Quang Ninh (VNS/VNA) – Co To Island is riding the waves in water-based tourism, unveiling a range of exciting activities designed to refresh visitor experiences and boost its reputation as a modern, green and sustainable marine destination.

Renowned for its unspoiled beauty — from pristine white-sand beaches to a refreshing climate and dozens of picturesque islets — much of the island’s potential had remained untapped. Some unregulated services had even damaged its image.

Meanwhile, demand for adventure and experiential tourism, particularly underwater activities, has surged. In July 2025 alone, the island welcomed more than 129,000 visitors, with water sports such as jet skiing, parasailing and coral diving becoming key attractions for younger travellers.

“Based on this demand, water tourism has been identified as a spearhead to enhance the island’s appeal, extend visitor stays and sharpen its competitive edge,” said Ngo Thi Minh Sao, deputy head of Co To’s Department of Culture, Tourism and Science-Technology.

This year, the island district launched a pilot project offering regulated water sports and inter-island tours, expanding activities like jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking and stand-up paddling (SUP) at hotspots including Van Chay, Hong Van, Vung Tron, Ba Chau and Co To Con.

New inter-island trips such as the 'Three-Island Tour' (Co To Con – Carp Islet – Lion Islet) and excursions to Tran Island are also taking shape, creating a connected chain of sea and island experiences.

To ensure quality, Co To has focused on improving services at its popular beaches like Hong Van and Van Chay while tightening control over spontaneous activities at Tinh Yeu (Love) Beach. Newly introduced products such as coral diving, kayaking and sunset canoe trips are brought under official management to guarantee safety and maintain the island’s reputation as a civilised destination.

Operators of inter-island tours are now required to meet legal standards, provide rescue teams and comply with environmental regulations. Notably, the island is piloting Net Zero tours in line with its 'Plastic-Free Island' initiative, creating eco-friendly experiences that minimise emissions from transport, accommodation and leisure — a crucial move for water-based products highly sensitive to environmental impacts.

Looking ahead, Co To has identified four pillars for its tourism development strategy: diversifying products (marine sports, island tours, night-time economy), investing in infrastructure (passenger ports, anchorages, regulated temporary docks), tightening management (curbing unregulated services, ensuring safety and environmental protection) and building human resources (training lifeguards, diving guides and water sports instructors to international standards).

In the long run, Quang Ninh province also plans to establish a marine reserve linked to Tran Island to sustainably manage resources while developing eco-tourism under controlled conditions.

With a synchronised strategy spanning infrastructure, regulation, human resources and environment, Co To aims to position itself as a leading green, safe and experience-rich marine tourism centre in Vietnam.

♒ Investing in water-based tourism is not merely about boosting visitor numbers in the short term. It is a long-term vision to solidify Co To’s brand as a distinctive and competitive destination on Vietnam’s coastal tourism map./.