Tucked away in a remote area of Northern Vietnam, Cao Bang Province is bursting with beautiful geo-cultural sites. With five major river systems and 47 lakes, water plays a vital role in shaping the landscape and local life. Much of Cao Bang is protected as UNESCO Global Geopark. The province's extraordinary diversity makes it a spectacular place to explore, especially for adventure travellers. Here are seven stops in Cao Bang you must not miss.
Located on the border between China and Vietnam, Bản Giốc is the fourth largest waterfall in the world. Measuring 300 meters wide, the falls are absolutely breathtaking in size. The vast area and range of different falls and pools within the park is captivating. Set in a striking valley and surrounded by lush jungle, Bản Giốc feels like a paradise of its own.
A short but steep walk brings you to this traditional Vietnamese-style temple. The design of Trúc Lâm pagoda fits perfectly into the hillside. As you climb higher to the main temple area, a valley filled with karsts unfolds below. A stunning spot not far from Bản Giốc Waterfalls, Trúc Lâm Pagoda can easily be visited in the same day.
The Ngườm Ngao cave system has some of the most unique stalactite formations in Southeast Asia. As you step foot into the cave, the formations change with each new cavern. The entire cave system is 2,144 meters long, but local authorities have only opened 948 meters to visitors to preserve its natural beauty.
The Thang Hen Lakes are made up of 36 miniature lakes that are all connected through caves and underground passageways. In the rainy season, water levels rise to form a single lake, which meanders through a valley of karst peaks for over 300 kilometres. While the lake is picturesque, it’s the rock formations and scenes of daily life that make Thang Hen worth visiting.
Pác Bó Historical Complex is a memorial and museum founded on the site where Hồ Chí Minh began his revolution. Here you can take a look at the cave where Ho Chi Minh lived in hiding, and the river where he fished and wrote poetry. This tasteful tribute to the life and work of Ho Chi Minh is an important pilgrimage spot for the Vietnamese.
Nui Thung Mountain is also referred to as Angel Eye Mountain and it is obvious why. Halfway up the mountain you will see a huge hole. It is not only the mountain that makes this a special place. Only a small road can take you to this area, which opens up like a hidden valley, with mountains, jungle, plains and a lake that reflects the Angel Eye.
Vietnam has many impressive mountain passes and Me Pja pass is one of the most impressive ones. It has 14 turns in total, winding down the mountain. There is a hiking trail starting from the top that can bring you to the viewpoint.
Cao Bang city has a few restaurant where you can eat. When you stay outside the city, somewhere in the countryside, you most likely will eat at your accommodation – often homestays.
There are also some local Cao Bang dishes you can try, such as Banh trung kien. This is ant’s egg rice cake, as large as rice grains, a dish made by the Tay ethnic people.
Cao Bang is also home to many chestnuts. You will see them being sold along the road or at the waterfalls.
Tucked away in a remote area of Northern Vietnam, Cao Bang Province is bursting with beautiful geo-cultural sites. With five major river systems and 47 lakes, water plays a vital role in shaping the landscape and local life. Much of Cao Bang is protected as UNESCO Global Geopark. The province's extraordinary diversity makes it a spectacular place to explore, especially for adventure travellers. Here are seven stops in Cao Bang you must not miss.
Located on the border between China and Vietnam, Bản Giốc is the fourth largest waterfall in the world. Measuring 300 meters wide, the falls are absolutely breathtaking in size. The vast area and range of different falls and pools within the park is captivating. Set in a striking valley and surrounded by lush jungle, Bản Giốc feels like a paradise of its own.
A short but steep walk brings you to this traditional Vietnamese-style temple. The design of Trúc Lâm pagoda fits perfectly into the hillside. As you climb higher to the main temple area, a valley filled with karsts unfolds below. A stunning spot not far from Bản Giốc Waterfalls, Trúc Lâm Pagoda can easily be visited in the same day.
The Ngườm Ngao cave system has some of the most unique stalactite formations in Southeast Asia. As you step foot into the cave, the formations change with each new cavern. The entire cave system is 2,144 meters long, but local authorities have only opened 948 meters to visitors to preserve its natural beauty.
The Thang Hen Lakes are made up of 36 miniature lakes that are all connected through caves and underground passageways. In the rainy season, water levels rise to form a single lake, which meanders through a valley of karst peaks for over 300 kilometres. While the lake is picturesque, it’s the rock formations and scenes of daily life that make Thang Hen worth visiting.
Pác Bó Historical Complex is a memorial and museum founded on the site where Hồ Chí Minh began his revolution. Here you can take a look at the cave where Ho Chi Minh lived in hiding, and the river where he fished and wrote poetry. This tasteful tribute to the life and work of Ho Chi Minh is an important pilgrimage spot for the Vietnamese.
Nui Thung Mountain is also referred to as Angel Eye Mountain and it is obvious why. Halfway up the mountain you will see a huge hole. It is not only the mountain that makes this a special place. Only a small road can take you to this area, which opens up like a hidden valley, with mountains, jungle, plains and a lake that reflects the Angel Eye.
Vietnam has many impressive mountain passes and Me Pja pass is one of the most impressive ones. It has 14 turns in total, winding down the mountain. There is a hiking trail starting from the top that can bring you to the viewpoint.
Cao Bang city has a few restaurant where you can eat. When you stay outside the city, somewhere in the countryside, you most likely will eat at your accommodation – often homestays.
There are also some local Cao Bang dishes you can try, such as Banh trung kien. This is ant’s egg rice cake, as large as rice grains, a dish made by the Tay ethnic people.
Cao Bang is also home to many chestnuts. You will see them being sold along the road or at the waterfalls.
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