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Join us as we share our adventures exploring Cao Bang for 3 days and 2 nights – a place famous for its untouched natural beauty and significant historical landmarks.
1. Best time to travel to Cao Bang
Cao Bang showcases unique beauty in each season, with no two seasons alike. However, based on our 3-day, 2-night travel experience, the ideal time is around August - September and November - December.
August and September mark the beginning of the refreshing autumn weather in Cao Bang. Waterfalls cascade gracefully over the rocky cliffs, offering a majestic spectacle. The expansive, crystal-clear waters depict the utmost beauty of this region.
Explore the wonders of Cao Bang with its myriad of novel experiences. (Photo: collected)
In November and December, visitors to Cao Bang can marvel at the beauty of mountainous flowers like buckwheat and triangle azalea, which are distinctive to the northern provinces.
Alternatively, travelers seeking unique experiences in the Northwestern mountains of Cao Bang can plan their trip during the summer. A 3-day, 2-night excursion during this period offers respite from the scorching heat and a chance to revel in the cool, pristine air of the region.
2. What's the Best Way to Travel When Visiting Cao Bang?
Cao Bang has been a magnet for tourists in recent years, offering various transportation options such as coaches and motorbikes for travelers to explore its beauty.
2.1 Coaches
From Hanoi, you can opt for coaches to reach Cao Bang. Tickets can be purchased directly at My Dinh bus station for regular trips. However, during holidays and peak seasons, it's advisable to book tickets in advance, preferably 1-2 weeks prior, or directly contact the bus company.
Coaches are a popular choice of transportation for many tourists traveling to Cao Bang (Photo: collected by enthusiasts)
Travel time: 8 - 9 hours.
Ticket price: 170,000 - 200,000 VND per trip.
2.2 Motorcycles, Cars
For adventure seekers looking to fully experience the beautiful routes, they can opt for traveling by car or motorcycle. When traveling by motorcycle or car, don't forget to prepare all necessary road essentials and thoroughly check the vehicle for the perfect journey.
Detailed directions for car travel: From Hanoi, you can head towards the Hanoi - Lang Son expressway, then follow National Route 4 to reach Cao Bang.
Detailed directions for motorcycle travel: Motorcycle enthusiasts can travel via the Thanh Tri Bridge, onto the Hanoi - Thai Nguyen expressway. Then, continue on the Thai Nguyen - Cho Moi expressway to Bac Kan, follow National Route 3 towards Phu Thong - Ngan Son - Cao Bang.
3. Some Travel Experiences in Cao Bang for 3 Days 2 Nights When Choosing Accommodation
When visiting Cao Bang, tourists need not worry too much about finding accommodation here. However, to avoid the scenario of fully booked rooms and to find a quality, satisfactory room, it's advisable to research and book in advance. While Cao Bang may not have luxurious 5-star hotels, the quality of its 2-3-star hotels or homestays is sufficient to satisfy travelers.
Despite being a mountainous province in the north, most hotels here are extremely clean and fully equipped, especially without price gouging. Typically, accommodation here ranges from 400,000 - 900,000 VND per night.
Well-equipped hotels, meeting all the needs of travelers (Photo: collected by enthusiasts)
You can also opt for staying in homestays run by locals, highly rated for their facilities and service quality. Here, you can experience the unique culture of the local people. Prices range from 120,000 - 200,000 VND per night.
Refreshing homestay, providing a cozy atmosphere (Photo: collected by enthusiasts)
Depending on your needs, preferences, and budget, you can choose suitable accommodation options for your trip to Cao Bang.
4. Suggestions for Some Tourist Destinations in Cao Bang
4.1 Ban Gioc Waterfall
When mentioning Cao Bang, many tourists will immediately think of Ban Gioc Waterfall, a beloved destination by many visitors. Ban Gioc Waterfall is dubbed the fourth largest waterfall in the world and also the most beautiful waterfall in Southeast Asia. Located approximately 50 km from the city center of Cao Bang, here you will witness majestic beauty amidst the natural mountainous landscape.
The magnificent beauty of Ban Gioc Waterfall (Photo: collected by enthusiasts)
The different aspects of the waterfall: from afar, it appears gentle and serene, nestled among the mountains and forests. However, as you approach, you will hear the sound of rushing water and witness the majestic beauty of the waterfall up close.
4.2 Nguom Ngao Cave
Being a limestone mountain cave formed through natural geological processes, these limestone formations date back hundreds of millions of years. The shapes of these limestone formations have been shaped by natural processes, resulting in diverse and unique formations.
Explore Ngum Ngao Cave (Photo: ours)
All of Ngum Ngao Cave is formed naturally, without any human intervention. Visitors will witness the pristine beauty of the cave, and during the summer days, you can feel the coolness emanating from the limestone rocks.
4.3 Pac Bo Historical Site
This majestic mountainous area boasts the beauty of nature and holds significant historical importance for our nation's revolution. It was also the residence and workplace of President Ho Chi Minh after 30 years of seeking ways to save the country.
Pac Bo Historical Site (Photo: collected by enthusiasts)
Visiting the Pac Bo Historical Site, you can explore some other special relics such as Lan Khuoi Nam, Milestone 108, Mac Peak, and Pac Bo Cave. These are all attractive tourist destinations located within the Pac Bo Historical Site.
4.4 Thang Hen Lake
This place is covered year-round with the lush greenery of the mountains as well as the blue hues of the lake.
The refreshing, verdant beauty of nature (Photo: collected by enthusiasts)
Upon arrival, it feels like you're immersed in a green space filled with grass, trees, clouds, and the azure waters. You can also choose to paddle a boat on the lake to admire the beauty of nature.
5. Must-Try Delicacies in Cao Bang
5.1 Cao Bang Steamed Rice Rolls
Unlike the way steamed rice rolls are eaten in the North and South, where they're dipped in fish sauce, in Cao Bang, people enjoy this familiar dish with a broth made from simmering bones. The rice roll wrappers are thin but still chewy, fragrant with the scent of rice. Inside, there's a bit of minced meat, served with a bowl of broth containing boiled eggs, pork sausage, and coriander.
A dish that tourists should try when visiting Cao Bang (Photo: collected by enthusiasts)
When eating, you can also add a bit of pickled bamboo shoots to enhance the unique flavor of this dish.
5.2 Ant Egg Cake
This unique cake is a specialty of Cao Bang in April-May. During this time, black forest ants thrive, resulting in especially fragrant and rich ant eggs.
Specialty of the Cao Bang forests (Photo: collected by enthusiasts)
The preparation of ant egg cake is quite simple: after cleaning, the ant eggs are sautéed with fragrant shallots, a bit of minced pork, crushed peanuts, and finely chopped lemongrass leaves for filling. The cake wrapper is made from glutinous rice and wrapped in young leaves to maintain its fragrant elasticity.
5.3 Jackfruit Sticky Rice
When indulging, you'll taste the richness of jackfruit, combined with the sweet, sticky glutinous rice that you can enjoy endlessly.
Visit Cao Bang in July and August to savor this sweet, sticky dish (Photo: collected by enthusiasts)
What's more, jackfruit sticky rice is even more delightful as it has been recognized by the Vietnam Record Association as one of the top 100 representative dishes and specialties nationwide.
6. Tips and Experiences for a 3-day-2-night Trip to Cao Bang
- Prepare suitable, compact clothing according to the season when traveling to Cao Bang. Especially bring warm clothes capable of retaining heat during winter as temperatures can drop to 3 - 4 degrees Celsius.
- Bring essentials such as raincoats, hats, padded jackets, maps, power banks, medication, and insect repellent to prepare for unexpected situations.
- Carry all necessary personal documents as Cao Bang is a strategically important border area.
- The roads in Cao Bang are mainly mountain passes, so you need a steady driver, fully equipped with safety gear, and thoroughly check the vehicle to avoid breakdowns along the way.
- You should learn a bit about the local customs and traditions to avoid cultural taboos when visiting.
- Choose sightseeing spots that are suitable for the weather conditions when planning a trip to Cao Bang.
- If buying Cao Bang specialties as gifts, tourists should compare prices at multiple places and choose reputable sellers.
- Observe traffic laws when traveling by personal vehicle and maintain environmental cleanliness at the places you pass through.
Above are some experiences for a 3-day-2-night trip to Cao Bang that we want to share with you. Make sure everything is well-prepared, as this will ensure you have a perfect trip with unforgettable memories.
Explore the majestic beauty of Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang right now.
Posted by: Phung Tuan Anh
Keyword: Sharing Some Tips for a 3-day-2-night Trip to Cao Bang
