A uniquely beautiful island in Quang Tri province, where tourists can enjoy three meals a day for less than 150,000 VND.

Located nearly 30km from Cua Viet port (Gio Linh district, Quang Tri province), Con Co Island (also known as Hon Co, Con Ho, or Hon Me) is one of the attractive tourist destinations that draws visitors to Quang Tri province.

Con Co Island possesses many geological, ecological, and scenic values, and is considered a natural museum with unique basalt rock formations along the coast, and pristine small beaches formed from shells, scallops, sand, and coral fragments…

According to the Vietnam National Tourism Administration's website, Con Co Island, situated across the 17th parallel, is not only a strategic outpost protecting national sovereignty but also one of the rare and beautiful islands in Central Vietnam.

With an area of ​​approximately 2.3 km², of which more than 70% is primary forest, Con Co Island is one of the few places in Vietnam where the three-tiered tropical forest ecosystem is preserved almost intact.

Therefore, when visiting this island, tourists should not miss one of the exciting experiences here: exploring the primeval forest in the middle of the sea, enjoying the fresh air, and discovering the rich flora and fauna on the island.

Having the opportunity to visit Con Co Island in the summer, Mr. Hoai An (from Dong Ha City) said he was very impressed with the pristine and beautiful natural scenery. From Dong Ha City, he traveled by taxi to Cua Viet port, arriving at 7 am, for 200,000 VND.

For those who want more control over their itinerary, visitors can travel to the island by private vehicle and leave it overnight at Cua Viet port.

From the port, tourists continue by boat to Con Co Island. The ticket price is 220,000 VND per person per way, and the journey takes about an hour. Tourists can book tickets in advance or buy them directly on the boat.

According to Mr. Hoai An, for convenient travel around the island according to their desired schedule, tourists can rent electric vehicles for about 300,000 VND/vehicle/day (usually from 10 am the day before to 7 am the next day), or rent bicycles at Thanh Nien Village for less than half the price.

Because Con Co Island is a small island, visitors can easily cycle or drive around to explore it without spending too much time or effort.

On Con Co Island, in addition to its lush, fresh green spaces, there are many attractive destinations waiting for tourists to explore, such as: the National Flagpole, Da Den Beach, Huong River Wharf, Con Co Lighthouse, Tranh Wharf, etc.

In 2024, Con Co Island district further developed several new tourism products such as: sightseeing around the island by glass-bottom boat (cost approximately 150,000 VND/person, maximum 30 guests), snorkeling to admire coral reefs (depending on the time of year), bonfires, and cultural and artistic exchanges between tourists and the military and civilians on the island;

Several tourist facilities have been renovated, including the restoration of the Thai Van A observation tower, the upgrading of Ben Nghe wharf, and attractions such as the Bang Vuong cluster, the military medical bunker, and the traditional house, to meet the diverse experiential needs of tourists.

Cuisine is also a major attraction for tourists visiting the island, as it boasts many delicious seafood dishes that are difficult to find or enjoy on the mainland, such as king oysters and local snails.

"When you come here, you must try the unique specialties of Con Co Island, made from fresh seafood ingredients such as refreshing fish porridge, seaweed salad, king oysters, or freshwater snails. The food here is not only delicious but also affordable; the cost of three meals might not even exceed 150,000 VND," An suggested.

At the end of his 2-day, 1-night trip to Con Co Island, Mr. An estimated the total cost to be around 1.5 million VND per person, including: 440,000 VND for round-trip ferry tickets; 200,000 VND for a taxi from Dong Ha to Cua Viet port; 500,000 VND for one night's accommodation, and the rest for food and drinks.

If you have the opportunity to visit Con Co Island, you can buy dried seafood or some rare medicinal herbs as gifts for your relatives and family, such as Con Co Gynostemma pentaphyllum; wild ginseng...

However, visitors should also keep in mind a few things to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, such as: bringing identification documents, motion sickness medication, insect repellent, and sunscreen; using soft drinks sparingly and wisely; not taking photos, videos, or flying drones in prohibited areas; and not catching or eating rock crabs…

Thao Trinh