Cao Bang is North Vietnam’s lightly inhabited frontier region. This highland stretch is situated on the Northeast outskirts of China, with several ethnic minority communities residing here. While the Ban Gioc waterfalls are a prominent attraction, this area tends to be neglected by visitors. As such, its culture and grace remain intact. You’ll see rugged mountains covered in dense greenery on this landscape, in addition to curving roads and rice paddies. Many Vietnamese natives endeavor to get away from highland areas, opting for a leveled, shallow countryside. As such, ethnic minority communities have mostly inhabited these mountainous and remote places, and continue to today. The primary communities residing in this area of Cao Bang are the H’mong, Tay, Dao, and Nung. In April 2018, the natural terrain was added to the Global Geoparks Network by UNESCO. It is one of two Vietnamese entries in their network.
While Cao Bang looks like it been untouched – and generally unaffected by the influence of modern society – the area has been through substantial trauma from a number of wars. Because it is based right on the border, Cao Bang was a point of contention between China and Vietnam. During the communist movement, the province served as the main post for the revolutionaries of North Vietnam, which is where the ‘Cradle of the Revolutionary Movement’ moniker originated from. For a while, Ho Chi Minh took shelter in a Pac Bo cave.
The region is starting to attract tourists seeking refuge from the over-visited and overcrowded vacation destinations — travelers who want to get up close and personal with the rocky frontier region. Since Cao Bang is Northeast, it is the coolest place in the entire country. It has an average winter temperature of 16 to 17 degrees and summer temperatures that range from 25 to 28 degrees. Many of the higher peaks get snowfalls in substantially cool bouts. The colder climate, dense greenery, and crisp air establish Cao Bang as a natural getaway, rejuvenating vacationers as they take in all that nature has to offer.
Cao Bang’s central attraction is the Ban Gioc Waterfall. A water wall separates the 30-meter border between Vietnam and China. Water spills over the wall, producing a roar that reverberates throughout the region. The waters spill out over the colossal mountains, which is a sight you need to see in person to appreciate.
Visiting Ban Gioc Waterfall entails venturing into the Nguom Ngao Cave, which is situated close by. The cave is as long as 2 km, however, tourists are only permitted within the first km. In English, the name means Tiger Cave – no one entered it for many years based on legends of tigers who resided inside. Today, visitors to the cave are graced with breathtaking rock formations. Stalagmites and stalactites fill up the cave, all of which come in various sizes and shapes. When these creatures come out of the face of the cliff, it looks like a scene straight out of a fantasy movie.
Thang Hen Lake is situated in a quiet valley surrounded by forested, rocky mountains. On uncloudy days, colors of the thick green vegetation and turquoise waters are magnified by the vibrant sun. The motionless air is only disrupted by birds flying through the clean air and horses grazing leisurely. There are 36 individual lakes in Thang Hen Lake, however, when the lakes expand during rainy seasons, they spill into each other, producing a singular water expanse. Tourists can journey around the lake on a small wooden boat – the ideal way to take in the elegance of the waters and mountains.
Pac Bo Cave houses the sanctuary for Ho Chi Minh, who resided there after his banishment in China came to an end. A stroll past Lenin Creek and Karl Marx Peak – names chosen by Ho Chi Minh – is a path into the hideout of the leader. The cave showcases Ho Chi Minh’s simple living conditions embedded in the karst rock formations. In this place, the natural treasure translated the writings of leaders he looked up to. He spent time writing poetry there, as well. The environment is inspirational – the calm ambiance and singing birds are ideal settings for a meditation session.
Explore the revolutionary history of Cao Bang in the Ky Sam Temple. It was constructed in honor of an independence solder from the 11thcentury named Nung Tri Cao, who led a rebellion against King Le Thai Thong. His brother and father had attempted the same feat but were executed for treason. While Nung Tri Cao was successful in achieving the development of an independent kingdom, King Le Thai Tong captured him eventually. In 1048 he attempted to seize a portion of China, but was captured five years later before being executed. Based in Nung Village, the temple is situated in the middle of tall, gorgeous trees. You can see smoke emanating from burning incense flying through branches.
With multiple ethnic minority communities scattered throughout the terrain, visitors can take in Cao Bang culture at the local markets. Shoppers and sellers alike trade daily products, including clothing and food. Cao Bang’s busiest market is Pac Mieu, which opens up on the lunar month’s 1st, 5th, 10th, or 15thdays.
Long Tong Festival is one of the largest Tay festivals each year. The celebration is held on the lunar year’s 4thday throughout a number of Tay villages in Northern Vietnam. The spring event is an opportunity for the natives to express gratitude to the god of agriculture, as well as to wish for blooming crops for the coming year. Worshipers put together food offerings for the gods, then participate in customary festivities with a meal and family-friendly games.
Moi Me Trang is an additional Tay festival that takes place in Cao Bang’s Dong Khe area. The name translates to Mother Moon Festival. Local villagers wish for prosperity and luck from the moon at this Spring event. The festivities begin with a captivating ritual of flower offerings and cultural songs. From there, a series of games and activities can be enjoyed by all patrons.
Cao Bang’s frequently consumed foods happened to be Northern specialties. Xoi tram Cao Bang is a variation on a traditional Vietnamese dish – Carnarium tree-fruit is combined with sticky rice, giving it a thick purple tone.
There are some bizarre dishes served in Cao Bang, including ones with bugs as ingredients. Peng Ray – which means ant egg cake in English – is a seasonal treat for Tay people in Cao Bang. Every year from April to May, the community collects ant eggs from local forests. The eggs are placed in a viscous rice cake and enveloped in fig leaves. This dish is rich in nutritional value.
Cao Bang cuisine also involves the consumption of bees. Larvae of bees are gathered in the fall and added to hot rice porridge or fried with sour bamboo shoots.
Cao Bang has its own variation of pho, a time-old noodle soup. Pho chua Cao Bang contains peanuts, bacon strips, and pieces of roasted duck. The meaty taste complements the sour soup.
One of Cao Bang’s most beloved meats is duck, as it is one of the primary pho chua Cao Bang ingredients. Marinated roast duck is a popular serving here, as is banh ap chao – aka fried duck cakes.
Cao Bang is renowned across Vietnam for its bitter tea. Their area is a thriving habitat for tea plants, which are grown into impressive sizes. Sold throughout the nation, the tea is believed to contain medicinal elements.
This 3-day Ba Be Lakes & Ban Gioc Waterfall Tour From Hanoi takes you on an adventure through some of the most aesthetically pleasing sceneries of the region. The tour highlights include the sights of the largest natural lake in Vietnam – the Ba Be Lake while being regaled with the chilling tale of the legend of Ba Be Lake.
This 3-day tour takes you on a thrilling journey through the many attractions of this lively reserve. The park offers a wonderful sight-seeing opportunity from its freshwater lakes , amazing evergreen rainforests to its diffuse limestone formations that mirror the natural architecture of the mountainous landscape.
The journey through Northeast Vietnam of 5 days includes a visit to Halong Bay, a visit to the Tay and Nung ethnic people, Ban Gioc waterfall, Ba Be lake and other interesting places in Cao Bang and Bac Kan. These encompass some of the most spectacular sights of Vietnam.
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