Cao Bang province with its capital of the same name is bordering China
on the
east of northern Vietnam. In this province there are approximately
550 thousands inhabitants. A lot of people are from the
ethnic groups such
as. Tay, Nung, Dao and Hmong.
Cao Bang is mainly mountainous with spectacular sceneries and suitable trails for trekking and exploring the ethnic minorities in the nearby villages of the city. In the winter, it is possible there will be snow fall and freezing conditions in the mountains of Cao Bang province, so be prepared with appropriate clothes.
Cao Bang has several important points of historical significance.
For example Pac Bo village (at the Bang Giang and Hien rivers). This is the place where Ho Chi Minh in January 1941 established a revolutionary force, it was at the Coc Bo cave. In 1920, the area has become an important cradle of the revolutionary movement in northern Vietnam. Another beautiful places in Cao Bang are Ky Sam palace, Coi Bin monastery, magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfall on the border with China and Thang Hen Mountain Lake.
Cao Bang town was damaged at war with China in 1979 and has been rebuilt. It lies on an altitude of 300 m, so there is a very beneficial climate through the all year. Markets which are held here, belongs to the largest in northern Vietnam, so you need to visit them when you are here.
Ban Gioc Waterfall is located 80 km north of Cao Bang town on the border with China. Ban Gioc Waterfall is over 200 m wide and water falls from a height of 70 m over 3 reefs. In the sunlight we can watch the seven color waterfall. The color of the water depends on the weather in this area. You can ride on a boat (bamboo rafts) and watch the waterfall directly, it is fascinating. This waterfall is the largest in Vietnam, but not the highest.
Cao Bang is mainly mountainous with spectacular sceneries and suitable trails for trekking and exploring the ethnic minorities in the nearby villages of the city. In the winter, it is possible there will be snow fall and freezing conditions in the mountains of Cao Bang province, so be prepared with appropriate clothes.
Cao Bang has several important points of historical significance.
For example Pac Bo village (at the Bang Giang and Hien rivers). This is the place where Ho Chi Minh in January 1941 established a revolutionary force, it was at the Coc Bo cave. In 1920, the area has become an important cradle of the revolutionary movement in northern Vietnam. Another beautiful places in Cao Bang are Ky Sam palace, Coi Bin monastery, magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfall on the border with China and Thang Hen Mountain Lake.
Cao Bang town was damaged at war with China in 1979 and has been rebuilt. It lies on an altitude of 300 m, so there is a very beneficial climate through the all year. Markets which are held here, belongs to the largest in northern Vietnam, so you need to visit them when you are here.
Ban Gioc Waterfall is located 80 km north of Cao Bang town on the border with China. Ban Gioc Waterfall is over 200 m wide and water falls from a height of 70 m over 3 reefs. In the sunlight we can watch the seven color waterfall. The color of the water depends on the weather in this area. You can ride on a boat (bamboo rafts) and watch the waterfall directly, it is fascinating. This waterfall is the largest in Vietnam, but not the highest.
Ban Gioc is the 4th biggest waterfall in the world, which leads
over the boarder.
Nearby of this waterfall you will see the Tongling Gorge canyon, accessible only through the cave. You can see here a lot of endemic plants. About 4 km from the waterfall, you can visit one of the most interesting cave systems in Vietnam – Nguom Ngao. There is accessible 1 km long paved trail with lighting, and you can watch the huge stalactites and go in to the 100 m high chamber.
Nearby of this waterfall you will see the Tongling Gorge canyon, accessible only through the cave. You can see here a lot of endemic plants. About 4 km from the waterfall, you can visit one of the most interesting cave systems in Vietnam – Nguom Ngao. There is accessible 1 km long paved trail with lighting, and you can watch the huge stalactites and go in to the 100 m high chamber.
Only 20 km from the Cao Bang town is beautiful Thang Hen mountain
lake.
Thang Hen mountain lake in Tra Linh District consists of 36 small natural lakes on the hill at the height of 1,000 meters above the sea. The lakes were formed in limestone formations. Unusual phenomenon of these lakes is that the water level moves like the tide the sea. The lakes in Cao Bang form to the rivers that are bound for Ban Gioc Waterfall.
How to get to Cao Bang town:
Appropriate choice is to take a bus or train from Hanoi (Gia Lam bus stop) to Lang Son. In Lang Son you can stay for 2-3 days and then continue by bus to the city of Cao Bang. Or you can use a train from Hanoi (Gia Lam station) to Lang Son. There is no train connection in Cao Bang province.
There are some buses from Hanoi (My Dinh bus station) that can be used, for example Hung ThanhTravel company. These buses are going from Hanoi to Cao Bang town, online booking is possible, ticket price 180 000 dongs. It is better to buy a bus ticket in My Dinh bus station. You can also use this bus if you want to get in to the National Park and Ba Be lake, go to the Phu Tong town, get off here and take the bus to Cho Ra (10 km from Ba Be National Park).
Places of interest in Cao Bang:
• Pac Bo village (Coc Bo cave – a place where Ho Chi Minh founded the revolutionary force)
• Thang Hen Mountain Lake
• Ma Phuc pass on the road to the Ban Gioc waterfalls
• Ky Sam palace
• Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguoi Ngao cave, and Tongling Gorge canyon
• Coi Binh Monastery
• Markets in Cao Bang town.
Thang Hen mountain lake in Tra Linh District consists of 36 small natural lakes on the hill at the height of 1,000 meters above the sea. The lakes were formed in limestone formations. Unusual phenomenon of these lakes is that the water level moves like the tide the sea. The lakes in Cao Bang form to the rivers that are bound for Ban Gioc Waterfall.
How to get to Cao Bang town:
Appropriate choice is to take a bus or train from Hanoi (Gia Lam bus stop) to Lang Son. In Lang Son you can stay for 2-3 days and then continue by bus to the city of Cao Bang. Or you can use a train from Hanoi (Gia Lam station) to Lang Son. There is no train connection in Cao Bang province.
There are some buses from Hanoi (My Dinh bus station) that can be used, for example Hung ThanhTravel company. These buses are going from Hanoi to Cao Bang town, online booking is possible, ticket price 180 000 dongs. It is better to buy a bus ticket in My Dinh bus station. You can also use this bus if you want to get in to the National Park and Ba Be lake, go to the Phu Tong town, get off here and take the bus to Cho Ra (10 km from Ba Be National Park).
Places of interest in Cao Bang:
• Pac Bo village (Coc Bo cave – a place where Ho Chi Minh founded the revolutionary force)
• Thang Hen Mountain Lake
• Ma Phuc pass on the road to the Ban Gioc waterfalls
• Ky Sam palace
• Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguoi Ngao cave, and Tongling Gorge canyon
• Coi Binh Monastery
• Markets in Cao Bang town.
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