Hi,
Cat Ba & Coto are the interesting site in North Vietnam. As my opinion, after you have spent one day to cruise on Halong bay, visit caves and go swimming then you should choose one or two more nights in Cat Ba island. Here, you can choose to sleep on a private beach bungalow, go kayaking, swimming in clean water, visit hundred year floating village or go rock climbing…There is Lan Ha bay in Cat Ba island that will give you real relax time and unforgetable holiday.

1/ Cat Ba Islands is located in Hai Phong city. It is about 10 km South East of Halong bay. Cat Ba incuded Cat Ba islands and Lan Ha bay where many tourists love to come to trek in to Cat Ba national park or take a cruise to visit Lan Ha bay islets and beaches and floating villages
Cat Ba is the place between the forest and the sea blend , creating a one of a kind landscapes . Come to this beautiful island , visitors are not only bathed in cool blue beaches , but also can discover mysterious nature through primitive forests on the island.

Transportation:
You can come to Cat Ba island center ( Cat Ba town) by going to Hai Phong city, then go by speed boat from Hai Phong ( Ben Binh harbour) to Cat Bai town ( about 50 minutes on boat). There is a company called Hoang Long has daily buses from Luong Yen bus station in Hanoi to go package trip ( bus and boat) to Cat Ba island town. If you come from Ho Chi Minh city, there is a flight to come to Hai Phong city and then you go by speed boat to Cat Ba town.
You can come to Cat Ba by going to Halong bay, then take a ferry at Tuan Chau island to reach Gia Luan harbour in Cat Ba island, then take a taxi to Cat Ba town in 30 minutes more.
Many tourists are advised to take a package tour to visit Halong bay, sleep on boat 1 night then go to Cat Ba to sleep one more night in Cat Ba town or in a bungalow on a private beach.

2/ Co To Island in Quang Ninh Province is probably the most beautiful and romantic beach in North of Vietnam with transparent blue sea, white smooth sand, golden sunshine, and green mountains and forest.
There are many activities as follow:
– Hire a boat out to the island of enchantment Co and feel where wild air. You can rent boats at the beach asked North Van, a boat’s price 600000-800000 dong (follow route), each boat carrying about 12 people.
– If you wish you can contact Island to go fishing at night squid fishing with them.
– You can organize a barbecue on the beach. You should get up early to go shopping, buy seafood such as squid, scallops, clams … and dark roasted to bring out in the ocean. If the market does not go soon, you can order fresh seafood at restaurants on the island.

Transportation
From Hanoi, for buses to Cam Pha and Cua Ong at My Dinh bus station and Luong Yen bus station. Price is about 200,000 VND / turn. Automakers go best Vietnamese Hoang Thanh Long and Kumho (My Dinh bus station, 45-seat new car, starting 15 minutes / car journey with Hoang Long and 30 minutes / car trip with Kumho Vietnam Thanh). Time from Hanoi to Cua Ong about 4 hours.
Nga Ba Van Don (Bai Chay) is the point of the journey to Hanoi-Co. Go here, you catch the local bus Sea “The Dragon” to go Cai Rong.
If you take the bus to ask the Post Office in Van Don. From this location, about 1.5 km further to the port of Cai Rong. You can take taxi or walk to the harbor to rest for the next morning to Cai Rong by boat.
High speed train: Depart at 7:30 am, 12:30, 13:00-13h30 weekdays – between 75-90 minutes, rates ranged from 135000-180000 dong / time / person. (Weekdays and weekends).
Preset speed boat from Cai Rong take the number: 0979089012, from the Co at: 0978781423 or buy tickets directly at Coto Lodge (0978781423, 0,988,071,100).
So to avoid all ticket booking tickets on weekends, peak periods.