan is the largest island in the Coto district, with countless naturally beautiful beaches such as Hai Quan, Ba Chau, and C76. Stepping onto Thanh Lan, visitors feel immersed in the rhythmic sound of ocean waves all day and night, enjoying the fresh and airy atmosphere and having the opportunity to experience the simple life of the local fishermen.

2.3. Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site

This memorial site was collectively built by the people of Hai Ninh province to express profound gratitude for the great contributions of President Ho Chi Minh. The site includes a statue of Uncle Ho in the middle of the square and a designated area for airplane landings. As of May 2022, the memorial site has been officially recognized as a special national monument.

2.4. Don Cao Historical Site

Visitors must visit the historical site of Don Cao, bearing witness to the brave struggle of the Ky Con Battalion against the French army. Not only does it provide an in-depth understanding of the glorious history of the nation, but it also offers tourists a panoramic view of Coto Island from above, thanks to its elevated position and an area of nearly 300m2.

2.5. Mong Rong Rock Beach

Mong Rong is known as a unique "underwater painting" where layers of sedimentary rocks naturally stack upon each other. Over the years, the sea has eroded the rocks, revealing a mesmerizing color palette of rare orange and green. Therefore, Mong Rong Beach is an ideal check-in point for every traveler exploring Coto Island, Quang Ninh.

From the first visit to Mong Rong Beach, every tourist is sure to be amazed by its captivating and majestic beauty.

2.6. Coto Island Lighthouse

With a history spanning over 200 years, the Coto Island Lighthouse serves the dual purpose of guiding maritime vessels and providing tourists with an easy-to-view panorama of the entire island. The pathway leading to the lighthouse is not only functional but also offers many breathtaking natural scenes, perfect for travelers to capture stunning photographs.

2.7. Primeval Choi Forest

Countless tourists are mesmerized by the indescribable tranquility of the Choi forest on Coto Island. Covering an area of over 10 hectares and conserving thousands of century-old Choi trees, the forest paints a green canopy across the sky. Some interesting activities to try in the forest include strolling along the love-themed coastal path, exploring the entire forest area, and learning about the diverse plant system.

2.8. Ky Con Pedestrian Street

If you don't have plans to visit Coto Island in the evening, take a leisurely stroll on Coto's pedestrian street. Although officially opened in 2019, the street attracts a large number of tourists due to its diverse array of delicious street food stalls and entertaining games suitable for various age groups.

3. What to Eat on Coto Island?

The beautiful Coto Island not only captivates visitors with its charming landscapes but also with the exquisite and unique dishes below:

3.1. Razor Clams

Razor clams were once a rare delicacy reserved for royalty. However, when visiting Coto Island, tourists can now delight in the delicious and crispy razor clams prepared in various ways such as steaming, sautéing, and grilling.

3.2. Horseshoe Crab

Most tourists appreciate dishes made from horseshoe crabs (also known as stone crabs) due to their elaborate preparation and nutritional benefits. Some delicious horseshoe crab dishes to try in Coto include salt-roasted horseshoe crab, tamarind sauce horseshoe crab, and salt and green pepper horseshoe crab.

3.3. Sea Cucumber

Similar to horseshoe crabs, sea cucumbers are also a nutritious delicacy favored by many visitors to Coto Island. Sea cucumbers are versatile and can be cooked in various ways, such as stewing, sautéing, making soup, and herbal stew, all of which are appetizing.

Sea cucumber is a highly nutritious dish.

3.4. Sea Urchin

Sea urchin leaves a special impression with its unique appearance and the artistic preparation by chefs. Whether served with spicy tamarind sauce or spicy green chili and salt, the final dish is always delightful.

4. Best Time to Visit Coto Island

April and May are the ideal months to visit Coto Island. During this period, the weather is beautiful, not too hot, and free from storms, making it perfect for sightseeing, exploring, and swimming.

5. How to Travel to Coto Island

For first-time travelers to Coto Island, consider the simple travel directions below:

5.1 Travel to Quang Ninh

Depending on personal preferences, travelers can reach Quang Ninh by motorbike, bus, train, or airplane. However, in general, the majority of tourists prefer airplanes as it shortens travel time and ensures maximum safety.

5.2 Getting to Coto Island

Firstly, travelers need to take a taxi or shuttle from the airport/bus station to Cai Rong port. Then, take a boat from the port to the island, with a fare of approximately 250,000 VND/one way (high-speed boat) or 95,000 VND/one way (wooden boat) for about 3 hours.

5.3 Getting Around Coto Island

Transportation options on the island are diverse, including electric cars, taxis, cars, motorcycles, and boats. Visitors can directly contact staff at hotels or guesthouses to prearrange rentals.

6. Where to Stay on Coto Island?

To best serve tourists, Coto Island district has developed various accommodation options such as hotels, guesthouses, homestays, with a wide range of prices from budget to high-end. Depending on preferences and needs, tourists can choose suitable accommodation and room types.

7. Notes for Traveling to Coto Island

To have a memorable and safe trip to Coto Island, remember the following useful information:

• Travelers planning to fly should proactively book tickets early to secure lower prices.

• In the evening on the sea, there are many mosquitoes, so tourists should bring mosquito repellent or insect repellent spray.

• Don't forget to bring a warm jacket because the temperature on Coto Island at night can be quite low.

• Carefully research the weather conditions during the visit to prepare appropriate clothing and personal items.

• Ensure personal safety and avoid participating in risky activities without protective gear. 

We hope that the travel experience to Coto Island (Quang Ninh) in this article will make travelers more confident for their upcoming journey. Don't forget to follow other informative articles from Vietjet to gather necessary knowledge, as well as visit all official channels below to enjoy numerous attractive promotional programs:

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