The wilderness on Co To Islands, Vietnam
12/07/08 (GMT+7)
Co To Islands off the central province of Quang Ninh have over the past two years become a popular destination to tourists who want an escape from the noise and pollution in cities.
 Located around 60 kilometers from the Cai Rong Port, Co To Island District comprises three main islands - Co To, Thanh Lan, and Tran - and smaller ones and covers 4,000 square meters.
Local residents, mostly migrants from northern provinces, live in only two communes and a small town.
Living standards on the islands are much higher. The islanders now have access to electricity supply and asphalted roads, decent homes, automobiles and a crowded commercial town.
More and more people have come there for the love of nature, thus giving a much-needed boost to tourism.
Starting from the Cai Rong Port in the morning with tender breezes, visitors can spend an hour and a half to sail on the Bai Tu Long Bay where has mountainous sceneries like hundreds of baby dragons were sleeping on a giant green carpet. Then, travelers pass through the Doi entrance to begin an unforgettable journey circled by the sea.
Next they leave the boat on the Co To wharf, some 5,00 meters from the center of Co To District, to come to a local guest-house on busy streets with Uncle Ho's statue, markets and restaurants.
The attraction is not only known for a long, clear beach near the residential area but also for a green pine forest and a tiled road along the shore where locals love to take a walk at sunset.
For local residents, the best way to explore every corner of the islands is to hire a motorbike at VND80,000 a day and a destination which should not be missed is the solar-powered Co To lighthouse on the peak of a mountain not far from the town. Travelers can reach there through a winding road under the shade of the trees.
From the lighthouse balcony, visitors can get a panoramic view of the mountains and the horizon.
Another place of interest is the Bac Van military port, around 20 minutes from the lighthouse. Co To Island has two beautiful beaches - Western Van Chai and Hong Van.
Visitors can take a bus at Luong Yen or My Dinh station in Hanoi every one hour from the morning to 5.00p.m., or a later bus at Ha Long or Cam Pha station, then get on a Mong Cai bus near the Bai Chay bridge to reach the Cua Ong market.
Next, travelers will go to the Cai Rong port by a motorbike tax for a taxi cab. The boat departs at 7.00 a.m. everyday and the ticket price for a boat trip is VND70,000 a passenger.
Tourists can book a room at the district's guest-house, especially on the third floor to enjoy windy air and a beautiful seaview.
(Source: SGT, URL: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/travel/2008/07/792969/)
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