Cao Bang is the headland province of the country in the Northeastern region of Vietnam. The West borders Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang, the South borders Bac Kan and Lang Son, the North and the East borders Quang Tay province (China).
Cao Bang has majestic mountains, forests, rivers and streams, with many wild and primitive features. This is an indispensable destination in the journey to conquer the top land of the country.
Landscapes in Cao Bang
1. Ban Gioc Waterfall
Ban Gioc waterfall is considered the most beautiful waterfall stream in Vietnam. Located on the Vietnam-China borderline, amidst the same pristine mountain scenery. Ban Gioc is also honoured as the largest natural waterfall in Southeast Asia and the fourth largest in the world among the waterfalls located on a national borderline. Visitors to Ban Gioc waterfall often stay at Sai Gon Ban Gioc Resort, located a few hundred meters away from the waterfall.
Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang
2. Nguom Ngao Cave
Nguom Ngao Cave is located in Gun village, Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province. According to survey documents of the British Royal Survey Association, Nguom Ngao cave has a length of 2,144m. According to the Tay language, Nguom Ngao means “tiger cave”. The cave is divided into three main zones: the four heavenly pillars, the central area and the treasure zone. Nguom Ngao possesses an interesting beauty created by gorgeous layers of stalactite and golden stalactite. The colourful stalactites grow from below, from above the high rocky arches with many beautiful shapes reflecting shimmering light.
3. Pac Po Historic Site
Located about 50km from Cao Bang city. The Pac Po historic site associated with President Ho Chi Minh’s activities is gradually being invested to become an attractive destination for tourists. In addition to the fresh natural air, you will also visit works built to commemorate and preserve the memories of President Ho Chi Minh during the early days of returning to Vietnam.
Water-Wheel in Cao Bang
4. Truc Lam Ban Gioc Buddhist Temple
Truc Lam Ban Gioc Buddhist Temple was built in pure Vietnamese architecture. On an area of 3 ha in Phia Nham mountain, Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, about 500m from Ban Gioc waterfall. The pagoda includes many items such as the three-door gate, the bell floor, the empty floor, the stone stele and the tam Bao … From the top of the pagoda, you can see the whole Ban Gioc Waterfall and a large area below.
5. Duck Noodle Soup (Pho Vit)
Going to Cao Bang without eating duck noodle soup is a pity. Duck for noodle soup is boiled or roasted, but the most popular is roasted duck noodle with a mixture of honey marigold or honey mark leaves mixed with crushed garlic onion, marinated with spices inside.
Duck is grilled with charcoal until it is almost done, then put in a pan with the fat and turn it until it turns dark red. When roasted, the spices stuffed inside will soak into the duck meat, making the meat richer. Roasted duck noodle soup has an indescribable appeal, soft, sweet duck meat, mixed with the aroma of gall.
Cao Bang noodle cake is made from soaked rice and then ground into water powder. Cao Bang noodles are soft and chewy. The duck noodle bowl is added with little chopped green onions, green bean sprouts, and a teaspoon of full broth is ready to eat. When eating, local people often add a few pieces of chilli bamboo shoots, marinated honey for fragrant.
6. Chestnuts Trung Khanh
Possessing cold weather, soil, and suitable climate for mountainous areas, Trung Khanh is the only land that can produce Trung Khanh chestnuts. They differ from many other types of chestnuts. Standard Chongqing chestnuts have a hard, thick, fluffy shell. If boiled, steamed or brought into the oven, it has a natural fragrance. When eaten with a sweet taste, just hold it for a while, the chestnuts will melt by themselves.
Trung Khanh chestnuts only appear in late autumn and early winter. At this time, the chestnut ruffles its navel. Picked up must be processed immediately because chestnuts contain high protein content, which is easy to rot.
Coming to Trung Khanh, Cao Bang, you will walk under the cool chestnut trees with a hint of incense. Each fruit contains 3 or 4 seeds. When ripe chestnuts fall off the ground. Then chestnuts followed the ethnic people to the market, or on the way back down as a unique gift of Cao Bang forest.
7. Thang Hen Lake
This is considered the largest freshwater lake in Cao Bang province. The best time to see the beautiful scenery of Thang Hen Lake is early in the morning. When the early sun starts shining on the lake surface is the best time to see the lake. The water surface then looked like a jade mirror covered with a pure white chiffon scarf. It is so beautiful and has a strange charm, captivating all visitors when arriving at Thang Hen Lake.
8. Ma Phuc Pass
Ma Phuc pass is the most beautiful pass among the passes on National Highway 3 from Phu Lo to Ta Nung border gate, 22 km from Cao Bang. Located in Quoc Toan Commune, Tra Linh district is the boundary of Hoa An district and Tra Linh district.
Ma Phuc pass is about 620 m high (it is necessary to pass seven steep turns to reach the top). The pass is only 2 slopes in the north with a bend, and the northern slope is in the territory of Trung Khanh district.
9. Phuc Sen Forging Village
The Nung An people in Phuc Sen commune, Quang Uyen district, Cao Bang province have a profession of forging. Forging appeared in Phuc Sen commune a long time ago (not sure how long, but certainly over 200 years). It can be said that this is one of the most unique craft villages in Cao Bang province as well as in Vietnam. It is also because of this unique blacksmith profession that annually the number of tourists coming to Phuc Sen commune is relatively large.
10. Cao Bang Markets
Cao Bang has 12 districts and city. Particularly, markets in the city are held every day, while in districts and communes, markets are held by session, one session every five days according to the lunar calendar.
The mountainous highland fairs are simple, with few types of goods, but express the unique cultural features of each region. The buyers and the sellers were all cheerful, smiling and expressing their friendly feelings.
+ Fair market schedule in Cao Bang:
Hoa An district.
Nuoc Hai Market: Market day on 3; 8; 13; 18; 23; 28 lunar calendar.
Cao Binh Market: Market day is on 5th; ten; 15; 20; 25; 30 lunar calendar.
Cho Lai Market: Market day on 3; 8; 13; 18; 23; 28 lunar calendar.
Ha Quang district.
Na Giang market: Market day on the 1st; 6; 11; 16; 21; 26 lunar calendar.
Ban Gioi Market: Market day on the 5th; ten; 15; 20; 25; 30 lunar calendar.
Soc Ha Market: Market day on the 2nd; 7; twelfth; 17; 22; 27 lunar calendar.
Nguyen Binh District.
District market: Market day on the 3rd; 8; 13; 18; 23; 28 lunar calendar.
Tinh Tuc Market: Market day on the 5th; ten; 15; 20; 25; 30 lunar calendar
Na Bao Market: Market day on the 4th; 9; 14; 19; 24; 29 lunar calendar.
Ha Lang District.
District market: Market day on the 5th; ten; 15; 20; 25 lunar calendar.
Bang Ca Market: Market day on the 3rd; 8; 13; 18; 23; 28 lunar calendar.
Thi Hoa Market: Market day on the 4th; 9; 14; 19; 24; 29 lunar calendar.
Bao Lac District.
– Ban Bo Market: Market day on the 4th; 9; 14; 19; 24; 29 lunar calendar.
– Coc Bang Market: The market day is on the 4th; 9; 14; 19; 24; 29 lunar calendar
Trung Khanh District.
District market: Market day on the 5th; ten; 15; 20; 25 lunar calendar.
Po Tau Market: Market day on the 1st; 6; 11; 16; 21; 26 lunar calendar.
Po Peo Market: Market day on the 4th; 9; 14; 19; 24; 29 lunar calendar.
Ban Ra Market: Market day on the 4th; 9; 14; 19; 24; 29 lunar calendar.
Dinh Phong Market: Market day on the 3rd; 8; 13; 18; 23; 28 lunar calendar.
Thong Hue Market: Market day on the 2nd; 7; twelfth; 17; 22; 27 lunar calendar.
If you want to go to Cao Bang by motorbikes, please visit at https://indochinamotorbiketours.com/vietnam-north-east-motorbike-tours.html then sort out a tour you like most and plan your motorbike rides to the tourist destinations above to explore the beauty of Cao Bang. You will not be disappointed.
