In the last months of the year, the northern mountainous region enters the cold and dry season. This is the right time to explore Cao Bang, check-in a series of irresistible natural destinations such as Ban Gioc waterfall, Ba Quang grass hill...
Here is a detailed schedule for the 4-day trip to explore Cao Bang by Pham Quang Tuyen (31 years old), a young photographer in Hanoi.
How to move
At 9pm, take a bus to Thanh Ly bus station to pick up at My Dinh bus station, the cabin ticket price is 400,000 VND/person/ Afternoon, or the normal sleeper ticket price is 200,000 VND/person/afternoon. At 5am the next morning, the bus arrived in Cao Bang.
Renting a motorbike in Cao Bang for 180,000 VND/day. At 5am on the first day, you can sleep temporarily at the rented car until it is brighter and then depart.
Book a room
On the first and second nights, Tuyen booked a room at Nasan Homestay, priced from 250,000 - 350,000 VND/room/night. This homestay is located right in Thoong got waterfall, waking up in the morning to the roaring sound of waterfall. The campus of homestay Tuyen is considered very spacious and basically clean.
Night 3 book a room at Ba Quang Panorama. A very famous address and has a beautiful view. A bed in a group room costs 250,000 VND/night, including breakfast.
However, this homestay is located on the Ba Quang grass hill, very far from the center, making it inconvenient to find food and drink.
4-day tour schedule
Day 1
Mat Than Mountain (Pory): about 30km from the center of Cao Bang: beautiful scenery, the valley at the foot of the mountain is easily flooded after heavy rain, but in good weather, you can camp and take photos on the lawns.
Ngoc Con: more beautiful scenery in the ripe rice season, you can climb the mountain for about 20-30 minutes to reach the point to see the Quay Son River from above, surrounded by fields. Tuyen shared that "the scenery has nothing more enchanting".
Khuoi Ky Stone Village: There are also many homestays that look new compared to the space of the ancient village, but basically Tuyen can still see many ancient village corners in beautiful form.
Nguom Ngao Cave: ticket price 45,000 VND/person, quite majestic, many stone jars with unique strange shapes, if it is the first time coming to Cao Bang, everyone should visit.
Day 2
Co La Waterfall: beautiful scenery, but after the storm and flood in September and early October, it has not fully recovered.
Thoong got Waterfall: Tuyen's schedule has a homestay near the waterfall, combined with an evening vacation and daytime waterfall viewing is quite reasonable.
Ban Gioc Waterfall: this is a must-see spot not to miss when coming to Cao Bang, the ticket price is 40,000 VND/person, the majestic waterfall is too much. You should go on sunny days and reach the waterfall around 11am - 3pm because that is the time when the water flows in the most. Especially after October, Ban Gioc waterfall is always abundant.
Day 3
Ban Viet Lake: from late November to late December, along both sides of the lake, the incense leaves turn red, so this place is worth stopping.
Ba Quang Grass Hill: traveling to Cao Bang for 3-4 days is definitely a must. From late October to November, the entire Ba Quang grass hill will start to turn into the burnt grass season, watching the sunrise or sunset is wonderful.
Day 4
Phia Thap incense village: Tuyen shares that this place is less known and visited. "The whole village still retains the traditional profession, the housework is also very beautiful".
Suoi Lenin: Tour tickets are 55,000 VND/person, including electric vehicles. The clear blue stream water splashed down to the bottom, and fish could be seen swimming.
Eating and drinking in Cao Bang
When you're in Cao Bang, you can't miss local specialties like: rolls, sour pho, roast duck pho, soursop duck, black jelly, white sugar beef cake, banh cao chung, banh loong, steamed egg sticky rice, etc.
Notes on Cao Bang tourism routes
Tourist attractions in Cao Bang are located far apart and not convenient to travel, so if you want to go all, you need 5-6 days. More than half of tourist attractions are located in Trung Khanh district and neighboring areas, you should pay attention when arranging a suitable travel schedule.
From October to December is the most beautiful season in Cao Bang, remember to check the weather forecast to choose a warm and sunny day to travel. Tuyen shared that because most of the places in Cao Bang are stream waterfalls, to take photos, you need beautiful sunshine.
Especially in Cao Bang, there is almost no situation of price-cutting, the local people are also very lovely and friendly.
