Being regarded as a green pearl of the Northeast region of Vietnam, Cao Bang possesses a pristine natural landscape with majestic mountains and waterfalls. Cao Bang is undoubtedly an ideal destination to immerse in nature and escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Let’s explore the top 11 amazing attractions in Cao Bang with Handspan Travel Indochina!

Through this blog post, you will know detailed information about these sites 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 in Cao Bang you should not miss. 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 may want to drop by these spots below.

Pac Bo Cave (Coc Bo Cave)

Pac Bo, or Coc Bo Cave, which is only 15 square meters, is the place with many imprints of Ho Chi Minh President. To reach the cave, you will have to pass through a wooden bridge over a stream, then climb about 300 stone steps along the mountainside. The wooden bed, the fireplace, and the stone table are kept intact inside the cave. 

Pac Bo Cave

Karl Marx Mountain

Karl Marx Mountain has an open but still secret terrain, which makes it an ideal place for revolutionary activities. The mountain is surrounded by large rock cliffs and lush green forests, creating magnificent scenery. 

Karl Marx Mountain

Lenin Stream

Lenin Stream appeals to tourists by the untouched and tranquil landscape. Except for July and August, Lenin Stream is crystal and has a turquoise color all time of the year. 

Lenin stream

With historical values and pristine natural scenery, Pac Bo special national relic site is no doubt among the worth-visiting attractions in Cao Bang. Let’s come and explore this spot yourself!

Ban Gioc Waterfall

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

Ban Gioc Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Vietnam, is also one of the amazing attractions in Cao Bang you should visit. It is 60 meters high, 300 meters wide, with three floors of limestone rock.

Ban Gioc Waterfall

The waterfall adores tourists through its majestic scenery surrounded by lush forests and mountains. Following the flow of the Quay Son River, the water overflows the sub-waterfalls, creating a stunning landscape. The waterfall has a different beauty at each time of the year. If you visit Ban Gioc Waterfall in the rainy season, which is from June to August, you will see a great flow pouring white foam. In September and October, you will see the picturesque scenery of the waterfall outstanding with the yellow color of the rice fields.

Coming to Ban Gioc Waterfall, you may want to join these activities below.

Boating 

Instead of standing on the river banks, you may want to stay on a boat to see a panoramic view of the waterfall. You can feel the large volume of water rushing down the river's surface.

Boating in the Ban Gioc Waterfall

Camping

Camping by the waterfall will be an exciting experience. You can admire the waterfall while enjoying a cup of coffee, relaxing, and chatting with friends. 

Camping in the Ban Gioc Waterfall

Quay Son River

Among the attractive attractions in Cao Bang, Quay Son River is also worth visiting. The river impresses tourists with jade-green river water, except for rainy or stormy days. 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.

Quay Son River

The whole river is about 89 kilometers long, with an area of 1,160 square kilometers. The section of the river flowing through Cao Bang is 49 kilometers long. Below are wonderful experiences in Quay Son River.

Kayaking

Kayaking or boating is the best way to enjoy the river’s charm to the fullest. You can do kayaking from Ban Gioc Waterfall to Dam Thuy, or from Keo Na, Hang Thoang, and Thoong Cot Village to Dit Village. The best time for boating is from October to March the next year.

Kayaking on the Quay Son River

Swimming

Quay Son River is an ideal place for immersing in cool water. However, you should choose the calm water sections near residential areas.

Trying local dishes

Quay Son River flows through many villages. Therefore, you will have a chance to enjoy delicious local specialties. 

Nguom Ngao Cave

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

Nguom Ngao Cave is also one of the impressive attractions in Cao Bang. This 2,144-meter-long cave has three entrances: Nguom Ngao, Nguom Lom, and Ban Thuon. You will visit the cave from Nguom Lom gate and get out of the cave from Nguom Ngao gate. 

Nguom Ngao Cave

Visiting the cave, you will be amazed by the magnificent scenery inside the cave. Besides a vast space, Nguom Ngao Cave also possesses a unique stalagmite system in different sizes and shapes protruding from the ground or falling from above. The 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

Nguom Ngao Cave

Let’s come to Nguom Ngao Cave and develop your imagination!

Nguom Puc Cave

Nguom Puc Cave is among the untouched attractions in Cao Bang you may not want to miss. The cave is located deep inside the rocky mountain range between Le Loi Commune, Thach An District in Cao Bang Province, and Quoc Khanh Commune, Trang Dinh District in Lang Son City.  It has a depth of nearly 100 meters from the entrance, stretching with a system of pristine stalactites. 

Nguom Puc Cave

Nguom Puc Cave

The terrain inside the cave is fairly different to explore. You will have to go through narrow rock crevices and dangerous mountain slopes. Therefore, it will be better if you have a local guide go with you. Coming inside the cave, you will see a spacious area with majestic stalagmites falling from a high ceiling. 

Nguom Puc Cave

Nguom Puc Cave

Mat Than Mountain 

Mat Than Moutain, located in Quoc Toan Commune, Tra Linh District of Cao Bang Province, is also among the wonderful attractions in Cao Bang. It is also called “Thung Mountain”, as there is a circular hole looking like an eye piercing the mountain.

Mat Than Mountain

The mountain is about 50 kilometers from Cao Bang city’s center. To reach the mountain, you will pass through the Ma Phuc Pass, one of the most well-known passes in Cao Bang. The pass is extremely winding with the shape of seven sloping floors among the limestone mountains. 

Ma Phuc Pass

Mat Than Mountain is surrounded by a large valley with green grass stretching, and wild and peaceful scenery. Coming here, you can immerse yourself in a peaceful scenery, and see the cows and horses grazing on the grassland. Besides Mat Than Mountain, the Nam Tra Waterfall nearby is also worth visiting. 

Mat Than Mountain

Mat Than Mountain

Khuoi Ky ancient stone village

• Location: Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province

Khuoi Ky ancient stone village is also one of the attractions in Cao Bang you should drop by. It is about three kilometers from Ban Gioc Waterfall, and 100 kilometers from Cao Bang city’s center. Located on the border between Vietnam and China, the village is not only famous for ancient history but for unique architecture as well. 

Khuoi Ky ancient stone village

Khuoi Ky ancient stone village

The village has 14 Tay ethnic households living in stone houses on stilts that have existed for hundreds of years. In the Tay people’s mind, the stilt house is a sacred place to store the characteristics of traditional material and spiritual life for generations. Coming to Khuoi Ky ancient stone village, besides immersing yourself in pristine nature, you will also have a chance to learn about the history, culture, and life of the local people. You will definitely be amazed by the development process of the Tay people here.

Khuoi Ky ancient stone village

Khuoi Ky ancient stone village

Giuong Village 

• Address: Tien Thanh Commune, Quang Hoa District, Cao Bang Province

If you want to explore the Tay people’s culture, Giuong Village is also among the attractions in Cao Bang you should visit. One of the village’s outstanding characteristics is the ancient stilt houses that existed for more than one hundred years. These houses have three compartments divided into different areas: the place of worship, the place to welcome guests, the bedroom, the kitchen, and the place to store agricultural tools, food, etc. Each house is made of wood, roofed with trough tiles, which are durable over time. 

Giuong Village

A local house in the Giuong Village

Visiting the village, you will have an opportunity to learn about the locals’ communicative language, their traditional clothes, and handicrafts. Besides agriculture and weaving, the Tay ethnic people in the Giuong Village also have the traditional knitting craft using bamboo to make daily products such as mats, cots, tables, chairs, etc. Staying in a local homestay is the best way to make friends with local people and join their daily activities. You can experience fishing in the stream, knitting agricultural tools, trying local specialties, and listening to the locals’ traditional music, etc. 

Local women in the Giuong Village

Besides learning about the locals’ life, Giuong Village is also an ideal place to immerse in the stunning natural landscape. The village is surrounded by mountains, streams, small winding roads, and beautiful rice and corn fields. Let’s come and explore the village yourself!

Ban Viet Lake

• Location: Ban Viet Village, Tan Phong, Phong Chau Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province

Ban Viet Lake, a 5-hectare-wide artificial freshwater lake, is also among the attractions in Cao Bang you should not miss. Coming here, you can immerse yourself in stunning pristine nature. Here are some experiences in Ban Viet Lake you may want to join.

Boating on the lake

Ban Viet Lake stretches through exceptionally beautiful scenery and villages. Boating on the crystal jade green water is the best way to explore the lake. You will have a chance to soak in the mountains and forests surrounding the lake.

Ban Viet Lake

Trekking or walking along the lake

Trekking is also available in Ban Viet Lake. You can trek through the forests to the top of a mountain and see the lake from above or walk along the lake to admire the surrounding landscapes. 

Camping

Ban Viet Lake is an ideal place for camping in Cao Bang. You can prepare a tent, snacks and do camping with your friends and family. 

Ban Viet Lake

Phia Oac Mountain

• Location: Thanh Cong Commune, Nguyen Binh District, Cao Bang Province

Phia Oac Mountain, 1,931 meters high, is one of the outstanding attractions in Cao Bang. The mountain is famous for its charming scenery all year round, especially in the winter. 

Phia Oac Peak in spring

Phia Oac Mountain is covered by tropical forests with extremely rich vegetation. Through the journey to conquer the top of Phia Oac Peak, you can admire the magnificent landscape and explore wonderful nature. The closer you get to the peak, the more beautiful the scenery is. If you come here in the spring, which is from February to March, you can see a sea of floating clouds and different types of forest flowers like azaleas, orchids, etc. Whereas in winter, the forests are covered with snow and mist, which creates a fanciful and mysterious scenery. 

Phia Oac Peak in winter

Phia Oac Peak in winter

Let’s come and explore Phia Oac Mountain yourself!

Pac Rang Village

• Location: Phuc Sen Commune, Quang Uyen District, Cao Bang Province

Also on the list of the fascinating attractions in Cao Bang, Pac Rang Village appeals to tourists by the idyll landscape and cool atmosphere. This village is home to 250 Nung An ethnic minority people with their own unique cultural characteristics. 

Visiting the village, you will feel impressed by the Nung An people’s traditional houses on stilts with two floors. The first floor has the cattle barn, toilet, and smithy while the second floor includes bedrooms, living room, and kitchen, and the mezzanine is used to store agricultural products. Coming to Pac Rang Village, you will have a chance to learn about the Nung An people’s culture, daily life, and traditional crafts. You will be guided on how to forge knives and production tools or participate in the process of making linen clothes from growing cotton, rolling cotton, spinning, and dyeing fabrics to weaving, sewing, and embroidery, etc. Smithing and weaving are two main traditional crafts in the village. While smithing requires men to have good health and endurance, weaving expects ingenuity from women. 

Smithing in the Pac Rang Village

A blacksmith in the Pac Rang Village

Let’s visit Pac Rang Village and exchange culture with the locals here!

In conclusion, you have just known about the most fascinating attractions in Cao Bang. Now, it’s time to prepare your luggage and visit Cao Bang. If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Besides, let’s refer to our blog post here for things you need to know before traveling to Cao Bang: Cao Bang travel guide.