The 8 Best Things to See and Do in Cao Bang

A little-known destination for tourists, Cao Bang is a natural setting in the North East of Vietnam with varied reliefs and majestic and wild landscapes. This mountainous region will appeal to anyone looking to hike between limestone mountains and lakes, caves, and waterfalls. When you visit Cao Bang, what to see and do around this haven of freshness? Write down without delay our best ideas to fully enjoy this captivating region.

1. Ban Gioc Falls

Located on the Quay Son River, Ban Gioc Falls is undoubtedly one of the natural wonders not to be missed during your visit to Northern Vietnam. Found in the border area between Vietnam and China, Ban Gioc is among the most spectacular waterfalls in Southeast Asia.

Falling from a height of 30m and spreading over nearly 300m, the Ban Gioc Waterfall is the most abundant and deafening between August and September, it’s undoubtedly the best time to admire it. Beyond an excursion around the falls for a breath of fresh air, you can complete the visit with other activities with an hour of rafting or kayaking on the Quay Son River. To avoid the crowds, consider going early in the morning.

If you come in the afternoon, take the time to attend a nighttime artistic light show lasting 1.5 hours from 7 p.m.

Visit price: 45,000 VND per person.
How to get there: From Cao Bang Town, take the Ma Phuc and Khau Lien Passes for about 60 km. Upon arrival in Trung Khanh Town, you will have approximately 30 km to reach Ban Gioc Falls.

>> Read more: Ban Gioc waterfall from every angle in autumn

2. Ma Phuc Pass

A route that should tempt lovers of dizzying loops is the Ma Phuc Pass. The limestone rocks located along the RN3 are reminiscent of a couple of horses lying down and facing each other, hence the name of the Ma Phuc Pass or lying horses. With a length of more than 3.5 km and almost 700 m above sea level, Ma Phuc is renowned for being the most beautiful pass in Cao Bang with 7 levels of slope with many terrifying turns. Carved into the mountain and facing grandiose cliffs, this section is a real challenge for adventurers.

3. Thang Hen Lake

At a height of almost 1000m, Thang Hen Lake is a haven of peace located in a majestic landscape with green mountains.

Visit price: 30,000 VND/person
How to get there?
Quoc Toan commune, Tra Linh district, about an hour by motorbike from Cao Bang Town.
From Cao Bang Town, start towards National Road 3 for about 21 km, then continue on Provincial Road 205 for 4 km. Then turn left and travel about 8 km from the pass to reach the lake within the Thang Hen Lake ecotourism area.

4. Nguom Ngao Cave

The Nguom Ngao Cave located very close to Khuoi Ky Village is a great stop to explore some of the underground treasures of Cao Bang with magnificent stalagmites. Extending over 2144 m including several rooms still unexplored, this sumptuous cave, or "Tiger cave" in the Tay language, includes three main parts, Nguom Ngao, Nguom Lom, and Nguom Ban Thuon.

Visit price: 45,000 VND/person
How to get there: From Cao Bang Town, follow Ma Phuc Pass and Khau Lien Pass towards Ban Gioc Falls. Turn onto the path near the waterfall towards Provincial Road 206 and continue to the sign leading to Nguom Ngao Cave.

5. God’s Eye Mountain

About 40 km from the city, this strangely shaped mountain fits into the whole of Thang Hen Lake, an integral part of the Cao Bang Geopark. In the villages of Tay, no one knows when it was called Phja Piot or the mountain with a hole.

Nestled in the middle of limestone peaks as far as the eye can see, God’s Eye Mountain invites you to escape into a natural setting as wild as it is peaceful where horses graze peacefully. An ideal break for camping for a weekend with friends or family. On the way to the mountain, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular landscapes while passing the Ma Phuc Pass on a motorbike.

How to get there: From Thang Hen Lake, contact locals to find Ban Danh Hamlet. Follow the path at the foot of the mountain to get there.

6. Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda

Only 500m from Ban Gioc Falls, the pagoda is a beautiful passage to combine with Ban Gioc Falls. From Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda, you will have a panoramic view of the breathtaking landscapes of Cao Bang.

Covering nearly 3ha, this sacred place is distinguished by its typical Vietnamese architecture with three aisles, a drum pavilion, a bell tower pavilion, temples dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, and other historical tributes...

7. Khuoi Ky Stone Village

This ancient village brings together 14 families of the Tay ethnic group who live in houses on stone stilts dating back hundreds of years. You can find dwellings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries when the Mac dynasty settled in Cao Bang and built citadels to protect the country against invasions from the North.

How to get there: about 3 km from Ban Gioc Waterfall, almost 100 km from Cao Bang Town.

>> Read more: Khuoi Ky village, a beautiful place around Ban Gioc waterfall

8. Bao Lac Weekly Market

To immerse yourself in daily life and local culture, go to the Bao Lac Mountain Market which only takes place on special days 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 of the lunar calendar. A tour of the mountain market provides a perfect opportunity to meet men and women from ethnic minorities. Each group is distinguished by its typical traditional outfit, colorful and shimmering for the Lo Lo and red Hmong, practical for the Tay and Nung. Try to taste some of the specialties offered in the mountain restaurants, an authentic meeting place with the locals.

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