Co To is the first island in Vietnam to ban single-use plastic items, and indigenous people must comply with this law.
From September 15, Co To is the first island in Vietnam to ban single-use plastic items. Therefore, before going to the island, tourists must leave behind nylon bags and disposable plastic items before boarding the boat.

Also read: Discover Co To Island - The Blue Pearl of Vietnam's Northeast Sea

Charming Co To Island

The first island in Vietnam to prohibit one-time plastic items

Co To is famous as a tourist island with the pristine landscape of Quang Ninh and a rare place in the North with clear blue sea water, a view down to the bottom of the sea, and unique landscapes. Co To welcomes about 6,000 to 8,000 tourists yearly, so during peak tourist periods, the island must collect about 15-17 tons of waste a day.

This is not a positive sign for the island's environment. As a result, starting on September 15, the People's Committee of Co To island district, Quang Ninh province, has issued a document and regulations that forbid tourists from bringing nylon bags and items that are only meant to be used once, like plastic boxes, cups, and straws. To control the above situation, the district police and border guards will open checkpoints at Co To port to propagate and distribute paper bags to support tourists. The island also has free filtered water fountains to encourage people to bring mugs and water bottles.

This information is said to be a way to protect the natural environment of one of the most beautiful "pearl seas" in Vietnam. In addition, this ban also applies to people living on the island district, administrative offices, schools, markets, ships transporting goods, and catching seafood... Thus, on the island, soon, there will be almost no use of nylon bags, disposable plastic items or materials that pose a risk of polluting the marine environment.

It is known that, before issuing the official regulatory document, from August 2022, the island district also conducted propaganda and advised tourists and residents to limit single-use plastic items to recyclable materials. At the same time, waste collection is continuously organized at beaches and roads.

Currently, the beaches and rocks on Co islands reduce waste and create a clean environment. Another positive sign after this ban is that many rare marine animals, such as sea turtles, dolphins, and seagulls... have reappeared after continuously appearing recently. In addition, coral reefs are growing strongly, opening up a form of tourism that only exists on the Central Coast.

Hotels in the island district have the right to refuse if tourists do not comply.

In the current regulations, there are decisive options; that is, accommodation establishments and service providers in Co To can refuse to welcome tours, and tourists still carry plastic bags when checking in.

Read more: Green tourism campaign in the new situation

Currently, hotels and homestays on the island no longer use these items and have also added to their rules not to use plastic bags or single-use plastic items. Visitors can still bring reusable plastic products like bottles, toothbrushes, and toiletries. Some hotels have provided bamboo brushes, eco-bags, glass water bottles, and water purifiers for guests.

Visitors coming to Co To Island can stay at hotels with green tourism criteria, such as Co To Center Homestay, Coto Ecolodge and Green Co To Hotel, Co To Garden Hotel, etc.