Must-Visit: Top 13 Destinations in Cao Bằng

Upon setting foot in Cao Bằng, your first stop should be to explore Cao Bằng City. With the clear Bằng Giang River gracefully winding around the city, the Bằng Giang Bridge spanning the river, tree-lined streets, and friendly locals, this city is ideal for sightseeing. Roaming the sidewalks with a cup of iced tea or sugarcane juice in hand, you can leisurely stroll, taking in the surroundings. It's an enjoyable experience, isn't it?

As the day turns into night, the city becomes serene. Unlike other bustling cities, Cao Bằng City is quiet in the evening. To fully appreciate the city's nighttime beauty, choose accommodation along the riverbank to enjoy the breeze from the Bằng Giang River. While not overly glamorous, Cao Bằng City's charm unfolds when you experience it firsthand.

Bản Giốc Waterfall stands as Vietnam's most majestic and beautiful waterfall, located in Ðàm Thủy commune, Trùng Khánh district, Cao Bằng. Bản Giốc Waterfall consists of two parts, the main part situated on the Vietnam-China border, separated by the Quây Sơn River flowing below, and the remaining part entirely within Vietnamese territory. The main waterfall is about 100 meters wide, 70 meters high, and 60 meters deep, presenting a pristine, enchanting white cascade across the mountains and forests.

You will be captivated by the beauty of Bản Giốc Waterfall - one of Vietnam's most stunning waterfalls. From a distance, the white flowing water creates a magnificent and shimmering panorama. Up close, you can admire and indulge in the refreshing air of this place, undoubtedly finding it delightful. After exploring Bản Giốc Waterfall, make sure to visit the Trúc Lâm Bản Giốc pagoda. From the pagoda, you can have an overview of Bản Giốc Waterfall.

Pác Bó, the two words resonate, stirring the hearts with the reminiscence of the historic relics of yesteryears. A place that touched the heart of the revolutionary leader - President Hồ Chí Minh, making his soul flutter with the picturesque scene of 'Morning by the stream, evening in the cave.' Pác Bó was beautiful from the beginning and has become even more enchanting. Traveling to the remote Cao Bằng and stopping at Historical Site Pác Bó, tourists not only have the chance to reminisce about the glorious past but also witness a breathtaking painting like a mythical fairyland. The towering rocky cliffs, the meandering streams, the enchanting lakes reflecting the sky and the lush greenery changing colors with the seasons, create a breathtaking scenery, transporting visitors into a fairy tale.

Visiting Historical Site Pác Bó, you can embark on fascinating journeys. Learn more about the great leader of the nation, as this is where Uncle Hồ first set foot upon returning after more than 30 years of wandering to seek the path to save the country. Moreover, if you are a mountain enthusiast, this place is ideal. Hiking amidst the fresh, cool air, carrying a bit of wilderness and solitude, will be an exciting experience as you step into this land.

Address: Pác Bó, Hà Quảng, Cao Bằng
Opening hours: 07:00 - 17:00

Thang Hen Lake stands as the most beautiful lake among the 36 lakes nestled in the mountainous region of Trà Lĩnh district. This place is renowned for its serene beauty and emerald waters, located approximately 50 km from Cao Bằng city. It's a destination that beckons wanderers to 'pack their backpacks and go.'

Early in the morning, looking down from above, the lake appears mystical, shrouded in morning mist, resembling an enchanting fairyland. Boating across, you can admire wild orchids or rare mountain animals and listen to the emotional tunes of sli, lượn, and then singing. If you visit Thang Hen during the ripe rice season, you'll witness golden, neatly ripened rice fields, resembling a gigantic woven tapestry crafted by the hands of nature, satisfying the senses amidst the sweet aroma of young rice.

More than just a haven for backpackers, this place is also an ideal spot for outdoor picnics. Here, besides enjoying the scenic landscapes of majestic mountains, picturesque rivers, and charming valleys, paddling from one lake to another, relishing authentic ethnic dishes, you can also savor the rich, warm fragrance of distilled liquor made from corn and leaves using traditional methods of the Tày ethnic people. Thang Hen Lake presents a harmonious natural landscape with rows of green trees stretching along steep cliffs, casting reflections on the emerald water surface, winding through the valley like the undulating curves of submerged rock formations.

Ngườm Ngao Cave stretches over 2,144 meters, situated within a mountain in Gun village, Đàm Thủy commune, Trùng Khánh district, approximately 50 km from Cao Bằng city and 3 km from Bản Giốc waterfall. Due to its challenging location with winding and perilous mountainous roads from Cao Bằng to Trùng Khánh, Ngườm Ngao Cave was relatively unknown in the past. However, with the rising trend of adventurous travel in Vietnam, Ngườm Ngao Cave has gained popularity and become as hot as Bản Giốc waterfall or Pắc Bó Cave when mentioning Cao Bằng.

With the enchanting beauty of stalactite formations in various shapes and sizes, Ngườm Ngao Cave is acclaimed as the most beautiful cave in Vietnam. Formed about 300 million years ago, this cave nestled within the mountains showcases fascinating images resembling pink silk threads, mother's milk breast, a divine toad, a stone harp, and more. Noteworthy features include coral-shaped formations, a ship, golden and silver waterfalls, an inverted lotus tower, and a solitary stone pillar – all created by nature without human intervention, yet vivid and captivating.

Ngườm Ngao Cave has three main entrances: Ngườm Nồm door, perennially cool and hidden beneath rock blocks at the mountain's base; Ngườm Ngao door, reached by several hundred stone steps at the mountain's foot; and Bản Thuôn door at the back of the mountain, adjacent to the Tày ethnic village of Bản Thuôn. The cave's interior features numerous stalactites and stalagmites with diverse and rich forms.

Address: Đàm Thuỷ, Trùng Khánh, Cao Bằng
Opening hours: 07:30 - 17:00

In memory of Captain Kim Đồng, a young hero who sacrificed himself while fulfilling revolutionary duties, the Party and the State established the Historical Site of Martyr Kim Đồng in Nà Mạ village, Trường Hà commune (Hà Quảng). Historical Site Kim Đồng is part of the Special National Historical Site Pác Bó (Hà Quảng district) and commemorates the martyr Kim Đồng, who played a crucial role in protecting revolutionary cadres during the anti-French resistance.

Kim Đồng was posthumously honored as a Heroic Martyr by the Party and the State in 1997. Historical Site Kim Đồng is constructed in his hometown, featuring his tomb and a grand monument at the base of a towering rocky mountain, surrounded by lush green sugarcane. The monument depicts Kim Đồng in traditional Nùng attire, raising a carrier pigeon, standing before 14 stone steps and 14 towering green latanier palms. The spacious courtyard hosts annual gatherings for youth from Cao Bằng province and nationwide to camp, enjoy singing, and pay homage.

In 2011, Historical Site Kim Đồng received national recognition from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism as a National Heritage. The expansive courtyard annually welcomes youth from the province and beyond, organizing new member induction ceremonies, camping, recreation, and commemorative ceremonies for the first heroic leader of the Young Pioneers in the revolutionary cause.

Special National Historical Site Trần Hưng Đạo Forest is located at the foot of Slam Cao mountain, spanning Tam Kim and Hoa Thám communes. In December 1944, President Hồ Chí Minh issued a directive to establish the Vietnam Liberation Propaganda Team. On December 22, 1944, in Trần Hưng Đạo Forest, General Võ Nguyên Giáp declared the formation of the Vietnam Liberation Propaganda Team, the precursor to today's Vietnam People's Army. The site preserves landmarks and artifacts associated with a critically important historical period, holding special historical value for the Vietnamese revolution, intimately linked with the revolutionary activities of President Hồ Chí Minh and General Võ Nguyên Giáp. It witnessed the establishment of the Team and the first two battles at Phai Khắt post and Nà Ngần post.

Visiting Special National Historical Site Trần Hưng Đạo Forest, you not only learn about the historical traditions of the first army of the Vietnam People's Army with numerous historical landmarks but also explore the pristine beauty of the primary forest. The untouched forest retains its pristine charm, with a cool climate year-round and an average temperature of 15-20 degrees Celsius. The natural scenery here is ideal for ecological research and tourism for visitors from both domestic and international locations.

Address: Tam Kim, Hoa Thám, Nguyên Bình, Cao Bằng
Opening hours: 07:30 - 17:00

This is a cluster of National Revolutionary Historical Sites, including: Nà Lạn Historical Site in Đức Long Commune and Đông Khê Fort Site in Thạch An Town. Historical Site Đông Khê is closely associated with the victory at Đông Khê - the opening battle for the 1950 Border Campaign, laying a solid foundation for the overall victory and establishing a strong premise for the resistance against the French colonial invasion. The site comprises main sections: Cemetery and Memorial Stele Area; Đông Khê Fort Site; Locations within the enemy's defense system protecting the Đông Khê stronghold.

Visiting Historical Site Đông Khê, we cannot help but be emotionally moved, recalling the time when 'Uncle' marched with us in the campaign, learning more about many brave and sacrificial figures, expressing gratitude to the heroic martyrs who fell for the Fatherland, giving us a beautiful border region and a glorious nation.