Updated collection of things to do in Cao Bang province, Vietnam

I. Where is Cao Bang Vietnam ?

Cao Bang is a mountainous district in Northeast Vietnam, which has a border with Quang Tay District, China. It is 6703.42 square kilometers large and above 200 meters high above the water sea level. Some parts in the Northern pole can reach a height of 1300 meters. The attraction has a specific diversity in tourism resources, together with a combination of different ethnic minorities in culture. Therefore, the tour to the land is always attractive with different choices of Cao Bang things to do.

II. Best time to visit Cao Bang

Every season, Cao Bang has a different attractiveness thanks to the change in sceneries and also the weather. Therefore, if it is the first time you pay a visit to the province, Cao Bang what to do will give you certain impressions at any season.
However, according to experienced tourists, it is better to come here from August to the end of the year. In August and September, Ban Gioc Waterfall reaches its beauty peak with fierce flows and blue water below. And in November and December, the land will be covered in yellow when the buckwheat and the wild sunflower blossom here and there.


Vice verse, the summer may bring a little tiresome due to the higher temperature. However, at that time the sky is blue. A trekking tour to green mountains and forests will be more interesting. And visiting some streams along the journey will certainly exciting things to do in Cao Bang Vietnam. More especially, it is also time for plums ripen. You can enjoy this perfect combination of flavor and taste, as well as taste other tropical fruits in the area.

III. How to get to Cao Bang from Hanoi ?

Cao Bang City center is about 280 kilometers far from Hanoi Capital City. Moreover, the roadway to this mountainous lands is much challenging with winding passes and extreme slopes. However, the roadway will certainly bring you to a wonderland deep in the mountains. Cao Bang what to do is a perfect gift for your travel from the other side of the world. You are not recommended to travel by your own vehicle. Instead, you should take a coach car to reach the destination. Moreover, it is better to call a serious tourism agency to arrange the itinerary so that you can save your time and energy. 

IV. Top attractions in Cao Bang

1. Ban Gioc Falls/Ban Gioc Waterfall - Like one singer sheet among the green forest

Ban Gioc Falls is one of the most majestic and beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam. It is no doubt to be one of the must-have Cao Bang things to do. The attraction is on Quay Son River, also the border between Vietnam and China in Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province. The water flows are fierce around the year from a height of 30 meters, making the area outstanding among the green mountain landscapes surrounding. 


The spot turns much more impressive under morning sunlight when rainbows appear on the water. At the foot of the waterfall is a gentle river reflecting ancient trees above. Ban Gioc Waterfall together with the diverse scenery surrounding makes it a dream-like picture in Cao Bang Vietnam.

2. Nguom Ngao cave - A magic masterpiece in the Nothern pole

Nguom Ngao Cave is in Gun Village, Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province. It is only three kilometers far from Ban Gioc Waterfall. The cave is more than 2000 meters high with three main mouths including Nguom Ngao, Nguom Lom and Thuon Villages. In Tay ethnic minority's language, "Nguom Ngao" means a tiger's cave". 
The attraction will certainly make you surprised by the mysterious and magical atmosphere inside the cave. Thousands of calamities and stalactites are sparkling in different shapes, creating a lively landscape deep in the mountain that is worth in the list of Cao Bang Vietnam things to do.

3. Pac Bo Relic/Pac Bo Historical Complex - Admire the full-range scenery of peace

Pac Bo Historical Complex is a special historical place of revolution in Vietnam highly recommended for Cao Bang what to do. It is in Pac Bo Village, Truong Ha Commune, Ha Quang District, Cao Bang province. From Cao Bang city, you continue to travel for 55 kilometers to reach the destination. Ho Chi Minh President used to work there in the time of leading Vietnamese to fight against the enemy. 
There are a lot of spots to visit in the complex such as the house for commemorating Ho Chi Minh President, Pac Bo cave - the home of the President, Lung Ngan Cave, Karl Marx Mountain, Nam stream, Le-nin stream,...


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4. Nam Tra Waterfall - A great angle's eye among the colorful landscape

One of the trending things to do in Cao Bang Vietnam among young tourists is to discover Mat Than Mountain (Mountain Angle Eyes) and Nam Tra Waterfall. It is in Ban Danh Village, Quoc Toan Commune, Tra Linh District, Cao Bang province. For the amazing feeling it brings to tourists, it is also called a dreamy paradise separated from the outside. Moreover, a unique hole on the mountain is considerable in the list of Cao Bang things to do. 


The first impression about the attraction may be the great hole with a diameter of 50 meters piercing the mountain that you can not see anywhere else in Vietnam. Then you will come across a still lake and reach Nam Tra Waterfall. The spot is outstanding with white water flows from the very high and decorated with the colorful background of flowers and trees surrounding.

5. Thang Hen Lake - The dreamy spot separated from the outside

Thang Hen Lake is on a mountain at the height of thousand meters above the water sea level in Quoc Toan Commune, Tra Linh District, Cao Bang Province. It is in a bee's shape, 100-300 meters wide and 500-1000 meter long up to the water level which changes throughout the seasons. 
The lake is located completely in a mountain with green forests surrounding it. Vertical cliffs nearby are the home of ancient trees which are reflected on the still water. The water is originated from a large cave and always blue despite the flood time when others turn red.

 

6. Truc Lam Phat Tich Pagoda - Vietnamese traditional architecture presented

Truc Lam Phat Tich Pagoda is built on Phia Nham Mountain in Dam Thuy Commune, about 500 meters far from Ban Gioc Waterfall. It has a magnificent historical value as the first pagoda in the North pole in Vietnam. From the attraction, you can admire the overall view of Ban Gioc Waterfall together with endless rice fields in yellow and the blue sky above. 
The pagoda is designed completely in Vietnamese architecture. Ironwood is used to create the main structure. On visiting the attraction, you will see in person a great copper bell called Thien Bao, which is 1,5 tons weigh. Besides, there are a lot of constructions that also worth visiting in the complex.

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7. Phuc Sen Forge Village - Come to learn something about Vietnamese women's spirit

Phuc Sen Forge Village is in Phuc Sen Commune, Quang Uyen District, Cao Bang Province. It is the home of Nung An ethnic minority, who earn their living by forging job. There are about 358 journeymen and hundreds of apprentices. Only when visiting the place can you learn how complex the forging procedure is, also how much these locals love their responsibility. If you have taken it for granted that only men can do the job, you may get amazed at the image of the local women also taking the same responsibility. 

8. Phia Oac – Phia Den - The home to thousands of scarce flora and fauna

Phia Oac - Phia Den is indeed a national park in Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark. It is famous for the diversity in beautiful landscapes and a wide range of sacred flora and fauna which have not been affected by human activities. 
The attraction is nearly 2000 meters high above the water sea level. Therefore, it is also known as the rooftop of the province. On visiting the attraction, you will easily see a lot of animals and plants you may have never met before. Moreover, do not forget to have sightseeing in limestone mountains with subterranean rivers, valleys, and slopes... as a must-have Cao Bang Vietnam things to do.

 

9. Trekking in Bao Lac - Come close to nature with endless rice terraces and bamboo forests

10. Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark - A perfect destination for archaeology lovers

Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark is about 3000 kilometers large, stretching through six districts in the area. It is the home of 9 ethnic minorities such as Tay, Nung, Kinh,... Each of them has its own unique features in culture and lifestyle that you can see through their costumes and the foods they present, for example.

The attraction must be one of the must-visit things to do in Cao Bang Vietnam of archaeology-lovers where you can learn more about the earth’s history of more than 500 billion years with limestone mountains presenting as an evident proof. There are three main itineraries you can follow to discover the land. If you are concerned, then contact us to get more detailed information.

11. Cao Bang City - Discover how attractive a mountainous city center is 

Although it has been turned into a developing city in such a mountainous area, the attraction still keeps its own origin with a lot of historical spots as worth-visiting places to visit in Cao Bang. Ban Phu Citadel (the citadel of King Thuc Che and Thuc Phan) may be the first place suggested for its special architecture. It is surrounded by winding rivers and rice fields that you can admire from the place. Then you can continue to Nghieu Linh Son Mountain to come close to nature with nice landscape surroundings. Hoang Ding Giong Relicsite is another choice if time allows.

12. Border Gates and Markers - Have a view toward China from Vietnam border marker

There are five border gates of Vietnam and China in Cao Bang province, including Ta Lung, Tra Linh, Po Peo, and Soc Giang, among which a tour to Soc Giang is among the most popular things to do in Cao Bang. Ta Lung gate is in Po Tap Village, Ta Lung town, Phuc Hoa district, Cao Bang province, also the main gate of the province. It is connected with Thuy Khau border gate in China by a river called Thuy Khau on Bac Vong River. There is also a border mark that you can have check-in photos as a memory of your Cao Bang tour.

13. Ethnic minority groups - The diversity in culture with a lot of exciting festivals

As recommended above, Cao Bang province is the home of 9 ethnic minorities. Therefore, discovering the cultural exchange in the area is among interesting things to do in Cao Bang. This may be shown clearly when you visit the local markets alongside your journey. However, it is much more luckily for you if you can join one in five festivals in the province during your days in Vietnam. 


On these festivals, the locals will put on their traditional costumes, then give tourists exciting music and dance presentations. Moreover, a lot of traditional games are held for both locals and tourists. It is also a great chance for you to taste all the specialties of these ethnic minorities. These festivals include:

• Ky Sam Festival: on 10th January in the Lunar calendar in Ngan Village, Vinh Quang Commune, Hoa An district.
• King Le Festival: on 6th January in the Lunar calendar in Den Village, Hoang Tung Commune, Hoa An District.
• Moi Me Trang Festival: on 22nd March in the Lunar calendar in Tien Thanh Commune, Phuc Hoa District.
• Ban Gioc Waterfall Festival (Festival of lights): from 5th to 7th October, in Ban Gioc, Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District.
• Long Tong Festival: from 2nd to 30th January in the Lunar calendar in Tay and Nung area.

 

V. Cao Bang accommodation

Although Cao Bang is a mountainous area in Northern Vietnam, there is a wide range of hotels and homestays for tourists' choices. Most of them gather in the center of the city and the price is not really high. Some famous addresses recommended include Hoang Anh, Bang Giang, Anh Duong,...
However, it is also a note to book in advance before you start the journey so that you can save your money as well as assure nothing unlucky happening before experiencing Cao Bang what to do list. You can have a serious tourism agency in Vietnam who has enough experience to do it for you.

VI. Best food in Cao Bang

Among Cao Bang Vietnam things to do, do not forget to taste some of the local specialties. Vietnam is a country famous for many excellent recipes, and the province is certainly not an exception.

• Floating sticky rice ball: Floating sticky rice ball is made of bits of brown sugar wrapped in glutinous rice paste and cooked by scalding in boiling water. To cook the ginger sweet soup, add all the ingredients – ginger, water, palm sugar and pandan to a pot. They all create a specific flavor that tourists may find it hard to see in other dishes.
• Steamed stuffed rice-batter pancake: Steamed stuffed rice-batter pancake is a popular food in Vietnam but Cao Bang has a little difference in the soup to enjoy with. In the area, the locals dip all cake into the gently sweet stew meat soup. It is much more flavoring with dried onions covering the soup.

• "Tram" sticky rice: It is not difficult to taste this special kind of sticky rice in Cao Bang province. The food is considered as one of the main dishes in both cheap stores to luxurious restaurants. The local sticky rice is more attractive when added with a kind of local fruit. 
• Local beef hung up in the kitchen: The locals usually store the meat in their house for rainy days or for the time they have to stay in forests. However, it is now served mostly for the tourists. They choose the best parts of beef to marinate with seasonings and then hang them up in the kitchen to turn them into dried meat. The meat after that can keep the sweet taste without abstracting the nutrition.

With our detailed collections of Cao Bang Vietnam things to do, the local specialties and some famous festivals, we do hope you will have a chance to experience as much as possible during the tour. If you need more information for a detailed itinerary as well as the price quotation, do not hesitate to contact us now.