General Information for Cao Bang
Cao Bang Province (Cao Bằng) with its capital of the same name borders with China on the east of northern Vietnam. There are approximately 550,000 inhabitants in this province. A lot of people are from ethnic groups such as Tay, Nung, Dzao and Hmong. Cao Bang Province belongs to the one of the poorest region in the North of Vietnam, but nature is fascinating and you should definitely visit this place if you are already in the north of Vietnam.
Cao Bang is mainly mountainous with spectacular scenery and good trails for trekking and exploring the ethnic minorities in the surrounding villages. In the winter snow fall is possible and there will be freezing conditions in the mountains of Cao Bang province.
How to get from Hanoi to Cao Bang
1. From Hanoi to Cao Bang town by sleeper bus of taxi
You can also use some of these buses if you want to get into the National Park and Ba be lake. Some buses go over the Phu Tong town, get off there and take a local bus / mototaxi “xe om”to Cho Ra (10 km from Ba Be National Park).
2. The other way is from Hanoi to Lang Son and from Lang Son to Cao Bang
You can take bus or train from Hanoi to Lang Son province ( Dong Dang city) and then take a bus to the city of Cao Bang
Weather in Cao Bang?
Cao Bang is not mountainous as Ha Giang, there are some hill areas. There is very hot in the summer months and in the winter months may be cold. You can visit Cao Bang all year round.
Places of Interest in Cao Bang
1. Pac Bo historical site – a place where Ho Chi Minh founded the revolutionary force it’s also famous for Le nin Spring, Cac Mac Moutain, Memorial house of Ho Chi Minh President.
2. Ban Gioc Waterfall and Nguom Ngao cave:
Ban Gioc Waterfall is the 4th biggest waterfall in the world, located 80 km of Cao Bang town on the border with China. Ban Gioc Waterfall is over 200m wide and the water falls from a height of 70m. In the sunlight you can watch the seven colour waterfall. The colour of the water depends on the weather in this area. You can ride on a boat (bamboo rafts) and watch the waterfall directly.
Ban Gioc waterfall is one of the top tourist and visited site in Cao Bang Province. You can travel by motorbike as the road is in good condition.
Nguom Ngao cave is closed to Ban Gioc waterfall. It is just 4 km from the Ban Gioc waterfall. It is one of the largest caves in Cao Bang province and easily accessible.
3. Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc pagoda is only about 500m from the Ban Gioc waterfall. You can go up and see whole waterfall. Phat Tich Truc Lam pagoda attracts many tourists (mainly Vietnamese) throughout the year.
Source: Vietnam Travel Guide
