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The Ban Gioc Waterfall
Country: Vietnam
Province: Cao Bang

Tinh Cao Bang Holiday Weather today


Date/time of update: March 19, 2024, 12:14 am, Timezone: GMT+7
Overcast Clouds

Temperature: 16.59°C
Temperature feels like: 16.42°C
Minimum Temperature: 16.59°C
Maximum Temperature: 16.59°C
Atmospheric pressure: 1022hPa
Humidity:81%
Visibility: 10000m
Wind speed: 1.78m/sec
Wind Direction: 43 degrees
Cloudiness: 100%
Sunrise: 2024-03-18 11:01:00
Sunset: 2024-03-19 11:06:31

Cao Bang is a mountainous province located in the North East of Vietnam. The province is bordered to the north and the east by China, to the West by Ha Giang Province and to the south by Lang Son, Bac Kan and Tuyen Quang Provinces. Cao Bang has a borderline of 333km with China.

 A Market in Cao Bang Town
A Market in Cao Bang Town

Geography

The terrain of Cao Bang is higher to the north and lower to the south, higher to the west and lower to the east. Cao Bang possesses a terrain of high mountains alternated by flat valleys or forests. The biggest flat area is in the center of the province: Cao Bang City and Hoa An District. The terrain is with steep gradients in the mountainous areas.

There are major ranges of mountains stretching from the north-west to the south-east:

- High limestone mountains in the north and east of Cao Bang stretch the full length of the Chinese border with Cao Bang: Thong Nong, Ha Quang, Tra Linh, Trung Khanh, Ha Lang, Quang Uyen.

Mountains in fog at Xuan Truong, Bao Lac District, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam
Mountains in fog at Xuan Truong, Bao Lac District, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam

 

Lovely mountains at Tra Linh, Cao Bang
Lovely mountains at Tra Linh, Cao Bang

- High dirt mountains in the west and south of Cao Bang from Bao Lac to Nguyen Binh and Thach An. The highest are Phja Da in Bao Lac (1,980m), Phja Den in Nguyen Binh (1,428m), Phja Oac in Nguyen Binh (1,931m).

Wild mountains at Nguyen Binh Cao Bang
Wild mountains at Nguyen Binh Cao Bang

There are several rivers and small streams in Cao Bang. The biggest are

- The Bang River (Bang Giang) has 110km in Cao Bang flowing southeastwards. The river is composed of a main tributary from China, smaller rivers in Thong Nong and Ha Quang District and and merges with the Bac Vong River before flowing into China.

The Bang River (Bang Giang) at Cao Bang City
The Bang River (Bang Giang) at Cao Bang City

- The Gam River starting from China and Ha Giang flows through Cao Bang via Bao Lac and Bao Lam with the length of 55km in Cao Bang then flows back into Ha Giang at Bac Me District (Ha Giang Province).

The Gam River at Bao Lac, Cao Bang, Vietnam
The Gam River at Bao Lac, Cao Bang, Vietnam

- The Bac Vong River with the length of 77km in Cao Bang originates from China flowing through Tra Linh, Trung Khanh, Quang Uyen and Ha Lang merging with the Bang River then discharging its water into China.

- The Quay Son River originates from China flowing into Cao Bang through Trung Khanh and Ha Lang District with the length of 76km in the province. The Quay Son has a part forming a piece of the natural borderline between Vietnam and China. The Ban Gioc Waterfall is formed by water of the Quay Son River.

The Quay Son River which supplies water for the Ban Gioc Waterfall
The Quay Son River which supplies water for the Ban Gioc Waterfall

Climate

Cao Bao has a tropical monsoon climate with variations on high altitudes. The summer is also the rainy season from April to September, the winter is also the dry season from October through March. The temperature range in the summer is 25-28oC and in the winter is 14-18; the temperatures are normally higher in the high mountains. The hottest month is July and the coldest months are December-February. The average annual rainfall is 1,300-1,500mm. The average humidity is 80%-90%. The monsoon is north-easterly in the winter and south-easterly in the summer.

 Cao Bang Vietnam
Fresh mountains at Nguyen Binh, Cao Bang

Peoples

The area of Cao Bang is home to 30 ethnic groups with traditional culture such as: the Tay (41%), the Nung (31%), the Dzao (10%), Hmong (10%), Kinh (5.7%), Lo Lo, San Chi, Muong, Hoa,...

A Tay lady at Cao Bang, Vietnam
A Tay lady at Cao Bang, Vietnam

 

Nung An Blacksmiths in Cao Bang Vietnam
Nung An Blacksmiths in Cao Bang Vietnam

 Cao Bang Travel Guide, Tourist Attractions in Cao Bang

1/The Ban Gioc Waterfall

The waterfall is in Trung Khanh District created by the Quay Son River flowing through different altitudes. The waterfall is 90km north-east of Cao Bang City.

The Ban Gioc Waterfall, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang, Vietnam
The Ban Gioc Waterfall, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang, Vietnam

2/The Nguom Ngao Cave

The cave is 3km from the Ban Gioc Waterfall. The cave is hidden in a secret valley which offers a lovely hike to the visitors.

The Nguom Ngao Cave in a hidden valley in Cao Bang Vietnam
The Nguom Ngao Cave in a hidden valley in Cao Bang Vietnam

3/Thang Hen Lake

The lake is a serene lake amid towering mountains in Tra Linh District, 25km north-east of Cao Bang City.

The Thang Hen Lake in Cao Bang
The Thang Hen Lake in Cao Bang

4/Pac Bo Cave

The cave is 50km north-west of Cao Bang City. The cave was where Ho Chi Minh came back to Vietnam on 28-Jan-1941. It was from Pac Bo Ho Chi Minh started movements to independence back for Vietnam.

Co Bo Cave where Ho Chi Minh stayed and started the revolution for independence
Co Bo Cave where Ho Chi Minh stayed and started the revolution for independence

5/Phja Oac and Phja Den Hill Station

The hill station is at Nguyen Binh with cool climate all year round. The region is not yet visited much for foreign visitors to Vietnam. The area is 240km from Hanoi and 76km from Cao Bang City.

Menacing mountains at the Phja Hoac - Phja Den National Park in Nguyen Binh, Cao Bang Province
Menacing mountains at the Phja Hoac - Phja Den National Park in Nguyen Binh, Cao Bang Province

6/The former Battlefield of Dong Khe

Dong Khe was where famous battles during the Franco – Viet Minh War took place.

Former French Fortress at Dong Khe
Former French Fortress at Dong Khe

7/Tran Hung Dao Forest

The forest is in Nguyen Binh District. This is where Vietnam Propaganda Army or Vietnam People’s Army was founded on 22December1944.

Tran Hung Dao Forest where the People's Army of Vietnam was first founded
Tran Hung Dao Forest where the People's Army of Vietnam was first founded

Things to do in Cao Bang

1/ Luxury Travel

Cao Bang still has poor tourist infrastructure and except for a 3* hotel in Cao Bang City you can not find luxury travel service elsewhere.

2/ Adventure Tours, Sightseeing Tours

Cao Bang has huge potential for eco-tourism, adventure tours, for easy sightseeing tours, motorbike tours and mountain biking tours. Paradissa hosts adventure tours by car to different tourist spots in Cao Bang, trekking tours through the ethnic villages.

Forested limestone mountains at Cao Bang offer some of the most challenging and inpirational trekking tours in Vietnam
Forested limestone mountains at Cao Bang offer some of the most challenging and inpirational trekking tours in Vietnam

3/ Battlefield Tours

Paradissa has organized several battlefield historical tours which bring you back in time to visit the sites of the famous border campaign in 1950 also known as the Cao Bang Battle or Dong Khe Battle. Please contact Paradissa for a customized tours to Cao Bang then.

 Cao Bang Vietnam
Scenic countryside of Cao Bang Vietnam

 

The Dong Khe French Fortress which marks some brutal battles during the Franco-Viet Minh War
The Dong Khe French Fortress which marks some brutal battles during the Franco-Viet Minh War

 

Route 4 - the Supply Route for the French Outpost in Cao Bang which still hosts a number of historical marks of the battles back in time!
Route 4 - the Supply Route for the French Outpost in Cao Bang which still hosts a number of historical marks of the battles back in time!

Accommodation in Cao Bang

Luxury hotels and luxury travel services are not yet available at Cao Bang. There are family-run hotels with basic facilities in Cao Bang City and in other towns of the province. Though with basic in facilities, most hotels are very clean, even spotless-clean. Some hotels offer stunning river views and/or mountain views. At Paradissa, we only go for the best service available for the tours other than our trekking tours and unless otherwise selected by the travelers.

Cao Bang Citadel (also known as Fortress)
Cao Bang Citadel (also known as The Fortress of Cao Bang)

For the travelers who follow an adventure itinerary with Paradissa, we also offer possibility to stay with a local ethnic family in their traditional houses. The conditions may be rustic, but the experience is not found else where. Please indicate clearly that staying with the locals are fine for you when requesting services from Paradissa.

Getting there and away

Cao Bang is 272 Km from Ha Noi, the road from Ha Noi to Cao Bang is Road No. 3 which is in excellent conditions as of this writing. There are daily buses from Ha Noi, Bac Kan Town and Thai Nguyen City to Cao Bang.

Rice Valley at Cao Bang, Vietnam
Rice Valley at Cao Bang, Vietnam
 
 
Beautiful road and spectacular landscape along the road between Cao Bang City and Ta Lung Border Checkpoint between Vietnam and China
Beautiful road and spectacular landscape along the road between Cao Bang City and Ta Lung Border Checkpoint between Vietnam and China
 
Route 4A between Cao Bang and Lang Son in great conditions with several sightseeing spots as well as historical attractions, former battlefields
Route 4A between Cao Bang and Lang Son in great conditions with several sightseeing spots as well as historical attractions, former battlefields
National Route 34 at Bao Lac District which connects Ha Giang City, Bac Me District (Ha Giang Province), Meo Vac District (Ha Giang Province) and Cao Bang City
National Route 34 at Bao Lac District which connects Ha Giang City, Bac Me District (Ha Giang Province), Meo Vac District (Ha Giang Province) and Cao Bang City

 

National Road 3 outside of Cao Bang City where we can travel to Bac Kan Province and Hanoi
National Road 3 outside of Cao Bang City where we can travel to Bac Kan Province and Hanoi

Getting around Cao Bang

The city of Cao Bang can be explored easily on foot. To the tourist attractions in the province, it is necessary to travel by car, by motorbike or mountain bike.

Captivating road between Cao Bang and Trung Khanh where you can visit the Ban Gioc Waterfall and the Nguom Ngao Cave
Captivating road between Cao Bang and Trung Khanh where you can visit the Ban Gioc Waterfall and the Nguom Ngao Cave

 

Stunning mountains on the road between Cao Bang City and Ha Quang District where you can visit the Pac Bo historical site
Stunning mountains on the road between Cao Bang City and Ha Quang District where you can visit the Pac Bo historical site

Cao Bang Average Monthly Rainfall and Temperatures


Vietnam Travel Guide