Major city · Vietnam
Co To IslandCô Tô
Go for 2 nights if you have an extra 3 days from Hanoi: the boat takes half a day each way and the island rewards slow beach time, not a rushed stop.
Co To is a quiet archipelago in the Gulf of Tonkin, 3–3.5 h by ferry from Cai Rong. The main island has white-sand beaches, a lighthouse viewpoint, rocky coves and a small fishing town. It is less developed than Cat Ba or Ha Long, so you come for calm, not nightlife. A permit is required for foreign visitors (arranged in Ha Long city in advance). Most travellers stay 2 nights.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- VND
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (typhoon risk, rough seas), Dec–Feb (cold, foggy)
- Airports
- VDO · HAN
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Vietnam ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Vietnam ↗Crossing streets: walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes flow around you — do not stop or run.
- Vietnam ↗Carry Vietnamese đồng in small notes; many stalls and taxis are cash-only.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Co To Island113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Co To Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?VND in small notes (10k–100k) for stalls, markets, xe ôm and tips at spas.Vietnam-wide
- SIM or eSIMViettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport and a face photo are required for registration.Vietnam-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Vietnam-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.Vietnam-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Vietnam-wide
- SafetyCo To is generally safe, but the main risks are rough seas (ferry cancellations), motorbike accidents on unpaved roads and mosquito-borne illness.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in cities and hotels; squat toilets and no paper in rural stops and on long buses — carry tissues.Vietnam-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 114 fire · 115 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday; the Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum is also closed on Friday and shuts for maintenance for about two months each year (usually…Vietnam-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVDO Van Don International Airport (About 50 km (31 mi) from Cai Rong ferry pier; taxi or shuttle to the pier, then the ferry to Co To.).VDO Van Don International Airport (About 31 mi (50 km) from Cai Rong ferry pier; taxi or shuttle to the pier, then the ferry to Co To.).
- Getting aroundRent a motorbike (about ₫150,000–200,000 (≈ US$6–8)/day) to reach beaches, the lighthouse and the Rock Garden.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBottle of beer (bia)₫10,000–20,000 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedCamping (bring own tent or rent), a night, per person₫50,000 (≈ US$2)
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in homestay or mini hotel, a night, per room₫600,000 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedPrivate room in homestay or mini hotel, a night, per room₫1,000,000 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₫600,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₫1,000,000 (≈ US$40) · High ₫2,000,000 (≈ US$80)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VDO Van Don International Airport (About 50 km (31 mi) from Cai Rong ferry pier; taxi or shuttle to the pier, then the ferry to Co To.) · HAN Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) (About 3 h by road to Cai Rong pier; most travellers take a bus or private car.)VDO Van Don International Airport (About 31 mi (50 km) from Cai Rong ferry pier; taxi or shuttle to the pier, then the ferry to Co To.) · HAN Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) (About 3 h by road to Cai Rong pier; most travellers take a bus or private car.)
- Phrases
- Vietnamese phrasebook
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Aug (18 rain days), driest Dec (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Co To Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Rent a motorbike (about ₫150,000–200,000/day) to reach beaches, the lighthouse and the Rock Garden. Walking is fine in town. No public transport on the island.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cai Rong (Van Don)
goDoor to door: 3–3.5 h
Ferry from Co To, about 3–3.5 h
The mainland gateway; continue to Ha Long or Hanoi.
Quan Lan Island
cautionDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Ferry from Co To, about 1–1.5 h
Less developed than Co To; check ferry schedules as they are seasonal.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Co To town centre
Most guesthouses, homestays and the Coto Lodge Mini Hotel are here, close to restaurants and the ferry dock.
Beachfront homestays
Scattered along Van Chai and other beaches; quieter, but you need a motorbike to reach town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₫500,000–800,000 (≈ US$20–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₫800,000–1,500,000 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₫1,500,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room in homestay or mini hotel1 × 2 nights × ₫600,000 | ₫1,200,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₫1,000,000 | ₫4,000,000 |
| Motorbike rental per day2 × ₫150,000 · check | ₫300,000 |
| Ferry Cai Rong ↔ Co To (one way)2 × ₫200,000 · check | ₫400,000 |
| Permit processing fee (foreigners)2 × ₫50,000 · check | ₫100,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₫600,000 |
| Trip total≈ ₫1,650,000 per person per day, bed included | ₫6,600,000≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in VND; flights and ferry excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bowl of phở or bún | ₫30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2) |
| Seafood meal at a local restaurant | ₫100,000–200,000 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Bottle of beer (bia) | ₫10,000–20,000 (≈ under US$1) |
| Motorbike rental per day | ₫150,000–200,000 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Ferry Cai Rong → Co To (one way) | ₫200,000 (≈ US$8) (check) |
| Permit processing fee (foreigners) | ₫50,000 (≈ US$2) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Foreign visitors must obtain a permit in Ha Long city before arriving; without it you may be fined or sent back.
- Ferries are cancelled in rough weather (common Jul–Aug); have a flexible itinerary.
- ATMs are scarce on the island; bring enough cash from the mainland.
- Mosquitoes are active at dusk; bring repellent.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 114
- Ambulance
- 115
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Co To IslandCô Tô
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Đến địa chỉ này, làm ơnTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Fire114
- Ambulance115
Embassy
Most embassies are in Hanoi; the nearest consulate for some countries is in Ha Long city (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Cai Rong → Co To: about ₫200,000 (≈ US$8), 3–3.5 h (check)
- Motorbike rental per day: ₫150,000–200,000 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi from Van Don airport to Cai Rong pier: ₫300,000–500,000 (≈ US$12–20) (check)
Say or show
- Xin chào — Hello (sin chow)
- Cảm ơn — Thank you (kam un)
- Bao nhiêu? — How much? (bow nyew)
- Đắt quá — Too expensive (dat kwa)
- Phà ở đâu? — Where is the ferry? (fa uh dow)
- Tôi cần giấy phép — I need a permit (toy kan zay fep)
Bring cash; no ATMs on the island.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Co To Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (typhoon risk, rough seas), Dec–Feb (cold, foggy) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Permit procedure page with official contact and sample form.
- Ferry schedule page with real-time cancellations and backup bus option.
- Motorbike rental page with verified shops and fuel points.
- Beach and lighthouse pages with tide and sunset times.
Sources
Ask about Co To Island
Loading…
Was this useful?