Cao Bang, about 270 kilometers north of Hanoi, attracts tourists through its stunning natural landscape, cultural heritage, and historical significance. Let’s find out things you may want to know before traveling to Cao Bang with Handspan Travel Indochina!

Through this blog post, you will know the pieces of information below. 

General information about Cao Bang

Cao Bang is a mountainous province located in the Northeast of Vietnam. It shares borders with China to the North and East, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang Province to the West, and Bac Kan and Lang Son Province to the South. This destination is home to various limestone karst mountains, caves, waterfalls, and lakes.

Cao Bang

Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, and Thang Hen Lake are some featured scenic spots in Cao Bang. Besides the natural landscape, Cao Bang is also known for its valuable historical sites, like Pac Bo special national relic site, the national monument Tran Hung Dao Forest, and Dong Khe Victory Historical Site. 

Traveling to Cao Bang, besides visiting outstanding attractions, you will also have a chance to learn about the locals’ culture. Cao Bang is home to many ethnic minority groups, such as Tay, Nung, H’mong, Dao, and San Chi. Each group has its unique traditions, costumes, and way of life. 

Tay ethnic people in Cao Bang

Thanks to the abundance of natural resources and diverse ethnic minority groups’ cultures, Cao Bang is undoubtedly an ideal place for both adventure seekers and cultural enthusiasts. Let’s keep reading for more detailed information about this destination!

The ideal time to travel to Cao Bang

Before traveling to Cao Bang, you may want to know about the weather condition here. Cao Bang has a favorable weather climate. Therefore, you can travel to Cao Bang any time you want. Let’s see Cao Bang each season to decide your itinerary!

Cao Bang in the spring (February & March)

Cao Bang’s weather at this time is extremely cool and mild, with an average temperature of about 20 Celsius degrees. It is exceptionally suitable for outdoor activities like trekking and cycling through the forests. While joining these activities, you will have a chance to admire blooming flowers and lush greenery. 

Cao Bang in spring

Cao Bang in the summer (from April to August)

Cao Bang’s temperature in the summer ranges from 25 to 35 Celsius degrees. At this time, the Ban Gioc Waterfall and other lakes and waterfalls in Cao Bang are at their fullest with impressive views. However, there is a high possibility of heavy rain and thunderstorms, especially in July and August, which may affect your trip. Therefore, you may want to check the weather carefully before traveling to Cao Bang at this time.

Cao Bang’s autumn (September & October) 

For many tourists, this is the best time to visit Cao Bang due to the flavor weather condition, and stunning landscape. Autumn is the season of buckwheat flowers and the time when all the rice fields turn yellow, creating magnificent scenery. 

Cao Bang’s winter (from November to January)

Cao Bang’s weather in winter is cold and foggy, with little rain. The temperature is from 10 to 18 Celcius degrees in the daytime and drops to 5 Celsius degrees at nighttime. This time is also an ideal time for outdoor activities in Cao Bang. 

Overall, the best time to visit depends on your preferences. Just remember to check the climate condition in advance before traveling to Cao Bang. For more detailed information, please check our blog post here: Cao Bang throughout the year: What is the ideal time to visit Cao Bang?

How to get to Cao Bang from Hanoi?

There are several ways to get to Cao Bang from Hanoi. You can choose amongst these means of transportation below.

By motorbike 

If you are an adventurous lover, traveling to Cao Bang from Hanoi by motorbike is an ideal choice. By driving a motorbike, you can be proactive about your travel time and route and stop at any spot on the way. You can follow one of the two routes below. 

• The first route: Hanoi - National Highway 3 - Thai Nguyen - Bac Kan - Cao Bang
• The second route: Hanoi - Highway 4 - Lang Son - Mau Son - Dong Khe - That Khe - Cao Bang

Although driving a motorbike is ideal for admiring the landscape, you should be careful if you are unfamiliar with the Vietnamese transportation system. If you are not confident with your driving skill, traveling to Cao Bang by bus or a limousine will be better. 

By bus

Taking a bus is one of the most convenient and economical ways to get to Cao Bang from Hanoi. There are several bus companies operating the route from Hanoi. The buses run from My Dinh bus station, with a price from VND 200,000. Khanh Hoan, Tam Nghia, Vinh Dung, and Thanh Ly are some bus companies you can choose from. 

Khanh Hoan bus

Tam Nghia bus 

By limousine

Compared to the bus, using a limousine with fewer seats is more comfortable for getting to Cao Bang. It takes you from VND 400,000 per seat per turn, depending on the position of the seat you choose. Kim Dung Limousine, Thien Van Limousine, Viet Ngan Limousine, and Thuan An Travel Limousine are some limousine companies you can refer to.

Thien Van Limousine

Thuan An Travel Limousine

For more detailed information, please refer to our blog post here: How to get from Hanoi to Cao Bang? Besides these above means of transportation, you can hire a private car if you want to travel to Cao Bang in your own group. Please do not hesitate to contact us if needed.

Attractions to visit in Cao Bang

Cao Bang has not only a beautiful natural landscape but also meaningful historical sites. Let’s explore these amazing attractions below.

Pac Bo special national relic site

• Address: Truong Ha Commune, Ha Quang District, Cao Bang Province
• Entrance fee: VND 25,000

Pac Bo special national relic site is one of the attractions you may want to visit when you travel to Cao Bang. It is the place where Ho Chi Minh President, the leader of the Vietnamese independence movement, lived and organized revolutionary activities. Until now, Pac Bo special national relic site still keeps intact the evidence of his life and revolutionary career. Coming here, you will have a chance to learn about Vietnam’s revolutionary and admire the magnificent natural landscape. Due to the spacious campus, it may take you a half day to explore this spot. Lenin Stream, Karl Marx Mountain, Pac Bo Village, Coc Bo Cave, and Ly Quoc Sung’s house are some outstanding spots here. 

Bac Po Cave

Lenin stream

Karl Marx Mountain

Ban Gioc Waterfall

• Address: Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province
• Sightseeing fee: VND 45,000

Ban Gioc Waterfall is not only the most magnificent waterfall in Vietnam but also one of the largest waterfalls in the world. It divides the boundary between Vietnam and China, with one part belonging to Vietnam and another part belonging to China. The waterfall appeals to tourists by the majestic scenery surrounded by lush forests and mountains. The time between September and October is the best time to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall.

Ban Gioc Waterfall

Quay Son River

Quay Son River, originating from Guang Xi Province of China, attracts tourists through the stunning landscapes along the river banks. This river flows through Vietnam’s territory near the Po Peo border gate, Trung Khanh District. From Ngoc Khe Commune of Trung Khanh District, the river winds through Dinh Phong, Chi Vien, Dam Thuy Communes, Ha Lang District then flows to China. You can experience kayaking, boating, and canoeing on the river to admire green bamboo groves, ripe rice fields, plains with buffalo herds, etc. 

Quay Son River

Kayaking on the Quay Son River

Nguom Ngao Cave

• Address: Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province
• Sightseeing fee: VND 45,000

Nguom Ngao Cave, 2,144 meters high, is an impressive cave system in Cao Bang. The cave has three entrances: Nguom Ngao, Nguom Lom, and Ban Thuon. Nguom Ngao Cave has three main areas whereas the center area is the largest with diverse stunning stalactites and stalagmites. The other two areas are also impressive. 

Nguom Ngao Cave

Thang Hen Lake

Thang Hen Lake is 1,000 meters above sea level. The lake is surrounded by karst formations, ideal for boating. 

Thang Hen Lake

Mat Than Mountain (Thung Mountain)

Mat Than Moutain, located in Quoc Toan Commune, Tra Linh District of Cao Bang Province, is 39 kilometers from Cao Bang’s city center. This mountain is also called “Thung Mountain”, as there is a circular hole looking like an eye piercing the mountain. Mat Than Mountain is surrounded by a large valley with green grass stretching, and wild and peaceful scenery. 

Mat Than Mountain

For more spots to visit in Cao Bang, please refer to our blog post here: The top 11 amazing attractions in Cao Bang you should not miss. 

Specialties in Cao Bang

Traveling to Cao Bang, besides visiting outstanding spots, you should also try delicious specialties here. Below are some dishes you may not want to miss.

Pho chua (Sour Pho)

Pho chua is a famous food in Cao Bang. The Vietnamese noodle is served with deep-fried crispy bacon, thinly sliced pork liver, fried pork stomach, roasted duck meat, and deep-fried yams. Besides, honeysuckle leaves, peanuts, basil, coriander, and cucumber are also indispensable. 

Trung Khanh Chestnuts 

Trung Khanh District in Cao Bang is well-known for its flavorful chestnuts. The chestnuts are popular with both locals and visitors. You can find roasted chestnuts in many street vendors throughout the province.

Banh Cuon Cao Bang (Cao Bang steamed rice rolls)

Steamed rice roll is also a must-try food in Cao Bang. The rolled rice cake is made from rice flour, ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, egg, and other spices. Banh cuon Cao Bang is served with a bowl of sweet bone broth. 

Cao Bang steame rice rolls

Accommodations in Cao Bang

Traveling to Cao Bang, you can choose to stay in the hotels or resorts in Cao Bang City or near the Ban Gioc Waterfall which are convenient to reach some tourist attractions in Cao Bang. Let’s refer to these homestays, hotels, and resorts below. 

Sai Gon - Ban Gioc Resort

• Address: Ban Gioc Village, Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province
• Contact: (84-206) 3.829.228
• Room rates: from VND 1,000,000/ room/ night

Sai Gon - Ban Gioc Resort is one of the best choices of accommodations in Cao Bang. The resort’s design is in harmony with the natural landscape and unique culture of the indigenous people. 

Saigon - Ban Gioc Resort

The resort has 53 rooms in total, divided into three types: Superior, Deluxe, and Suite room. All rooms are equipped with many facilities like wifi, two-way air-conditioning, international phone, minibar, etc. 

Besides room services, Sai Gon - Ban Gioc Resort’s restaurant is also impressive. The restaurant serves both European and Asian dishes (Set menu/ A La Carte) and local food. 

Sunny Cao Bang Hotel

• Address: 40 Kim Dong Street, Cao Bang City, Cao Bang Province
• Contact: 0206 382 8888
• Room rates: from VND 580,000

Sunny Hotel is located in the center of Cao Bang City. The hotel has 75 rooms in total. You can choose from five room types: Standard room, Superior room, Deluxe room, VIP room, and Royal Suite. 

Sunny Cao Bang Hotel

Muong Thanh Luxury Cao Bang

• Address: 42 Kim Dong Street, Cao Bang City, Cao Bang Province
• Contact: 02063 888 088
• Room rates: from VND 1,325,000

Muong Thanh Luxury is the largest hotel in Cao Bang. The hotel has 223 rooms with a panoramic view of Cao Bang City. There are seven room types: Deluxe room, Premium Deluxe room, Executive Suite, Resident Family Suite, Resident Executive Suite, Royal Suite, and President Suite. All rooms are provided with two-way conditioning, a minibar, TV, etc. The hotel also has many utilities and services, such as a spa, swimming pool, Gym/ Fitness center, karaoke, restaurant, and lounge. 

Muong Thanh Luxury Cao Bang

In conclusion, you have just learned some detailed information about Cao Bang. Hope that these pieces of information be helpful to your trip. Should you need any assistance with hotel/ tours, please feel free to contact us anytime.