Co To Islands off the central province of Quang Nin, located around 60 kilometers from the Cai Rong Port, is now a destination popularly favored by tourists when making their travel plans. Co To Island District is comprised of around 40 islands varying in size. Three of the largest islands are Co To Island (usually referred to as “Large Co To Island,”), Thanh Lan Island and Tran Island.

Despite of the growth f the country’s modern industry, the entire area remained deserted for a long period of time. Because of that, beaches in the large Co To Island are deserted and not polluted by modern industrial society. Trinh Sat Beach is typical with white sands and blue water as clear as crystal.

Though one of the farthest inhabited islands from the mainland, Co To is now experiencing an extraordinarily fast tourism development over the recent years. Co To became attractive to tourists who are keen on exploring and who have fascination for pure, untouched nature. Four years ago, it used to take up to five hours for travelers to reach the island. Today, an advanced, high-speed boat now reduces the travel time to less than an hour and half (costs VND150,000 or US$7 per person).

The untouched and pristine island once had a population of around 1,500 people. Most of them were fishing families. When the tourism sector made efforts to promote the area to visitors, developing the area in many aspects, living standards have also changed. Jobs on the island are changing towards the tourism sector and tourism services are now blooming. Fishermen are now serving tourism in different ways ranging from fishing adventures, kayaking and biking around the island. All these services are very affordable and would cost no more than VND1 million ($50). Motorbikes can also be rented for sightseeing at VND50,000 ($2.50). You can drive yourself to all the favorite locations within a day. Many new houses are sprouting up, transforming a landscape that was once covered with old trees and a few farms. The islanders now have access to electricity supply and asphalted roads, decent homes, automobiles and a crowded commercial town. Now, Five quality hostels have been built and listed in the local guideline book. Some locals have built new houses available for rent at around VND100,000 (US$5) to VND400,000 ($19) a day. But the speedy development also come with challenges. The growing number of arrivals makes it hard for the local businesses and facilities to cater the visitors’ demands. Some of the tourists would still prefer staying and dining at quality hotels and restaurants and would seek for amenities such as those offered in high-end hotels from urban destinations. The island’s present shortage of facilities and equipment, such as a national electric system, infrastructure and clean water, prevents locals and businesses from meeting such expectations.