Cao Bằng

Regio · 🇻🇳 Vietnam

Cao Bằng is a remote border province in the far north-east of Vietnam. Its main draw is Bản Giốc Waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls in Southeast Asia, which marks the border with China. The province is also a UNESCO Global Geopark, with limestone karst, caves, lakes and quiet villages of the Tay, Nung and Dao peoples.

Most visitors stay two to three nights. Cao Bằng city is the base. Days are for the waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Thang Hen lakes and Pác Bó.

Cao Bằng – Reis plannen?

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Beste reistijd

September to November is the best time. The waterfall is full after the summer rains, the air is clear and the chestnut harvest is on in Trùng Khánh. Rice fields turn golden in September and October. Bản Giốc is at its fullest from July to September.

The winter from December to February is cold and foggy, and snow is rare but possible on high ground. The summer from June to August is wet, and landslides can close roads.

Beste reistijd: januari, februari, november, december

Selecteer een maand

Typisch weer in januari

Geweldig

20° (gevoelstemperatuur 17°) · extremen 3°–26°
's Nachts 9°
6 regendagen
2 zonnige dagen
2 uur zonneschijn per dag
Droge lucht
Lichte bries
UV-index 4 · matig

Typisch weer in februari

Geweldig

23° (gevoelstemperatuur 21°) · extremen 4°–30°
's Nachts 11°
5 regendagen
2 zonnige dagen
2 uur zonneschijn per dag
Droge lucht
Lichte bries
UV-index 4 · matig

Typisch weer in maart

Geweldig

27° (gevoelstemperatuur 26°) · extremen 9°–33°
's Nachts 15°
9 regendagen
1 zonnige dag
2 uur zonneschijn per dag
Aangename luchtvochtigheid
Lichte bries
UV-index 5 · matig

Typisch weer in april

Redelijk

30° (gevoelstemperatuur 31°) · extremen 13°–37°
's Nachts 19°
12 regendagen
2 zonnige dagen
3 uur zonneschijn per dag
Zwoele, vochtige lucht
Lichte bries
UV-index 6 · hoog

Typisch weer in mei

Matig

32° (gevoelstemperatuur 34°) · extremen 18°–36°
's Nachts 22°
19 regendagen
3 zonnige dagen
4 uur zonneschijn per dag
Drukkende hitte
Lichte bries
UV-index 8 · zeer hoog

Typisch weer in juni

Matig

31° (gevoelstemperatuur 35°) · extremen 21°–34°
's Nachts 24°
24 regendagen
1 zonnige dag
4 uur zonneschijn per dag
Drukkende hitte
Rustige wind
UV-index 8 · zeer hoog

Typisch weer in juli

Matig

31° (gevoelstemperatuur 36°) · extremen 23°–34°
's Nachts 25°
24 regendagen
2 zonnige dagen
5 uur zonneschijn per dag
Drukkende hitte
Rustige wind
UV-index 9 · zeer hoog

Typisch weer in augustus

Matig

31° (gevoelstemperatuur 35°) · extremen 22°–33°
's Nachts 24°
23 regendagen
3 zonnige dagen
5 uur zonneschijn per dag
Drukkende hitte
Rustige wind
UV-index 9 · zeer hoog

Typisch weer in september

Redelijk

30° (gevoelstemperatuur 33°) · extremen 18°–33°
's Nachts 22°
16 regendagen
4 zonnige dagen
5 uur zonneschijn per dag
Drukkende hitte
Rustige wind
UV-index 8 · zeer hoog

Typisch weer in oktober

Goed

27° (gevoelstemperatuur 29°) · extremen 14°–31°
's Nachts 19°
11 regendagen
5 zonnige dagen
4 uur zonneschijn per dag
Zwoele, vochtige lucht
Lichte bries
UV-index 6 · hoog

Typisch weer in november

Geweldig

24° · extremen 9°–30°
's Nachts 14°
6 regendagen
7 zonnige dagen
4 uur zonneschijn per dag
Aangename luchtvochtigheid
Lichte bries
UV-index 5 · matig

Typisch weer in december

Geweldig

20° (gevoelstemperatuur 18°) · extremen 4°–27°
's Nachts 10°
4 regendagen
5 zonnige dagen
3 uur zonneschijn per dag
Droge lucht
Lichte bries
UV-index 4 · matig

Klimaatgegevens: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Topbezienswaardigheden

Ban Gioc (Detian) waterfall is a wide, stepped waterfall on the Quây Sơn River, on the border with China.
Hồ Thang Hen is a pair of mountain lakes about 25 km from Cao Bằng, with a quiet shore and boat rides.
Núi Thủng is a limestone arch in a hill, with views over the valley.
Ho Chi Minh 0km monument is a monument at Pác Bó, the border village where Hồ Chí Minh returned to Vietnam in 1941.
Ironsmith Village is a village known for iron tools and blacksmiths.
Bảo tàng tỉnh Cao Bằng is the provincial museum in Cao Bằng city.

Nguom Ngao Cave, near Bản Giốc, is a large cave with stalactites and a guided path.

Wat te beleven

Stand below Bản Giốc: A bamboo raft goes to the base of the falls on the river.
Explore Nguom Ngao Cave: A lit path leads through large halls.
Boat on the Thang Hen lakes: A quiet mountain lake trip.
Taste chestnuts in autumn: Trùng Khánh is famous for its chestnuts.
Stay in a homestay: Tay and Nung villages host guests in stilt houses.

Tours en activiteiten

Cao Bằng — Kaart

Dagtochten

Nguom Ngao Cave: a long cave near the waterfall, usually visited together with Bản Giốc.
Pác Bó: a historic site and cave about 50 km north of Cao Bằng city.
Ha Giang: the neighbouring province, often combined in a northern loop.
Hanoi: about 6 to 8 hours by road, so most visitors stay overnight.

Plaatsen om te ontdekken

West: Ha Giang has the Đồng Văn plateau and the Hà Giang Loop.
South: Hanoi is the main gateway.
Karst country: Ninh Binh is another limestone region in the north.

Bereikbaarheid

By bus: Sleeper buses and minivans run from Hanoi to Cao Bằng city in about 6 to 8 hours.
By car: A private car or driver from Hanoi is a comfortable option. Many tours run a loop through Bắc Kạn and Ba Bể Lake.
By air or train: Cao Bằng has no commercial airport or passenger railway. Hanoi is the nearest hub. Vietnam Railways
To the waterfall: Bản Giốc is about 85 km from Cao Bằng city. The drive takes about 2 hours.

Vervoer ter plaatse

Car with driver: The easiest way to reach the waterfall, caves and Pác Bó in one trip.
Motorbike: Popular with experienced riders. Roads are quiet but winding.
Taxi: Available in Cao Bằng city. Book a driver for day trips.
Walking: Cao Bằng city is small and walkable.

Autorijden

Is a car worth it? A car with a driver is the best way to see the waterfall, the caves and the lakes in two days.
Roads: Mountain roads are winding and can be foggy. Drive slowly.
Fuel: Fill up in Cao Bằng city or Trùng Khánh.

Eten en drinken

Cao Bằng food is hearty and simple. Try roasted duck with a sour sauce, bánh cuốn Trùng Khánh, a thin steamed rice roll, and smoked pork. Local chestnuts are sold in autumn. Rice wine and sweet potato sweets are common gifts.

Look for family restaurants in Cao Bằng city and small eateries near the waterfall.

Ontbijt

Pho PhởRundvlees- of kippennoedelsoep met een geurige bouillon, verse kruiden en rijstnoedels; wordt vaak als ontbijt gegeten.

Lunch

Bun Cha Bún chảGegrilde varkensgehaktballetjes en plakjes vlees geserveerd met rijstvermicelli, kruiden en een zoetzure dipsaus; een specialiteit uit Hanoi.

Bun Bo Hue Bún bò HuếEen pittige, naar citroengras geurende rundvleesnoedelsoep uit de stad Hue.

Cao Lau Cao lầuEen noedelgerecht dat uniek is voor Hoi An, met dikke, taaie noedels, varkensvlees en groenten, traditioneel gemaakt met lokaal bronwater.

Snacks en streetfood

Banh Mi Bánh mìEen door de Fransen beïnvloed stokbroodje gevuld met varkensvlees, paté, ingelegde groenten en kruiden.

Banh Xeo Bánh xèoEen knapperige crêpe van rijstmeel en kurkuma gevuld met varkensvlees, garnalen en taugé, gewikkeld in sla en kruiden.

Goi Cuon Gỏi cuốnVerse (ongekookte) loempia's gevuld met garnalen, varkensvlees, kruiden en vermicelli, gewikkeld in rijstpapier.

Zoetigheden en desserts

Che ChèEen categorie zoete dessertsoepen of puddingen gemaakt met bonen, fruit, gelei en kokosmelk, warm of met ijs geserveerd.

Dranken

Ca Phe Sua Da Cà phê sữa đáSterke filterkoffie geserveerd met ijs en gezoete gecondenseerde melk; de kenmerkende drank van Vietnam.

Bia Hoi Bia hơiGoedkoop, licht tapbier dat dagelijks vers wordt gebrouwen en wordt verkocht bij kraampjes op straat, vooral in Hanoi.

Veiligheid en gezondheid

Cao Bằng is a quiet and safe province, but some points need care.

Mountain roads can be slippery and foggy. Landslides are possible in summer.
Stay on marked paths near the border. Some areas have unexploded ordnance from past conflict.
Wear a helmet if you ride a motorbike.
Carry cash. ATMs are limited outside the city.
Bring warm clothes in winter.

Geschiedenis

Cao Bằng sits on a trade route between Vietnam and China. The province was an old base of the Mạc dynasty in the 16th century.

In 1941 Hồ Chí Minh returned to Vietnam through Pác Bó and set up a base in a cave there. The area was also the site of fighting in the 1950s and in the 1979 border war. In 2018 UNESCO named the area the Non Nước Cao Bằng Global Geopark.