The magnificent Hon Co Island has officially and deservedly claimed its title as the “Green Heart” of the serene Bai Tu Long Bay. While the central part of Ha Long Bay becomes increasingly developed and busy, Hon Co remains a strictly protected ecological zone, nestled within the beautiful Cong Do Nature Reserve. It offers a wonderfully raw, authentic, and almost “castaway” experience that is now a top recommendation for Indian travelers at VietnamStory. Hon Co, which is also widely known as Grass Island, is a true hidden gem. Its name literally translates to “Grass Island,” a beautiful and fitting nod to its unique and lush botanical makeup that defies the typical “barren rock” look you might see on many other islets in the bay.
Why is it called “Grass Island”? Exploring nature’s emerald jewel
The name Hon Co is a perfect description of what makes this island so unique and beautiful. It is a vibrant splash of green in a sea of grey limestone and emerald water. Let’s explore its natural wonders.
Unlike the sheer, grey limestone faces of many of its neighboring islets, Hon Co is beautifully blanketed from its very base to its peak in a thick, natural carpet of vibrant green grass and other hardy tropical plants. In 2026, it remains one of the few special places in the bay where you can observe rare and beautiful rock-clinging ferns and wild orchids growing in their completely untouched, natural habitat.
The island also features a long and beautiful, crescent-shaped white sand beach. Located deep within the Cong Do Area (which is approximately 25km from the mainland), the water here boasts a much higher clarity than the main bay, with 8m-12m of visibility, and sees significantly fewer crowds than the famous “Vang Trang” beach at Titov Island.
With a perimeter of only 574 meters, the island is small enough to feel like your own private and intimate sanctuary, but it is large enough to house a diverse and beautiful ecosystem of local birds and vibrant marine life.
READ MORE: Bai Tu Long National Park: Ha Long Bay’s Serene, Untouched Twin
The jewel within: A visit to the Thien Canh Son cave
Nestled right in the heart of Hon Co Island is the magnificent Thien Canh Son Cave (which was formerly known as Co Cave). It is widely considered to be the most beautiful and ethereal cave in the entire Bai Tu Long Bay extension. This is a journey from a lush, green forest into a glittering, ancient cavern.
The “Ancient tree” hike
To reach the entrance of the cave, you will need to take a short and beautiful ascent up approximately 100 stone steps. In 2026, this path is beautifully framed by ancient, gnarled trees and unique rock formations, creating a wonderful “forest-to-cave” transition that is just as scenic and beautiful as the interior of the cave itself.
The three chambers of wonders
The cave is naturally divided into three grand and beautiful chambers.
- The “Banquet hall”: This first chamber is famous for its incredible stalactites that are shaped like giant, glittering “Gothic chandeliers.”
- The “Legendary” room: As you venture deeper, you will find whimsical formations that our local guides say resemble baby elephants, beautiful lotus flowers, and even a gathering of small “hamsters.”
- The secret viewpoint: At the very exit of the cave, there is a natural stone balcony that offers a breathtaking and panoramic view of the entire Bai Tu Long Bay. For photographers, this is a superior and much quieter alternative to the often-crowded summit of Titov Island for capturing that perfect “thousands of karsts” photograph.
Your activities: Going beyond the standard cruise experience
In 2026, Hon Co Island has become the definitive and most beloved hub for active and peaceful exploration in the beautiful northeast bay. This is your chance to get off the big boat and connect with the water and the landscape.
Kayaking in the Cong Do Lagoons
The area all around Hon Co is a designated “Quiet Zone.” This means that the large cruise ship engines are often cut here. This allows you to take a kayak and paddle in near-total silence through the beautiful hidden lagoons and under the natural rock arches. It is an incredibly peaceful and meditative experience.
Snorkeling and the health of the reef
Under the new 2026 marine protection guidelines, the beautiful coral reefs that surround Hon Co have seen a wonderful 15% recovery. This means that travelers can now snorkel in the clear, shallow waters and see beautiful schools of colorful reef fish and the occasional starfish.
Unforgettable beach BBQs and dining
While the practice of having “cave dinners” has been largely phased out for conservation reasons, Hon Co remains one of the very few special spots where some luxury cruises are still permitted to host a magical Sunset Beach BBQ right on the sand.
Vietnamstory’s tailored tips for Indian travelers
At Vietnamstory, we are experts at making sure every experience is perfectly comfortable, accessible, and enjoyable for our cherished Indian guests. Here is how we tailor the Hon Co Island experience for you.
- The “quiet luxury” route: Hon Co is primarily accessible via specialized Bai Tu Long Bay cruises (such as the Indochina Junk, Swan Cruise, or the Dragon Legend). We highly recommend this route for Indian families and couples who find the main Ha Long route to be a bit too over-commercialized and crowded.
- The easy access from Van Don: For travelers who are flying into the new and modern Van Don International Airport (VDO), Hon Co is located just 20 – 30km from the Cai Rong Port, which makes it a very easy and logical “first stop” in your beautiful bay itinerary.
- The photography golden hour: For the most breathtaking photos from the Thien Canh Son viewpoint, the best light is between 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM. This is when the low sun sets behind the distant limestone peaks, casting a beautiful, warm, golden glow over the entire bay.
- Your vegetarian dining needs: Because this route caters to smaller, more boutique travelers, the luxury cruises that visit Hon Co are highly adept at preparing delicious and authentic Indian vegetarian and even Jain-friendly meals. You just need to be sure to notify us at Vietnam Story at least 48 hours in advance so we can coordinate with the chef for you.
A quick comparison: Hon Co Island and the famous Titov Island
To help you understand the different experiences, here is a simple comparison between the two main island stops.
| Feature | Hon Co Island (Bai Tu Long Bay) | Titov Island (Ha Long Bay) |
| The crowd level | Low. The experience is very boutique and exclusive. | Extreme. This is a hub for mass tourism. |
| The main activity | A beautiful Cave Trek combined with peaceful Lagoon Kayaking. | A strenuous summit hike combined with a busy beach swim. |
| The cave quality | It has a pristine and intimate cave right on the island. | There is no cave on the island itself. |
| The trekking difficulty | Easy. It is just 100 gentle steps. | Moderate to Hard. It is a steep climb of 450 steps. |
| Distance from the shore | It is 25km out, meaning you are in quieter and clearer waters. | It is only 8km out, so there is much higher boat traffic. |
For our cherished Indian travelers who are seeking that perfect, serene escape into the pristine, untouched beauty of the bay, we cannot recommend our Bai Tu Long Bay cruise itineraries highly enough.
This is the journey we have specially designed to take you far away from the bustling crowds of the main Ha Long Bay and into a world of quiet tranquility and breathtaking natural wonder. Whether you choose our popular 2-Day, 1-Night cruise trip Bai Tu Long Bay for a perfect taste of the bay’s magic, or our more immersive 3-Day, 2-Night journey for a deeper exploration, you will experience the very best of this exclusive route. We will arrange everything for you, from your comfortable limousine van transfer from Hanoi to your stay on a luxurious 5-star cruise. You will get to kayak through the serene lagoons, explore the magnificent Thien Canh Son Cave, and visit the authentic Vung Vieng floating village, all while enjoying delicious meals tailored to your dietary needs. This is the ultimate way to experience the peaceful, exclusive, and truly unforgettable soul of the bay.
Conclusion
The story of your journey to this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site is a tale of incredible sensory experiences, and Hon Co Island is a chapter that engages them all. It is the story of feeling the cool, misty air inside the Thien Canh Son Cave, of seeing the breathtaking panoramic view of a thousand karsts, of hearing the gentle sound of your paddle slicing through the silent, emerald water, and of feeling the soft, white sand between your toes on a deserted beach. It is a complete and beautiful sensory immersion in the very best of what Bai Tu Long Bay has to offer.
Your travel story deserves to be a rich and multi-sensory one. Allow Vietnamstory to be your guide. We specialize in crafting seamless Tour Packages from India that are designed to create these kinds of full and unforgettable sensory memories. Reach out to us, and let’s start writing your incredible Hon Co Island story together.