Cao Bang Province is located in the Far North – East, shares borders with China on the north and east, Bac Kan and Lang Son provinces on the south, and Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang provinces on the west. The topography is complicated so inter-transportation is limited.
Cao Bang has great potentiality for developing tourism with both natural and cultural, historic tours such as tours to Pac Bo, Lam Son monuments, Tran Hung Dao forest, Dong Khe historical monument, the basement of the fort in Cao Bang town, Ban Doc waterfall, Nguom Ngao cavern, Thang Hen lake and border gates. Besides, in Cao Bang there are quite many ethnic groups with their own special traditions, customs and festivals, which is also good for developing tourism.
Cao Bang is divided into two distinct seasons: rainy season which lasts from April to September and dry season is from October to March. If you intend to travel to Ban Gioc waterfall, should go around August to September, this waterfall will be very breathtakingly beautiful. If you like to go to Cao Bang to see flowers, you can go to the end of the year around November, this is the Trichet flowers season (equivalent to Trichet flowers in Ha Giang)
If you like snow, you should go in winter months (last months of year to early next year), Pia Oac Forest’s temperature lowers in this time, so this phenomenon of snowing is likely. Combined with the journey schedule from Cao Bang to Lang Son (along the That Khe road), you can drop by Mau Son tourism, where almost every winter has ice or snow.
Cao Bang is 280 km north of Hanoi following National Highway No.3. Cao Bang has National Highway No.4B and 3 linking to Lang Son, Bac Can, Ha Giang provinces and to China. There are direct buses from Hanoi, Thai Nguyen and Lang Son.
From Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang or Can Tho to Cao Bang, you will have to fly to Hanoi and then continue to Cao Bang.
By Bus: Cao Bang city is about 280 km away from Hanoi capital because the distance is quite far so you should pick up bus from Hanoi. You can catch the bus daily at My Dinh or Luong bus station and it takes about 8 hours to go to Cao Bang. The travel cost of this daily bus is around VND 200,000 which is definitely affordable to visitors and keep you safer than riding your own motorbike. Later in Cao Bang you can rent motorbikes to continue exploring the place.
By motorbike: If the 280-km way long does not stop yourself from getting adventurous riding experience, you can certainly travel by your own motorbike.
Cao Bang has a relatively complex terrain. The existing road system only has four national highways including 3, 4A, 34 and 4C, while national highways 3 and 4 have been upgraded. Up to now, the transportation system has temporarily met the needs of passenger.
You can follow one of the three suggestions below:
