Cao Bang is a mountainous border province in northeastern Vietnam, globally renowned as the home of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark. It captivates domestic and international visitors alike with a magnificent blend of geological heritage dating back millions of years—including limestone mountains, caves, and underground rivers—some of Southeast Asia’s most majestic waterfalls, and a proud revolutionary history.
Cao Bang tourism is increasingly receiving more and more attention from everyone, especially young people. So what does Cao Bang have? Let’sexploreinteresting Cao Bang tourist destinations with Smile Travel !
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Cao Bang tourism introduction
Cao Bang is a mountainous province located in the Northeast of Vietnam and bordering China. Due to being dissected by a dense river system, Cao Bang’s terrain has many mountains and valleys.
The climate here is quite cool and has two distinct seasons: rainy season and dry season. The rainy season usually lasts from April to September, and the dry season will start from October to March of the following year. This is also the point that you need to pay attention to when choosing the right time to travel to Cao Bang .
Top 10 must-see tourist destinations in Cao Bang
So where should you go when traveling to Cao Bang ? Let’s take a look at the places not to be missed when coming to this land!
1. Ban Gioc Waterfall
Perhaps this is a destination that is no longer strange to many young people, right? And when mentioning Cao Bang, the first destination that must be mentioned is this waterfall. Located in the top 4 largest transnational waterfalls in the world, this place is increasingly attracting many tourists to Cao Bang to admire.
The waterfalls intertwine into white layers flowing down, creating a majestic scene of Cao Bang mountains and rivers.
Border Crossing Regulations & Ticket Prices (Latest 2026 Update)
Following a trial period, the Ban Gioc (Vietnam) – Detian (China) Waterfall Scenic Area is now officially in operation, offering a unique experience for visitors from both countries:
- Opening hours: 07:00 to 16:00 daily.
- Sightseeing ticket prices (Vietnam side): 45,000 VND per adult and 20,000 VND per child.
- Bamboo raft experience at the base of the waterfall: The listed price is 50,000 VND per person per trip. You will ride a covered bamboo raft while a boatman steers you close to the cascading water, allowing you to feel the cool spray on your face and capture close-up photos of the majestic falls.
- Border crossing regulations (For those wishing to visit the Chinese side): Visitors from both countries may register via tour groups (sponsored by travel agencies) to pass through the designated border checkpoint and visit the neighboring country’s section of the scenic area for up to five hours, using either a passport or a border pass. Traveling independently into the Chinese interior is not permitted.
2. Truc Lam Buddhist Temple
This is the first pagoda built in the northern border of the country. The Truc Lam Ban Gioc Buddhist Pagoda was built majestically and spaciously on Phia Nham mountain, in Ban Gioc, Dam Thuy commune, about 500m from Ban Gioc waterfall. From the pagoda, you can see the entire Ban Gioc waterfall and a large space below.
Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda leans against the mountain, in front is a large space, with fields, mountains and endless green trees, creating a peaceful picture of the Vietnamese countryside. Refer to Smile Travel ‘s 3-day, 2-night Cao Bang tour to explore Cao Bang right away!
3. Pac Bo – Lenin Stream relic site
This is the place that Uncle Ho chose as the revolutionary leadership base and is the place that left an important mark in the nation’s resistance war against France and America. Through many ups and downs of history, today this place still preserves almost intact the evidence and marks of the revolution and of the great President Ho Chi Minh.
Along with the cool, gentle stream of Lenin stream, when you come here, you will feel a strangely peaceful and pleasant feeling. Put this place in your Cao Bang travel itinerary.
4. Nguom Ngao Cave
Besides Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave can also be considered a masterpiece of nature given to Cao Bang. Inside the cave is like a maze with stalactites of different sizes. The uniqueness in the shape of the stalactites is something that any tourist traveling to Cao Bang must admire and praise.
Unique stalactite and stalagmite treasures inside the cave.
The cave has a total surveyed length of approximately 2,144m, but currently, the traditional route opened to tourists is about 1km. Upon entering the cave, you will be overwhelmed by a “labyrinth” of shimmering stalactites that glow under artistic lighting.
- The Upside-Down Lotus Stalactite Formation: This is the most valuable symbol of Nguom Ngao Cave. The gigantic stalactite formation, perfectly symmetrical and carved by nature, resembles a floating, inverted lotus flower. Legend says that if you stand beneath this lotus formation and catch the pure groundwater droplets falling from it, you will experience good fortune in life.
- The Lonely Stone Tree: A solitary stalactite rising straight up in the heart of a spacious cave, its rough, moss-covered structure resembling an ancient, majestic tree.
- The cool, murmuring underground stream: An underground stream flows through the cave. In the summer, when stepping from the scorching 32°C outside into the cave, the temperature suddenly drops to only 18°C – 22°C , and the cool, refreshing mist rising provides an incredibly invigorating feeling.
Thousands of fascinating shapes:
- Depending on your imagination , you might encounter rock formations resembling flooded terraced fields, coral reefs, animals, or even a stone xylophone that produces resonant sounds when lightly tapped.
Survival travel tips for tourists
- Clothing and Footwear: The cave floor is damp year-round due to water dripping from the ceiling, and some sections of the concrete walkways may be slightly slippery or covered in moss. You must wear athletic shoes with good grip or aqua shoes for wading through water. Avoid high heels or flip-flops as they are slippery and dangerous.
- Bring a light jacket: The large temperature difference between the inside of the cave (around 20°C) and the hot, sunny Chongqing outside can cause mild heat shock for those with weak constitutions. If your group includes elderly people or children , bring a light windbreaker or scarf to wear when entering the cave.
- For Instagram-worthy photos: The colored lighting system inside the cave is quite dim to protect the rock formations, so you should turn on Night Mode on your phone and avoid using a direct flash as it will diminish the vibrant, natural golden color of the stalactites and stalagmites.
5. Thang Hen Lake
Located about 50m from Cao Bang city, this is one of the most beautiful places that most backpackers love.
The lake is covered with a jade green color all year round, surrounded by limestone mountains. Coming here, you will feel like you are lost in a fairyland. Coming here, you can also choose to sit on a boat drifting on the lake to admire the scenery around the lake. This is truly an extremely ideal check-in location in Cao Bang for those who love taking pictures.
6. God’s Eye Mountain
If you are a nature lover and want to immerse yourself in a cool green space, then Mat Than Mountain will probably make you extremely excited.
Mat Than Mountain is nestled in the valley between Thang Hen Lake complex of Cao Bang Non Nuoc Geopark , where the scenery is extremely charming with vast grasslands next to vast blue lakes stretching across the sky. It would be great to come here with friends and camp together, chat, and admire the beauty of nature.
The fascinating phenomenon of changing landscapes between the two seasons.
The most unique feature of Mount Eye of God is the completely different appearance of the Thang Hen complex of 36 interconnected lakes depending on the water level during the rainy season:
- Dry season camping (September – March of the following year): This is the most magnificent “golden hour” to visit. At this time, the lake water completely recedes, revealing a vast, lush green meadow with velvety soft grass winding around the mountains. At the foot of the mountains, the crystal-clear Nặm Trá waterfall flows gently. This is the ideal time for tourists to organize camping trips, picnics, bonfires, and take Instagram-worthy photos.
- The lake season (April – August): When the rainy season arrives, water from underground springs overflows, flooding the valley and transforming the green meadows into a giant, emerald-green lake reflecting the gnarled mountains. At this time, the best experience is renting a SUP or kayak and gliding leisurely across the vast lake.
Ticket information & Must-try experiences
- Admission fee: Completely free entry.
- Watch the sunrise through the “Mountain Eye”: If camping overnight, wake up at 5:30 AM . The rising sun shining obliquely through the hole on the other side of the mountain will create a magical, artistic light effect.
- Discover the life of the indigenous Tay people: Surrounding the valley are the rustic villages of the Tay ethnic group. You can stroll around, admire the ancient stilt houses, watch herds of buffalo grazing peacefully, and enjoy local specialties such as roast duck, smoked sausage, or “banh khao” (a type of rice cake).
7. Me Pia Pass
Located on National Highway 4A, the section connecting Xuan Truong commune to the center of Bao Lac border district, Cao Bang province . This is a 14-level pass with many consecutive sharp turns.
To be able to fully admire the entire Me Pia Pass, you have to trek along the forest path to reach the top. Therefore, for tourists who want to challenge and conquer themselves, this is also a quite attractive Cao Bang tourist destination .
8. Cao Bang ancient stone village
As a fan of checking in and taking virtual photos, you definitely should not miss this Cao Bang tourist destination . As an ancient village with unique architecture, the village attracts many curious tourists to visit and explore.
If you have known about stilt houses – houses made of wood, then in the stone village, the houses are made entirely of stone, extremely unique and new. Not only that, when you come here, you can hear mysterious stories about the village.
9. Nam Tra Waterfall
Located in the valley of Ban Danh hamlet, Quoc Toan commune, Tra Linh district, Cao Bang with majestic and wild natural beauty, attracting many tourists to visit and explore. At any time you come to Cao Bang , this place always retains its inherent natural beauty, making it possible for tourists to comfortably come here all year round, enjoying an interesting vacation with family and relatives.
10. Cao Bang market
The beauty of the highland people is not only expressed through their costumes and dishes, but also through the Market sessions. Immersing yourself in the hustle and bustle of the market, you will discover the differences of the people here. This is also an extremely interesting Cao Bang tourist destination that you should experience when traveling here.
- Full Day Tour In Cao Bang Ban Gioc
- Majestic Northeast Vietnam: Ban Gioc Waterfall & Ba Be Lake 3 Days/2 Nights
Thus, Cao Bang is a land with many majestic and beautiful natural landscapes. If you are planning to travel to Cao Bang , Smile Travel always has a Cao Bang tour package, helping you have a specific schedule and save costs.
Contact:
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- Email: smiletravelindochina@gmail.com
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