Buzz
When in Lang Son, don't miss out on Ky Lua Market Street, Mau Son Tourist Area, and the lively festivals in January.
What to Keep in Mind When Traveling to Lang Son
It takes about 2 days for travelers to explore the city that has entered folklore: 'Dong Dang has Ky Lua Street - With Miss To Thi and Tam Thanh Temple.'
Getting Around
From downtown Hanoi, cross Thanh Tri Bridge, follow National Highway 1A through Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces. About 40 km after passing Bac Giang City, you'll encounter a winding mountain road on both sides, so drivers should avoid speeding. The total distance is approximately 180 km.
Numerous coach routes are available for your Lang Son trip, priced at 200,000 dong per way per person. In Lang Son, you can take a bus, taxi, or motorbike taxi to visit various attractions.
Another intriguing option is to take the train, where you can enjoy scenic views on both sides of the tracks. Remember to bring your passport if you plan to cross the border for shopping and sightseeing.
Accommodation
Being a border city, there are plenty of guesthouses and hotels here. Opt for accommodations within the city rather than near the border area. Prices vary based on your choice. Double rooms during Tet can range from 200,000 to 500,000 dong, possibly more.
Attractions
Ky Lua Market Street is where trading activities and exchanges of goods between regions take place, offering a variety of products from different localities.
Tien Cave and Tien Well: Tien Cave lies horizontally across the mountain, with 64 steps leading up to it. The Tien Well boasts a precious water stream flowing year-round. The serene scenery here will make you forget the worries of the past year.
Ky Cung Temple is considered a sacred place, dedicated to the worship of Giao Long (the deity of water) with the task of ensuring favorable weather throughout the year. Inside the temple compound, there is a beautiful stone pier.
The Mac Dynasty Citadel is a military architectural relic reflecting the feudal period of Vietnam. The remaining traces consist of two wall segments, approximately 300m long and 1m wide, built with large stone blocks amidst the mountain pass. From atop the citadel gate, you can overlook the spacious scenery ahead, with expansive rice fields and rolling hills.
Mau Son Tourist Area borders the Vietnam-China border, over 20 km from Lang Son City, encompassing a complex of 80 large and small peaks. In winter, the road here is shrouded in mist, and if you're lucky, you may have the chance to admire snow and ice.
Nhi Thanh Cave was discovered and embellished by the eminent figure Ngo Thi Si when he served as the Chief Commander of Lang Son. He made significant contributions to expanding the arable land and developing this area into a bustling commercial hub. The crystal-clear Ngoc Tuyen stream hidden beneath the lush trees adds to the picturesque scenery here.
Chi Lang Pass is located in the southern part of Lang Son province. This historical relic area comprises 52 points, stretching nearly 20 km, where you can learn about the history and traditions of the nation's resistance against invaders.
Traditional Festivals
Lang region is renowned for its numerous vibrant traditional festivals such as the lantern festival, the Na Nhem festival, Tam Thanh temple, Ky Cung temple, and the Le Kings' temple.
Shopping Tips
Markets like Tan Thanh, Dong Dang, and Dong Kinh are always bustling with visitors; be cautious to avoid pickpocketing and scams.
Most of the goods here are of Chinese origin, so exercise caution when making purchases. Vendors often quote high prices, so negotiate to pay half the asking price.
Culinary Delights
Lang Son is renowned for its many dishes with distinctive flavors of the Northeastern mountainous region such as honey-roasted duck, roasted duck noodle soup, roasted pork, Mau Son wine, rolled rice pancake with egg, buffalo meat, stir-fried highland vegetables, fried taro with flour, and boiled water spinach.
Souvenir Selection
Sweet oranges, leafy greens, chestnuts, and sweet potatoes are the typical products of Lang Son. Additionally, you can buy smoked bamboo shoots, smoked sausages, Cao Bang cakes, pumpkin cakes, peanut candy, Dong Banh persimmons, and cat apples as gifts for family and friends.
Best Time to Visit
Located approximately 170 km from the center of Hanoi, travelers can visit Lang Son at any time of the year. In winter, you have the opportunity to admire the pristine white snow on top of Mau Son. In summer, the climate is cool due to the abundance of hills and mountains. In spring, numerous festivals take place here.
According to Di Vy/Vnexpress
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourFebruary 5, 2018
