1. A brief overview of Co To tourism during Tet
Co To is an island district in Quang Ninh province, located about 243 km from Hanoi. To get here, visitors need to travel by road from Hanoi to Van Don, then take a high-speed ferry to the island. Compared to familiar coastal tourist destinations like Ha Long or Cat Ba, Co To retains its own pristine, rustic charm, especially during Tet.
If in the summer, Co To is vibrant with groups of young tourists, BBQ music by the sea, and water sports activities, then Co To tourism during Tet takes on a completely different appearance. The island is less crowded, the sea is calmer, the air is fresh, and the pace of life of the people is also slow and relaxed, truly in the spirit of spring. This is a very suitable time for those who want to "escape" the noisy hustle and bustle, find a place to rest, recharge their energy, and enjoy Tet in a gentler way.
Co To is an island district belonging to Quang Ninh province, located about 240 km from Hanoi. (Source: Collected)
The target audience suitable for Co To tourism during Tet is quite diverse. It could be a group of young people wanting a change of scenery at the beginning of the year, a small family wanting to take their children to the sea to experience nature, or even company groups organizing small-scale team building to kick off the new year. Not too noisy, not too crowded, Co To offers a feeling of 'going out but still relaxing', very suitable for a short spring trip.
Recent trends show that Co To is increasingly chosen during Tet, especially by those who are tired of traffic jams and crowded festivals. The combination of pristine beaches, increasingly improved services, and experiences focused more on relaxation than exploration has helped Co To tourism during Tet score points with visitors.
2. Weather and special experiences when visiting Co To in spring
2.1. What's special about Co To's weather during Tet?
One of the biggest concerns for people going to the beach during Tet is the weather. In reality, the weather in Co To during Tet is quite pleasant and has many advantages if you prioritize relaxation and strolling over swimming.
The temperature on the island usually ranges from 16–22 degrees C, warmer than many areas in the Northern mainland. During the day, there is light sunshine and clear skies, very suitable for walking along the beach, taking photos, and sightseeing. It's a bit chilly in the early morning and evening, a light jacket is enough.
Especially during Tet, Co To's sea is usually quite calm with few large waves. Although it's not the ideal season for swimming, it's a perfect time to admire the sea, listen to the waves, inhale the salty air, and enjoy a rare sense of peace. Afternoons spent by the sea, watching the sunset paint the water red, will surely be one of the most memorable moments of a Co To trip during Tet.
2.2. Spring colors on the island: temple visits, Tet markets, New Year's atmosphere
Not just the sea, Co To tourism during Tet also offers visitors very 'spring-like' experiences in its own way as an island district. The islanders still maintain many traditional customs during Tet, such as making banh chung, cleaning their houses, preparing offerings for ancestors, and visiting pagodas at the beginning of the year.
Truc Lam Co To Temple is a serene spiritual destination, visited by many tourists at the beginning of the year. (Source: Collected)
Truc Lam Co To Temple is a spiritual destination visited by many tourists in the early days of spring. The pagoda is located in a high position, with a serene space, overlooking the sea, very suitable for praying for peace and luck for the new year. The atmosphere here during Tet is not too crowded, creating a gentle, peaceful feeling in the true spirit of spring travel.
Besides that, the island market during Tet also carries a very unique character. Although not too large, the market is still full of fresh seafood, dried goods, sun-dried squid, yellow-striped scad… for tourists to buy as gifts. Going to the market on Tet day in Co To is not just about shopping, but also an opportunity to feel the local way of life, the friendliness and hospitality of the islanders.
Depending on the year, some small spring festival activities may be organized on the island with a community focus. Although not as grand as major festivals on the mainland, it is precisely that simplicity that makes Co To tourism during Tet much more familiar and pleasant.
How to get to Co To during Tet
From Hanoi to Co To in detail
The Co To travel itinerary during Tet usually starts from Hanoi with a distance of about 243 km. Tourists can choose to travel by bus or private car from Hanoi to Ao Tien port (Van Don). The average travel time is about 3.5–4 hours, depending on the traffic situation during Tet.
From Ao Tien port, you continue by high-speed train to Co To island. The travel time by train is about 75 minutes. The train runs quite smoothly, with little seasickness, suitable for both the elderly and young children. However, due to the high travel demand during Tet, you should book train tickets at least 1–2 weeks in advance to avoid sold-out situations or price increases.
An important experience when traveling to Co To during Tet is to closely monitor the train schedule, as weather can affect the schedule. Proactively booking tickets early and being flexible with time will help the trip go more smoothly.
Moving around Co To island
When the train docks, tourists will easily find electric cars waiting at the pier to take guests to hotels and homestays. This is a quite popular and convenient mode of transport, especially for those carrying a lot of luggage.
If you want to explore the island proactively, you can rent a self-drive motorbike or a bicycle. Rental prices during Tet may be slightly higher than usual, but in return, you get flexibility in your itinerary and the opportunity to stop at any beach corner you like. Some hotels and homestays also provide shuttle services or car rentals, you should contact them in advance for thoughtful arrangements.
Suggested 3N2D Co To Itinerary for Tet
Day 1: Travel – check-in town – explore night market
The first day of the Co To trip during Tet is usually dedicated to travel. From Hanoi, you depart early to reach Van Don, then take a high-speed train to the island. Upon arriving at Co To, the first feeling is usually pleasant: the cool sea breeze, the clear air, and a much quieter space compared to other crowded tourist destinations.
From Hanoi, tourists travel to Van Don and then take a high-speed train to Co To island. (Source: Collected)
After checking in, you can spend time strolling along the beach near the town area, walking leisurely, taking a few souvenir photos, and getting acquainted with the island's pace of life. In the evening, enjoying your first seafood meal with familiar yet unique dishes like grilled fish, steamed squid, rock snails… is an experience not to be missed.
Co To night market is quite bustling in the evening, especially during Tet. This is a place where you can snack, stroll, and feel the early year atmosphere on the island. Such a gentle evening will help you start your Co To Tet trip in a very relaxing way.
Day 2: Cau My – Van Chay – Hong Van
The second day is the best day to explore Co To's famous destinations. In the morning, you should wake up early to check in at Cau My rock beach – also known as Mong Rong. This is a place with unique geological strata, likened to a "stone paradise" amidst the sea. The early sunlight shining on the stacked rock layers creates a very impressive scene, especially suitable for photography.
On the morning of the second day, visitors should check out Cau My rock beach with its unique landscape. (Source: Compilation)
At noon, you can move to Van Chay beach. This beach is wide, with stronger waves than Hong Van, very suitable for light recreational activities, picnics, or small team building events. During Tet, Van Chay is not too crowded, the space is airy, creating a very satisfying feeling when strolling along the beach.
In the late afternoon, Hong Van is an ideal stopover. This beach is famous for its fine white sand, clear water, and many charming homestays. The sunset at Hong Van possesses a gentle, romantic beauty, making many tourists choose it as the "finale" for the second day of their Co To Tet holiday trip. In the evening, you can organize a light seafood BBQ or dine at a beachfront restaurant, enjoying the sound of the waves.
Day 3: Lighthouse – Truc Lam Pagoda – buy specialties
On the morning of the last day, if you still have enough energy, you should wake up early to climb the Co To Lighthouse. From here, the entire island panorama unfolds before your eyes with blue sea, forests, and small, pretty houses. This is considered the most beautiful viewpoint on the island and also one of the symbols of Co To tourism.
On the last morning, visitors can climb Co To Lighthouse to admire the panoramic view of the island. (Source: Collected)
After that, visit Truc Lam Pagoda to pray at the beginning of the year, wishing for a peaceful and prosperous new year. Before boarding the boat back to the mainland, you can spend some time buying local specialties such as sun-dried squid, dried sea worms, dried fish… as gifts.
If you have extra time during your itinerary, you can consider extending your itinerary to Sun World Ha Long – an entertainment complex located right in the center of Bai Chay. Here, visitors can experience the Queen Cable Car admiring the panoramic view of the bay from above, stroll on the vibrant Koi bridge, or experience thrilling modern games in Dragon Park. In the evening, Sun World Ha Long becomes even more vibrant with its culinary street and nighttime entertainment activities, very suitable for combining sightseeing and entertainment, making the trip more complete and full of colorful experiences.
5. What to eat when traveling to Co To during Tet?
5. 1. Fresh seafood to try
Speaking of food in Co To, the first dish almost every table orders is grilled oysters with scallion oil. The oysters here are medium-sized, thick-fleshed, and not fishy; when grilled, they blend with the rich, fragrant scallion oil, with a little roasted peanut and fried shallots. Eating them hot in the cool Tet weather makes them even more delicious. Some places also offer a variation of grilled oysters with cheese, suitable for young groups or families with small children.
Co To Oysters have thick meat, are grilled with fatty, fragrant scallion oil, and eating them hot is very suitable for the Tết weather. (Source: Collected)
Charcoal-grilled sun-dried squid is an almost "must-try" dish when traveling to Co To during Tết. The squid is dried for exactly one sunny day, so it still retains its sweetness. When grilled, it releases a characteristic aroma. Shredded and dipped with green chili salt or chili sauce is enough to make the dinner complete. Many tourists also take the opportunity to buy sun-dried squid as gifts because it is easy to preserve and very suitable as a snack for Tết.
Charcoal-grilled sun-dried squid is a must-try dish when traveling to Co To during Tet. (Source: Collected)
For those who enjoy experiencing "premium" specialties, sea worm stir-fried with garlic is a dish worth trying at least once. Dried sea worms are soaked until soft, then stir-fried with fragrant fried garlic. When eaten, they have a slight crispness and a unique sweet aftertaste. Although quite expensive compared to other dishes, it is considered a typical specialty of the Quang Ninh coastal region, especially suitable for enjoying in early year meals.
Dried Coto sea worm stir-fried with garlic has a slight crispness and a very unique sweet aftertaste. (Source: Collected)
Additionally, steamed razor clam with lemongrass and stir-fried fingernail clam are also two easy-to-eat dishes that suit many people's tastes. Steamed razor clam retains its natural sweetness, perfect for dipping with lightly spicy ginger fish sauce, fitting the spring atmosphere. Fingernail clam stir-fry is often made with onions, scallions, and garlic, offering a balanced flavor that isn't too greasy, suitable to eat with hot rice.
Steamed geoduck with lemongrass and stir-fried razor clams are two easy-to-eat seafood dishes that suit many people's tastes. (Source: Collected)
5 .2. Prominent Eateries and Night Markets
During the Co To travel journey on Tet holiday, choosing a place to eat is not too difficult as the town area has quite a few familiar seafood restaurants. Uy Thanh Restaurant is a name chosen by many tourists thanks to its spacious area, diverse menu, and relatively stable service during Tet. The steamed and grilled dishes here are highly rated for preserving the fresh taste of seafood.
Co To Oyster Eatery is suitable for young groups who enjoy a comfortable atmosphere and ordering many dishes to share. The oyster, grilled oyster, and stir-fried squid dishes are prepared richly, are easy to eat, and are moderately priced compared to the general level during the holiday.
Besides, the central seafood market is an interesting destination in the evening. Although not as large as the night markets in other tourist cities, the market in Co To is still bustling, selling everything from fresh seafood, ready-to-grill items to dried specialties. Wandering through the market, snacking on grilled fish and squid while feeling the Tet atmosphere on the island is quite a memorable experience, especially for those visiting Co To for the first time.
One point to note when traveling to Co To during Tet is that not all eateries are open throughout Tet. Some places may close on the first 1-2 days or only serve a limited menu, so you should ask the hotel reception, homestay, or contact them to book a table early to avoid being caught off guard.
6. Tips for an Economical and Complete Co To Trip During Tet
To ensure a smooth trip, booking ferry tickets, accommodation, and related services early is very important. Prices during Tet are usually higher than on normal days, but if you book early, you will have control over your itinerary and avoid unexpected costs.
Luggage should be light but sufficient, including a light jacket, swimwear, sunscreen, and suitable footwear for walking and climbing slopes. As ATMs on the island are limited, you should prepare enough cash for convenient spending.
For beautiful Tet photos, prioritize checking in early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light is soft and the space is less crowded. Brightly colored outfits will help your photos stand out against the blue sea background.
Finally, please pay attention to maintaining general hygiene, respecting the spiritual spaces and community activities of the local people. During Tet, fresh seafood may be more limited, so buying dried specialties as gifts is a reasonable and convenient choice.
For those looking for a different, gentle spring trip that still offers enough experiences, visiting Co To during Tet is definitely a suggestion worth considering. No noise, no crowds, just the blue sea, cool breeze, and slow moments to start the new year in a truly peaceful way.