Co To Island’s Van Chay recognised as tourism beach

Co To island in Quang Ninh province

The recognition was issued by the provincial People’s Committee and will be valid for five years from the date of issuance.

This is part of the province’s efforts to standardise and improve the quality of local beaches to better serve tourists.

To be eligible for the status, the beach must satisfy a set of requirements regarding the quality of sand, transport infrastructure leading to the beach, supply of electricity and fresh water, safety signs, and rescue forces.

Quang Ninh now has many eligible tourist beaches, including five in Ha Long city. The best among them are the 200,000sq.m beach in Ha Long Ocean Park in Ha Long City, and the 15,000sq.m Luong Ngoc Beach in Cam Pha city.

Co To, a popular tourist destination off the coast of Quang Ninh, is renowned for its pristine beaches and abundant fresh, diverse seafood. The island, dubbed the “green pearl”, is one of the farthest inhabited islands, located 80km from the mainland. From Cai Rong port in Van Don, travellers can take high-speed boat trips that take just an hour and a half.

The island district is comprised of Co To Lon (large Co To) island, Co To Be (small Co To) island, and 15 islets.

Its attractions include its turquoise sea and tranquil beaches, along with a tropical forest eco-system almost in its primary conditions.

Large stretches of untouched, white sandy beaches are a key feature on Hong Van, Van Chay, Co To Be, and Thanh Lan islands, where the best beaches of Co To are found.

Thanks to such spectacular nature, the island district has been experiencing soaring tourism development. Statistics show that the number of tourists to Co To has surged in recent years. In 2013, the district welcomed some 56,000 visitors, with the figure going on to double in the following years.

Last year, the island served 320,000 tourists. During peak holiday months, Co To can welcome some 7,000-10,000 tourists per day.

Recently, a master plan for the socio-economic development of Co To towards 2020 was approved, aiming to make the island district a national-level eco-tourism and resort area. This would place it together with the high-end sea and island eco-tourism area of Van Don, and become a key destination on the popular Cat Ba-Ha Long-Van Don-Co To-Mong Cai-Tra Co tour with diverse tourism products, including sports and entertainment centres.

A plan for tourism development for 2020 with a vision to 2030 has also been approved, along with an action programme to make tourism a spearhead sector of the district.