Cao Bang is located in the Northeast region, possessing overlapping mountainous terrain, many valleys, caves, lakes and majestic waterfalls. Not only attractive by its natural scenery, this land is also associated with many important milestones in the history of the Vietnamese revolution.
Cao Bang each season has its own beauty. August and September are the time when Ban Gioc waterfall has a lot of water, is clear and green, and many terraced fields enter the ripe rice season. By November and December, Cao Bang's mountains and forests become prominent with the colors of wild sunflowers, buckwheat and the characteristic chilly air of the Northeast region.
Move
From Hanoi to Cao Bang city is about 280km. Depending on the means of transport and traffic conditions, the journey usually takes about 6 - 8 hours. Tourists can choose passenger cars, limousines, private cars or motorbikes along National Highway 3. Some bus stations in Hanoi have trips to Cao Bang such as My Dinh, Giap Bat and Nuoc Ngam.
If you want to take a passenger car at night, you can choose a trip around 9 pm from My Dinh station. Ticket price from 200,000 VND/person/way for a regular sleeper berth or from 400,000 VND/person/way for a cabin. The car can arrive in Cao Bang at about 5 am the next morning.
After arriving, tourists can rent a motorbike to move proactively. Rental price from 180,000 VND/day, excluding fuel.
Schedule
Day 1: Vinh Quy burnt grass hill - Ma Phuc pass - Ban Gioc waterfall - Nguom Ngao cave
After arriving in Cao Bang early in the morning, tourists can rest, receive a motorbike and then start the journey.
The first destination is Vinh Quy burnt grass hill, about 70km from the center. This route passes through Ma Phuc Pass, one of the famous passes of Cao Bang. The winding roads in the mountains create many beautiful angles to stop for photos.
After visiting the grass hill, tourists continue to move towards Ban Gioc waterfall. The waterfall flows down to the middle of the majestic stone cliffs, creating an impressive scene, especially brilliant on clear, sunny days.
Ban Gioc waterfall entrance ticket is 45,000 VND/person. If you want to get closer to the waterfall, visitors can experience rafting at a price of about 50,000 VND/person.
Near Ban Gioc waterfall is Nguom Ngao cave, which stands out with a natural stalactite system with many unique shapes. The cave entrance ticket is priced at 45,000 VND/adult.
In the evening, tourists stay at homestays in the Trung Khanh area to facilitate the next day's itinerary.
Day 2: Mat Than Mountain - Thang Hen Lake - Ha Quang
The second day begins with Mat Than Mountain, also known as Thung Mountain. This destination is about 30km from the center of Cao Bang city and impresses with a large hole in the middle of the mountain body.
Around the mountain are wide lawns located in the middle of the valley, surrounded by rocky mountains. On sunny days, this area is suitable for photography, picnics or camping.
Mat Than Mountain has both the front and back to explore. If you use Google Maps, visitors can find the way to Thang Hen Lake. On the way, there will be signs leading to Mat Than Mountain area. You should visit the mountain first and then continue to Thang Hen Lake because the two locations are close together.
Thang Hen Lake is a complex of more than 36 large and small lakes located in the middle of Cao Bang mountains and forests. Among them, Nam Tra Lake is likened by many tourists to the "Tuyet Tinh Coc" of this land.
The interesting point is that the lake landscape changes seasonally. In the dry season, the water level at some lakes decreases, making the appearance of this place different and creating interesting check-in corners.
At the end of the day, tourists move to Ha Quang to stay overnight.
Day 3: Lenin stream - Kim Dong tomb - discovering Cao Bang cuisine
On the third day, visitors can spend time exploring Pac Bo relic site, with Le Nin stream and landmarks associated with revolutionary history.
Le Nin stream stands out with clear blue water, the bottom can be seen winding in the middle of the rocky mountains. A stream and electric car entrance ticket costs about 50,000 VND/person. Visitors can combine visiting Kim Dong tomb, learning more about history and stories associated with this revolutionary land.
If there is still time, some other locations can be added to the journey such as Co La waterfall, Nguyen Binh bamboo forest, Khau Coc Cha pass, Khuoi Ky ancient stone village, Ba Quang grass hill...
Or tourists can spend the afternoon exploring local cuisine before getting on the bus to Hanoi in the evening.
Eating
Cuisine is an indispensable part of the journey to explore Cao Bang. Visitors can try banh cuon, sour pho, roasted duck pho, braised duck, duck hotpot, rib sausage, fried stream fish, and Chongqing chestnuts.
In addition, black jelly, white sugar beef cake, cao chang cake, phu noong cake,... are also specialties worth experiencing or buying as gifts.
Notes
Tourist destinations in Cao Bang are often quite far apart and not always convenient to connect in one route. Therefore, tourists should carefully check the route before departure and spend enough time traveling.
The weather in mountainous areas can change quickly. Early in the morning and at night, the temperature can drop to about 15-16 degrees Celsius on cold days. If traveling by motorbike, tourists should prepare warm coats, gloves and raincoats.
Especially, on mountainous roads and many curves, vehicle drivers need to maintain appropriate speed, and should not try to move when it is dark or bad weather.
