Co To Island, the green pearl of Quang Ninh, is an ideal destination for those who love blue sea, white sand, and fresh seafood. Only about 200km from Hanoi, a 2-day-1-night self-guided tour to Co To offers a complete experience with Cau My rock beach, lighthouse, and island-style meals. This article provides a detailed itinerary for 2025, practical experiences, and cost-saving tips, suitable for beginners, professional travelers, and food lovers. Let's explore Co To through this emotional journey!
Why choose a self-guided tour to Co To for 2 days and 1 night?
Co To stands out with its wild beauty, clear blue beaches, and fresh air. With 2 days and 1 night, you can explore famous check-in spots such as Cau My rock beach, Love Road, and enjoy seafood such as dried squid, geoducks, and jellyfish salad. Independent travel helps you be flexible with your time, save money compared to package tours, and freely hunt for delicious dishes. In 2025, with the development of tourism services and Ky Con walking street, Co To promises to bring a more unique experience than ever.
FAQ: Is 2 days 1 night enough to explore Co To? With a reasonable schedule, you will fully experience the scenery, cuisine, and interesting activities. Let's start the journey!
Prepare before your self-guided tour to Co To 2025
To make your trip smooth and economical, you need to prepare carefully. Here are the specific steps:
Ideal time: April-June is the peak season, the weather is warm, the sea is calm, suitable for swimming and snorkeling. September-October is also ideal with cool weather, little rain. Avoid July-August because of storms. Check the weather forecast 7 days in advance via the AccuWeather app and book early to avoid high prices.
Transportation: From Hanoi, take a bus (200,000-250,000 VND/trip, Xuan Truong, Kumho Viet Thanh) or limousine (400,000 VND/trip) to Cai Rong port (4-5 hours). From the port, take a speedboat (230,000-400,000 VND/round trip, Havaco, Kalong) to the island (1.5-2 hours). On the island, rent a motorbike (150,000-200,000 VND/day) or an electric car (500,000 VND/day/10 people). From the South, fly to Hanoi/Hai Phong (1,200,000-2,500,000 VND) and continue your journey.
Finance: Estimate 1,500,000-2,500,000 VND/person (transportation, food, accommodation, entrance tickets). Bring 500,000 VND in cash/person and a bank card (ATMs are common in Co To town).
Accommodation: Book a homestay (VND 300,000-700,000/night, The Bkira, Coto Eco Lodge) or a 2-3 star hotel (VND 600,000-1,200,000/room/night, Coto Hotel Group) via Traveloka, Booking. Choose accommodation near town for easy travel.
Luggage: Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (SPF 50+), sneakers, anti-seasickness medicine, first aid kit. Prepare snacks (bread, sticky rice, 50,000 VND) and drinking water (2 bottles of 500ml) to save money when traveling far.
Supported applications: Google Maps, Vietmap for location; Foody for finding restaurants; Traveloka, Klook for booking train tickets, hotels. Download offline map of Co To for use when there is no internet.
Tip: Always ask for prices before buying food or specialties. Book return train tickets early to avoid sold out during peak season.
Detailed 2-day-1-night Co To travel itinerary 2025
The itinerary is designed to explore the highlights and enjoy the unique cuisine of Co To, from Cau My rock beach to grilled seafood. Use a motorbike to optimize the experience. Here is the detailed plan:
Day 1: Hanoi – Cai Rong Port – Co To – Cau My Rock Beach – Ky Con Walking Street
5:00: Depart from Hanoi
Take a bus/limousine from Hanoi to Cai Rong port (200,000-400,000 VND/trip, 4-5 hours). Stop for breakfast in Hai Duong (bun rieu, pho, 30,000-50,000 VND/meal). Arrive at Cai Rong port around 10:00, buy a speedboat ticket (230,000 VND/trip, Havaco) at 12:15 to Co To island.
13:30: Arrive in Co To – Check in and have lunch
The ship arrives at Co To port, check in at homestay/hotel (300,000-1,200,000 VND/night). Rent a motorbike (150,000 VND/day) to get around. Have lunch at Co Nghia restaurant (central area) with seafood noodles (35,000-50,000 VND/meal) or crab fried rice (100,000 VND/meal).
15:00: Cau My Rock Beach – Love Road
Ride a motorbike to Cau My rock beach (7km, free), check-in with unique sedimentary rocks and watch the sunset. Continue to Love Road (2km from the center, free), walk under the green trees and take romantic photos. Visiting time is about 2 hours.
18:30: Ky Con Walking Street – Grilled seafood
Have dinner at Ky Con walking street (7pm-11pm, free), enjoy grilled seafood such as squid, crab, mantis shrimp (150,000-250,000 VND/person) at Sua or Thanh Uy restaurant. Stroll around, buy dried specialties (sun-dried squid 500,000 VND/kg) and drink coffee at Co To Santorini Bar (50,000 VND/cup). Stay overnight in Co To.
Day 2: Lighthouse – Co To Con Island – Return to Hanoi
5:30: Watch the sunrise and have breakfast
Wake up early, ride a motorbike to Cau My rock beach to watch the sunrise (free). Have breakfast at Co Nghia restaurant with seafood sticky rice or clam porridge (30,000-50,000 VND/meal).
7:00: Co To Lighthouse
Ride a motorbike to Co To lighthouse (5km, free), climb 72 steps to see the whole island from a height of 100m. Take photos with the blue sea and primeval forest. Visit time is about 1 hour.
9:00: Co To Con Island
Take a wooden boat from Co To port to Co To Con island (200,000 VND/person/round trip, contact Mr. Thuy at 0914.79.1979). Swim in the sea, snorkel to see coral (rent diving goggles 50,000 VND), and take photos with the pristine white sand beach. Bring snacks (bread, 50,000 VND) to save money. Tour time is about 2 hours.
12:00: Lunch and buy specialties
Return to the main island, have lunch at Uy Thanh restaurant with seafood hotpot (200,000 VND/person). Go to the market near the port to buy dried squid (500,000 VND/kg), geoduck (300,000 VND/kg) as gifts. Pack in styrofoam boxes (20,000 VND/box) for storage.
13:30: Back to Hanoi
Check out of homestay/hotel. Take the speedboat (230,000 VND/trip, 14:30) to Cai Rong port. From the port, take a bus to Hanoi (200,000-250,000 VND, 4-5 hours). Arrive in Hanoi around 21:00, end of trip.
Compare independent travel and package tours
To choose the right form, below is a comparison table between independent travel and package tours:
| Criteria | Independent travel | Package tour |
|---|---|---|
| Expense | 1,500,000-2,500,000 VND/person (transportation, food, accommodation, tickets) | 1,960,000-3,000,000 VND/person (including car, train, food, accommodation) |
| Flexible | High, free to arrange schedule | Low, fixed schedule |
| Experience | Authentic, close to local culture | Convenient, with tour guide to share knowledge |
| Suitable for | Young, experienced, love food | Newbies, families, large groups |
Tips: Self-guided tours are ideal for groups who love to explore and eat, with costs 20-30% lower. Package tours are suitable for beginners or businesses organizing team building (for example: Song Hong Tourist, prices from 1,960,000 VND/person). Book tours through reputable companies to ensure quality.
Tips to save money when traveling independently to Co To 2025
To optimize costs, apply the following tips:
Choose a reasonable restaurant: Eat at a cheap restaurant like Co Nghia, Uy Thanh (30,000-200,000 VND/meal) instead of a high-end restaurant. Buy fresh seafood at the morning market to cook yourself, saving 15-20%.
Group travel: Share the cost of homestay, motorbike, train to reduce 20-30% of personal expenses.
Smart shopping: Negotiate prices for specialties at the market, buy early in the morning to get fresh products and good prices (10-15% discount).
Free priority points: Visit Cau My rock beach, Love road, Ky Con walking street to save on ticket costs.
Note: Bring anti-seasickness medicine and check the weather to avoid being stuck due to storms. Contact the port authority (0936.999.686) if you need assistance.
Experience unique cuisine in Co To
Co To is famous for its fresh and affordable seafood. Here are some dishes not to be missed:
Dried squid: Grilled with salt and chili, price 500,000 VND/kg, delicious, rich in sea flavor (Sua restaurant, Uy Thanh).
Jellyfish salad: Fresh and crispy, price 100,000 VND/serving, served with herbs and special dipping sauce.
Geoduck: Steamed with lemongrass, price 300,000 VND/kg, sweet meat, suitable for BBQ dinner.
Seafood noodles: Price 35,000-50,000 VND/serving, sweet broth (Co Nghia restaurant).
Grilled mantis shrimp: Price 200,000 VND/kg, fatty, served with green chili salt.
Tip: Go in groups of 4-6 to order seafood combo, save 20% compared to ordering individually. Ask for the price before ordering to avoid being charged incorrectly.
Fun activities in Co To
Besides sightseeing, Co To has many interesting activities:
Coral diving: At Co To Con Island, rent diving goggles (50,000 VND) or take a diving tour (300,000 VND/person).
Kayaking: At Hong Van beach, price 100,000 VND/hour, suitable for groups of friends.
BBQ camping: Organized at Van Chay beach, rent a tent (200,000 VND/tent) and buy seafood yourself (150,000 VND/person).
Check-in for virtual life: Cau My rock beach, lighthouse, and Love road are the most beautiful photo spots.
Tip: Book kayaking or camping through the homestay to get a 10-15% discount. Bring spare batteries for taking photos.
Frequently asked questions when traveling to Co To
1. What is special about Co To?
Co To stands out with its blue sea, white sand, Cau My rock beach, lighthouse, and fresh seafood such as dried squid and geoducks.
2. Is 2 days 1 night enough to explore?
Enough to visit main attractions such as Cau My rock beach, lighthouse, Co To Con island, and enjoy cuisine with a reasonable schedule.
3. How much does the trip cost?
Self-sufficient about 1,500,000-2,500,000 VND/person, package tour from 1,960,000-3,000,000 VND/person.
4. Are there any special preparations required?
Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and motion sickness medication. Book train tickets and homestays early, and check the weather before your trip.
5. What to do if there is a storm?
Check the weather forecast 7 days in advance. If a storm is coming, stay in the hotel, follow the instructions of the authorities or contact the port authority (0936.999.686).
Conclusion: 2 days 1 night journey to explore and eat in Co To
Traveling to Co To Island for 2 days and 1 night is a great opportunity to enjoy the pristine nature, check-in at the highlights, and enjoy fresh seafood. With a detailed itinerary, practical experience, and cost-saving tips for 2025, you are ready to go. Pack your bags, book your train tickets, and explore Co To Island today!
Source: https://baodanang.vn/review-du-lich-co-to-2-ngay-1-dem-ngam-view-trieu-do-trai-nghiem-ky-quan-thien-duong-day-bien-3265660.html
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