Cao Bang Vietnam

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Cycling in Cao Bang lets you to discover the beautiful region of northeast Vietnam, the impressive terraced paddy fields, limestone mountain landscape, and to experience the rich culture of the Tay and the Nung ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Cao Bang Province is located in Far North-East of Vietnam. It 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, making it an off the beaten path destination for mountain biking in Vietnam.

Cao Bang city is the provincial’s capital of Cao Bang province. While unremarkable in and of itself, Cao Bang Vietnam is an easy-going gateway to the surrounding lakes, minority villages, karst peaks, caves, and the Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Vietnam-China border. For those tired of the tourist circuit of coastal Vietnam, Cao Bang is also a refreshing glimpse into a city that exists solely on its own terms.

Cao Bang map

How to get to Cao Bang?

Cao Bang is 272km north of Hanoi following National Highway No.3. Cao Bang has National Highway No.4B and 3 linking to Lang Son, Bac Kan, Ha Giang provinces and to China. There are direct buses from Hanoi, Thai Nguyen and Lang Son.

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.

Getting to Cao Bang from Hanoi

Route 1: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Bac Kan – Cao Bang

Traveling from Hanoi along National Highway 3 through Thai Nguyen, Bac Kan. On this road you can also drop by Thai Nguyen or Bac Kan, especially there is the well-known place Ba Be Lake.

Route 2: Hanoi – Bac Giang – Lang Son – Cao Bang

Traveling from Hanoi along Highway 4 to Lang Son, combine to visit Mau Son and follow the direction of Dong Khe and That Khe to Cao Bang.

Hanoi to Cao Bang by private car

To rent a private car with driver is the most popular way to get to Cao Bang from Hanoi. The journey takes about 6 hours depending on traffic and stops. You will be picked up at any place in downtown Hanoi. You can make several stops on the way for taking picture or for coffee break.

In case you plan a self-supported bicycle touring in Cao Bang, you should book a minivan since it has enough space for both passengers and bikes.

Hanoi to Cao Bang by bus

You can catch the bus daily at My Dinh bus station and it takes about 8 hours to go to Cao Bang. Later in Cao Bang bus station you can take a taxi to get your hotel, and to continue exploring the place.

Hanoi to Cao Bang 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. Please note a Vietnamese driving license is required for riding scooter/motorbike in Vietnam.

If you go to Ha Giang by motorcycle from Hanoi, when coming back you can follow the direction of Dong Van to Meo Vac, go through Bao Lam, Bao Lac, Tinh Tuc (Nguyen Binh) and turn toward Bac Kan, crossing the Ba Be Lake resort before returning to Hanoi

Getting to Cao Bang from Ha Giang

Cao Bang can also be reached from Ha Giang. Many people do the Vietnam northeast loop by bicycle, starting from Ha Giang, traveling through Cao Bang, and ending in Lang Son. Do a stopover at Bao Lac town (about 70km from Meo Vac, the road is nice, by the end a bit underdone and shaky). It’s a nice small town by the river.

When to go cycling in Cao Bang?

Cao Bang in March, April, and May

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm in Cao Bang region. Highs range from 90.1°F (32.3°C) and 69.8°F (21°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 3 to 9 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the slowest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for Cao Bang bike tours.

Cao Bang in June, July, and August

The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. These months see the most precipitation with 11 to 14 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the second busiest season for domestic tourism in Cao Bang, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more. Try to explore Cao Bang by bicycle in weekdays during these months.

Cao Bang in September, October, and November

Fall daily highs range from 89.6°F (32°C) and 73.1°F (22.8°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 3 to 8 days per month. Tourism is the busiest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be higher priced. We recommend any mountain biking tour in Cao Bang during these months.

Cao Bang in December, January, and February

Weather is somewhat cool this time of year in Cao Bang to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 73.9°F (23.3°C) and 61.6°F (16.4°C). On average, it rains or snows a small amount: 2 to 3 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists. Try not planning your trip to Cao Bang during the Tet festival (Vietnam Lunar New Year) since most of travel sites, tourist attractions are closed.

What is the best time of year to go to Cao Bang?

If you plan your trip to Cao Bang with a focus on Ban Gioc waterfall, you should come around August and September. Because these months are in the rainy season, making this waterfall spectacular.

If you like to see flowers, you would better travel to Cao Bang at the end of the year around November, this is the season of buckwheat blossom.

If you like taking picture of snow is something rarely happens in Cao Bang, you should travel to Cao Bang in the winter.

What to explore on your Cao Bang bicycle tour?

The cool weather combines with many high mountains, beautiful sightseeing to form the convenient for cycling tour and discovery tour. Famous sites include Thang Hen Mountainous Lake in Tra Linh, Ban Gioc Fall and Nguom Ngao Cave in Trung Khanh. Among of them, Ban Gioc Fall probably is one of most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam. Several sites where Uncle Ho lived and worked before the August 1945 Revolution include Pac Bo, Coc Bo Cave, Lenin Stream, and Khuoi Nam Stream.

Thang Hen Lake

Thang Hen Lake is surrounded by mountains. It is at its best in the rainy season. During the dry season the lake shrinks and is not as impressive, but there are a few rafts that you can take. Walking in the nearby mountains brings you past local herders and farmers.

Ban Gioc Waterfall

This breathtaking waterfall, the largest in Vietnam, straddles the China-Vietnam border. The water is particularly thunderous in the wet season but is still beautiful during the dry. You can take a raft out into the river to the base of the falls and greet Chinese tourists doing the same from the other side. Ban Gioc Waterfall is about 85km from Cao Bang city, about 3 hours away.

Nguom Ngao Cave

Nguom Ngao Cave is located 3km from Ban Gioc waterfall. This immense cave holds a series of majestic, jaw-dropping caverns, filled with delicate, intricate formations of stalactites and stalagmites. In the low season, you may even have the cave to yourself, an experience probably not to be had elsewhere.

Vietnamese ethnic groups in Cao Bang province

Many ethnic groups live together here. It creates plentiful traditional culture. Tay group makes up a large amount of population. They have own handwriting (Tay-Nung language group). The Tay’s special culture is showed in village festival, vi and then singing.

Cao Bang cycling routes

There are several beautiful cycling routes in Cao Bang Vietnam. Most of these routes are mountain biking routes are ideal for intrepid cyclist and adventure travelers.

Here at VietnamCycling.com we’ve compiled best cycling routes in Cao Bang province as well as in the northeast region of Vietnam, covered by our great selection of exciting Cao Bang mountain bike tours.

Bike map: Cao Bang to Bac Kan

Bike map: Cao Bang city to Ban Gioc waterfall

Bike map: Cao Bang to Lang Son

Bike map: Nguyen Binh to Cao Bang

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Cao Bang cycling tours

At Vietnam Cycling we only run multi-day tours in the region of Cao Bang. Options include Cao Bang bicycle tour, cheap, budget Cao Bang bike ride, off the beaten path Cao Bang mountain biking holidays, easy, guided Cao Bang cycle itinerary, off the beaten track trip, Cao Bang cycling vacations, self-guided bicycle touring packages are crafted for cyclists, adventure travelers, and small group tour.

Read more: Cao Bang tours

Cao Bang bicycle rental

Looking for bike rental in Cao Bang for your upcoming self-guided tour? If you take a self-supported ride in Cao Bang, you should bring your own bike from Hanoi since there is no place to hire mountain bike in Cao Bang province. The best option is to rent a good mountain bicycle in a bike shop in Hanoi. We have Trek mountain bicycles, Giang Anyroad bikes and electricity-assisted bikes of different frame size to rent out at affordable rates.

For any Cao Bang biking tour we highly recommend hybrid, mountain bicycles with 24 or 27 speed gear. You will need that gear while cycling in such hilly region as Cao Bang Vietnam.

Additional questions about cycling in Cao Bang?

Do you have any questions about bicycle touring in Cao Bang that you want to ask us? Is there anything you think I should discuss about cycling around Cao Bang that we left out… that we should include in future updates to this article?

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