Vietnam is dotted with islands with distinct charms. In this special feature, we visit Co To Island in the north and Thanh An Island in the south to explore their unique characteristics. On Co To Island, where the clear sea and abundant nature remain intact, you can enjoy beautiful beaches and peaceful moments. On the other hand, in Thanh An Island located near Ho Chi Minh City, you can encounter the daily lives of people who live alongside the sea and the picturesque scenery of a simple and warm fishing village. Although they are both surrounded by the same sea, their expressions are significantly different. On Co To Island, the breathtaking scenery captivates tourists, while in Thanh An Island, the traditional way of life still lives on today. Through these two islands, we introduce the diverse charms that stretch across Vietnam’s coast and the stories unique to each region.
The journey to Kotoi Island starting from Hanoi
From Hanoi to Koh Touch, it is common to use a limousine bus or high-speed boat. First, you take a limousine bus from the city of Hanoi to Ao Tien Port in the Van Don Special Economic Zone of Quang Ninh Province. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours and costs around 200,000 to 300,000 VND one way. Many companies offer shuttle services, so you can access the port relatively smoothly.
From Ao Thien Port, you can take a high-speed boat to Koh Tu. Using the Manh Quang high-speed boat, the round-trip fare is 700,000 VND. The journey takes about 90 minutes and the ship is comfortably equipped with comfortable facilities.
High-speed ferries operate multiple departures per day, but departure times may change depending on the season and weather. Therefore, we recommend that you check the ferry schedule in advance and make reservations. Especially if you are arranging the limousine bus and the high-speed ferry separately, it is important to allow enough time for arrival at the port and departure time. By arranging your schedule in advance, you can travel with peace of mind and smoothly connect with other transportation services.
When you depart Hanoi in the morning, you can reach Koh Touch by late afternoon. In recent years, transportation infrastructure has been improved, and it is now visited by many tourists as a popular island resort in northern Vietnam.
The blue sea and green scenery encountered on Kotoi Island
Clear blue sea, endless coastline, and lush greenery. Coto Island offers a serene landscape that you won’t find in the city. Explore the unique natural beauty of the island, where untouched nature and beautiful sea come together.
Kotō Island boasts crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches. Additionally, the coastline varies depending on the location, offering a unique view each time. There are numerous beaches scattered throughout the island, each offering a different landscape. Among them, Vom Si Beach is a popular spot with its beautiful rocky cliffs. The open-air café features wooden tables and chairs and comfortable cushions, providing a relaxing atmosphere. Watching the sea with a cup of coconut juice is truly unforgettable.
If you want to enjoy marine activities, Hong Van Beach is recommended. It offers plenty of surfing, banana boat rides, and paragliding, and is bustling with tourists. Vung Tien Beach, located just beyond it, is a hidden gem surrounded by tranquility. The abundant nature remains intact, and you can see people enjoying watching the sunrise and taking photos.
In the evening, head to Tin Yeu Beach. The scenery of the calm sea and the setting sun create one of the most beautiful moments of Koh Touch.
Getting around the island is also a fun part of the journey. The roads are well maintained, and lush greenery and fields stretch along the way. Each spot is relatively close, and you can explore them freely by renting a bike. Running along the nature-filled roads is another unique experience of Kotoi Island.
Lights that illuminate the island, a special night spent on Kotoi Island
Enjoying the stunning scenery is just one of the many attractions of Koto Island. In this article, we introduce how to enjoy the island’s journey, where you can experience the different expressions of the island at different times of day and night.
After enjoying the beautiful sea, we can enjoy the island’s night life. There are pedestrian-friendly areas and plazas in the center, where many people gather from evening until night. There are also plenty of outdoor photo booths where you can take photos, and food stalls where you can stop by casually. There are also many restaurants serving fresh seafood, so you can fully experience the island’s atmosphere while strolling around. There are also many restaurants serving fresh seafood, so you can enjoy them while relaxing by the sea. The nighttime in Kotō Island, which shows a different, calmer expression from the daytime, makes your travel memories even more special.
There are various accommodations available in Shimane, but the homestay we stayed at has a lovely design and is conveniently located for easy transportation. The room is spacious enough for two people to stay in comfortably, and the clean environment creates a pleasant stay. It is also well-connected to beaches and restaurants, making it ideal for sightseeing. The accommodation costs around 1.4 to 1.6 million VND per room (varies depending on the day of the week). It is recommended for tourists who want to spend relaxing time.
An island where fishermen live, about a two-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City
Tainyan Island is a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City. This island offers a peaceful sea and fishing village landscape, where you can enjoy a relaxed time that you can’t find in the city. Come and experience the simple nature and the unique lifestyle of the island.
Located approximately 70 kilometers from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, Thien An Island is a small island off the coast of Can Gio District. It is a 1 hour and 30 minute drive from the city center, yet it offers a peaceful fishing village landscape that is completely different from the hustle and bustle of the city.
To get to the island, head down Huynh Tan Phat Street and take the Binh Khanh ferry to Khanh. The cost of a motorbike is about VND 11,000 per vehicle. After that, walk about 30 minutes along Rung Sac Street to reach Thanh An Boat Station. Get on the boat and enjoy a short 30-40 minute trip to the island while the scenery of the mangrove forest and the vast estuary keeps changing before your eyes. You can also enjoy the journey along the way.
There are no resort hotels or large tourist facilities on Taunang Island. Instead, the traditional fishing village landscape is still carefully preserved. Walking along the coast, you’ll encounter a calm harbor lined with fishing boats and a simple townscape where locals come and go. It’s this unique charm of the island—not its glitz as a tourist destination, but the ability to feel the daily life of a island that lives in harmony with nature—that makes Taunang Island so special.
Even a day trip can be enjoyable enough, but it’s also recommended to spend a night and a day walking around the island and experiencing the quiet time that you can’t find in the city.
A peaceful island where the sea time flows in Tainan Island
In Taianan Island, where lush mangrove forests and the peaceful scenery of a fishing village stretch out, you can encounter the lives of people who live in harmony with nature. The quiet time that cannot be experienced in the city flows here.
The charm of Tauntain Island is not only the beautiful sea, but also the harmony between the rich natural environment and the people's way of life that can be found on this island, located in the Kanzer Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. The vast mangrove forests surrounding the island not only protect the coast as windbreaks and seawalls, but also serve as a valuable resource for nurturing diverse ecosystems.
One reason why Tainan Island still retains its rustic beauty is that it is part of the Kanser Forest Reserve, which is registered as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. To protect the natural environment, large-scale resort and tourism development is strictly restricted, and the traditional fishing village landscape and peaceful way of life remain unchanged to this day.
The embankment road along the coast is a popular spot for walks that represents the island. Walking along the calm sea as fishing boats pass by brings a pleasant breeze, helping you forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Along the way, you’ll find quaint harbors and quiet villages, making it easy to get a feel for the island’s daily life.
In the evening, the sea and sky slowly turn orange, creating an enchanting landscape on this quiet island. With its peaceful atmosphere that feels like it’s just a few hours from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, Thien An Island is the perfect getaway for those who want to slowly savor the beauty of nature.
The lives of fishermen living on the island of Tainan
The way people live alongside the sea is one of the unique landscapes of Taian Island. Even today, the way of life of those who live in harmony with the abundant natural environment while engaging in fishing and aquaculture is still being passed down.
On Tainan Island, the sea is not only a beautiful sight but also an essential element supporting the people's livelihood. For generations, the island's residents have been living by fishing and cultivating seaweed. At dawn, fishing boats leave the port one after another, heading for the day's fishing.
The port in the early morning is filled with activity as fish and seafood are traded. Fresh seafood such as shrimp and crab are shipped directly to the surrounding markets and restaurants. Today, people here continue to live in harmony with the rhythm of the sea.
In addition to fishing, there are also many families that raise oysters and clams. It lacks the convenience of urban areas, but the people on the island cherish their simple and warm way of life while helping each other.
The special charm of Taenan Island lies not in its famous buildings or bustling activities, but in the daily lives of the people who live there alongside the sea. There, a simplicity and unadorned beauty that are rarely found in overdeveloped tourist destinations are found.
