Hon Co - an attractive island in the heart of Heritage

Hon Co is located at 20°52'54.45” North latitude and 107°10'9.95” East longitude, is a small island with a circumference of about 574m, an area of ​​nearly 23,000m² in Ha Long Bay. The name Hon Co, according to local people, comes from the fact that the island is covered with many yellow grass flowers in the summer, creating a brilliant, different scene. Despite its modest area, Hon Co possesses majestic beauty and special geological and geomorphological value.

Hon Co Island has its own charm and beauty, attracting a large number of international tourists in any weather.

Through sea erosion and natural weathering, Hon Co Island was created by unique limestone blocks. Inside the island is Hang Co - also known as Thien Canh Son Cave - an ancient fossil cave from the middle to late Pleistocene period (700,000 - 11,000 years ago). Hang Co consists of two interconnected compartments, a type of horizontal dry cave. The first compartment is small, creating a cozy feeling, the second compartment is wide with a curved vaulted ceiling, white limestone stalactites hanging like silk curtains. Natural light penetrates through cracks in the cave ceiling, combined with high humidity to create shimmering multi-colored light columns - a phenomenon that makes visitors amazed. The system of stalactites in the cave is diverse: stone curtains, stalagmites, stone bells, stone columns formed from the Holocene period, demonstrating the strong Karstification process of the area. This is not only a valuable destination for sightseeing but also has great scientific research significance. “Hon Co is less affected by mass tourism, especially ideal for those who love wild nature and seek tranquility,” said Mr. Doan Van Dung, representative of Sen A Dong Tourism, the pioneer in exploiting this route.

Inside the Grass Cave, also known as Thien Canh Son Cave.

From afar, Hon Co looks like a green oasis in the heart of the Cong Do heritage area - a place that is still preserved almost intact. The peaceful, pristine landscape here has become a highlight on the Cong Do - Hon Co - Vung Vieng tourist route, bringing a different experience compared to popular destinations.

Outside the cave is a steep limestone cliff, surrounding two main habitats: the mountainside and the cliff in front of the cave. The vegetation is rich with many woody shrubs such as thorns, red-leafed sedges, etc. In particular, the island has many endemic plants with high biological value such as: Mong tay, Kho cu dai tim, dau rao, si, fig Ha Long, etc., creating a rich ecosystem, contributing to the preservation of the pristine landscape. Recently, the island has invested in forming a large-scale botanical garden, with many species of beautiful, rare and valuable flowering plants. On one side of the island is a natural white sand beach stretching at the foot of the mountain - being planned as a new ecological beach. All of this opens up the direction for sustainable ecological resort development, creating a distinct tourism product right in the core heritage area.

Mr. Tran Van Hien, Director of Center 3 - the destination management unit said: "Hon Co is gradually becoming a new highlight in Ha Long Bay with the orientation of developing an ecological resort combined with landscape conservation and environmental education. We expect to attract international tourists who love nature and enjoy exploring biological and geological values".

Hon Co Island is green with vegetation and a long sandy beach covering the entire foot of the island.

Hon Co is located near overnight accommodations and the Cong Do - Vung Vieng tourist route, making it convenient for visitors to combine sightseeing. Here, they can kayak, swim, relax on the fine white sand or explore the cracks, sea ridges, and sand strips surrounding the foot of the rocky island - unique and attractive experiences in both summer and winter.

In 2024, Hon Co welcomed more than 69,500 visitors, of which more than 95% were international visitors. From Hon Co, visitors can easily access nearby eco-tourism destinations such as Cong Do Island, Tung Ang area or Vung Vieng fishing village - a place that preserves many traditional marine cultural values. The growing attraction of Hon Co shows the sustainable development potential of a pristine, unique destination in the heart of heritage.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/dao-hon-co-oc-dao-thu-hut-khach-quoc-te-tren-vinh-ha-long-3356262.html