This Summer, Visit Cao Bằng to See One of the World's Most Beautiful Waterfalls
With its beautiful nature, including mountains, caves, and lakes, the northeastern mountainous region is an attractive destination for this summer.
Located about 280 km from Hanoi, Cao Bằng is a mountainous province in northeastern Vietnam. It is renowned for its picturesque landscapes.
Forget the long, sunny beaches of the South Central Coast. The streams, waterfalls, and majestic mountains of Cao Bằng will provide you with true relaxation amidst lush and poetic scenery.
Check-in at the World's Most Beautiful Waterfall
Thanks to its majestic beauty akin to a fairyland, Bản Giốc Waterfall (Cao Bằng province) has been honored by American travel magazine Travel + Leisure as one of the top 21 most beautiful waterfalls in the world in 2024.
Bản Giốc is not only the most magnificent waterfall in Vietnam but also the largest natural waterfall in Southeast Asia. Visitors here will have the opportunity to admire the white water cascading from a height of over 30 meters through many layers of falls, flowing into the Quây Sơn River amidst the surrounding mountains and forests.
The best time to visit Bản Giốc is from May to September. Visitors can enjoy various outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, cycling, fishing, meeting ethnic minorities, and attending local festivals.
Admire Mắt Thần Mountain
Mắt Thần Mountain is also known as Phja Piót (meaning "Pierced Mountain" in the Tày ethnic language). This imposing mountain is located within the Thang Hen Lake complex, part of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark.
The large, round hole in the mountain resembles an eye. This place, with its magnificent and beautiful nature, is known as the "Tuyệt Tình Cốc" of Cao Bằng.
Surrounding the mountain is a vast valley with lush green grass, a pristine and tranquil landscape with grazing horses.
The turnoff to the mountain is somewhat hard to find, so visitors should ask locals for directions to avoid getting lost. On the way to the mountain, you will pass Ma Phuc Pass, a beautiful scenic spot ideal for motorbike travel.
Explore Ngườm Ngao Cave
Ngườm Ngao Cave hides within the majestic mountains of Gun village, Trùng Khánh district, Cao Bằng. This limestone cave was formed around 300 million years ago.
According to the British Royal Cave Association survey, this cave has a total length of 2,144 meters with three main entrances: Ngườm Ngao, Ngườm Lồm, and Bản Thuôn.
This limestone cave is famous for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites, underground rivers, and unique ecosystems.
Immerse Yourself in the Jade Green Water of Lê Nin Stream
About 50 km north of Cao Bằng city center, Lê Nin Stream is part of the historical site Pác Bó in Hà Quảng district. This increasingly popular destination boasts a pristine and poetic landscape.
The stream has clear, emerald water, blending perfectly with the surrounding mountains and forests.
Here, you will be amazed by the clarity and purity of the stream's water. Standing on the bank, you can see schools of fish swimming, creating a free and tranquil atmosphere.
Besides admiring the stream's beauty, the photo galleries and historical artifacts are interesting stops for exploration.
Conquer the 14-level Pass
Mẻ Pia Pass, also known as the 14-level Pass or Khau Cốc Chà Pass, lies on National Highway 4A, connecting Xuân Trường commune to the center of the border district of Bảo Lạc (Cao Bằng). This is one of the most winding and challenging passes in northeastern Vietnam.
Although the road has been widened, conquering Mẻ Pia Pass is still not easy. With continuous sharp bends and steep sections, each part of Mẻ Pia Pass demands steady driving skills and high concentration.
For those who love adventure and want to conquer a challenging route, this is an ideal destination.
A 30-minute hike along the mountain path leads to a scenic viewpoint of the pass, where you can admire the 14 winding curves as it snakes its way up the mountain.
Enjoy Mountain Delicacies
Cao Bằng's cuisine is a unique blend of local products, bearing the distinct flavors of the ethnic minorities.
▸ Sour Noodles
This dish does not use broth; the noodles are mixed with ingredients such as pork, roasted duck, crispy fried potatoes, and crushed peanuts. The sauce gives Cao Bằng's sour noodles its distinctive flavor. This specialty combines the rich taste of duck fat, the sourness of vinegar, the sweet and nutty potatoes, and the aromatic duck and pork. Sour noodles are also appealing due to the fragrant aroma of Chinese bayberry leaves, peanuts, mint, coriander, and cucumbers.
▸ Coóng Phù Cake
Coóng Phù Cake has a shell made from a mixture of sticky rice and regular rice, giving it a chewy and fragrant texture. The filling includes crushed peanuts, sometimes mixed with sugar and sesame seeds.
Traditional Coóng Phù Cake is pure white. Nowadays, people often mix the cake batter with gac fruit or soak the rice with pandan or cẩm leaves to create natural colors and flavors.
▸ Smoked Sausage
Cao Bằng's famous smoked sausage is made from cleaned, dried pork intestines filled with seasoned pork meat. To create its distinctive flavor, the seasoning must include honey, white wine, ginger juice, and dried Chinese bayberry fruits.
After filling, the sausages are dried under the sun three times before being hung above the fire. The smoke and heat from the sugarcane fire enhance the flavor and firm up the meat.
▸ Steamed Rice Rolls
Steamed rice rolls are a familiar dish to people in northern Vietnam. However, in Cao Bằng, the preparation and enjoyment of steamed rice rolls are unique and different.
Instead of dipping in fish sauce as in the lowlands, Cao Bằng's steamed rice rolls are served with bone broth and pickled bamboo shoots to achieve the authentic flavor.
The rice used for the rolls is regular rice. The rolls are steamed on the spot in a large iron pot with a round mold and the pot lid is made from old bamboo. Spring rolls and eggs are essential components, adding to the distinctiveness of Cao Bằng's steamed rice rolls.
With over 20 ethnic groups residing, such as Tày, Nùng, Mông, Dao, Kinh, Hoa, Lô Lô, etc., Cao Bằng's traditional culture is formed by the distinctive customs and cultures of each community, akin to a colorful cultural garden that attracts tourists to explore and experience. In Cao Bằng, visitors can enjoy traditional songs like Sli, Then, and Lượn; discover unique aspects of minority ceremonies such as the longevity celebration of the Tày people, weddings of the black Lô Lô and Mông people, the Phi Ham worshiping ritual of the Tày Nùng, the Nàng Hai festival, the Thanh Minh festival, the Sùng Phúc pagoda festival, and more. Or savor famous specialties rich in ethnic culinary traditions, such as smoked sausages, trám sticky rice, Trùng Khánh chestnuts, khảo cakes, and chè lam cakes. With its unique and distinctive landscape, history, and culture, Cao Bằng promises to be an attractive and fascinating destination that tourists cannot miss on their journey to the Việt Bắc region.