Your trip
Cao Bang
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Getting into Cao Bang
Airport and station transfer tips for Cao Bang are coming soon.
Cao Bang
Cao Bằng · Ban Gioc Waterfall, karst valleys and winding passes near the Chinese border.Places to visit
One of Southeast Asia's largest waterfalls, multi-tiered on the Vietnam–China border amid rice fields.
Good to know: Low water December–March; muddy after heavy rain.
Map ↗ Find out more →A 2 km lit stalactite cave with walkways, about 3 km from Ban Gioc.
Good to know: Damp, slippery paths.
Map ↗Lake among limestone peaks, one of a chain of 36 lakes in Tra Linh; boat or walk around it.
Good to know: Water may drop in the dry season.
Map ↗A pass with stacked hairpin bends, photographed from the top viewpoint or by drone.
Good to know: Narrow road; stop only in safe spots.
Map ↗Coc Bo Cave where Ho Chi Minh lived in 1941, with the jade-green Lenin Stream and Karl Marx Mountain. Admission is…
Good to know: Very crowded with groups on public holidays.
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Coc Bo Cave where Ho Chi Minh lived in 1941, with the jade-green Lenin Stream and Karl Marx Mountain. Admission is free; you only pay if you use any services here.
Tay village of century-old stone stilt houses, with homestays near the falls.
Map ↗Show 2 more
A mountain with a huge hole through it like an eye, rising from rice fields.
Good to know: Long, narrow road; best when the rice is green or golden.
Map ↗Pass on Highway 3 from Cao Bang City toward Trung Khanh, with limestone and valley views.
Good to know: Landslides possible in heavy summer rain.
Map ↗Where to eat
Local favourites in Cao Bang coming soon.
Good to know before you go
Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?
It depends on your passport. Some nationalities can enter visa-free for a set number of days; everyone else can apply online for an e-visa, valid for up to 90 days. The list of visa-free countries changes, so check the official e-visa portal before you book. Apply only on the official government site: look-alike agency sites charge extra fees.
Official e-visa portal: https://evisa.gov.vn
What documents do I need at the airport when I arrive?
Your passport (valid for at least 6 months from entry, with blank pages), your printed or on-phone e-visa if you need one, and your onward or return ticket in case the officer asks. Keep your hotel address handy too.
Official e-visa portal: https://evisa.gov.vn
Should I bring cash or use cards in Vietnam?
Both. Hotels, malls, chain cafés and many restaurants take cards, but street food, markets, small shops and local buses are cash only. ATMs are everywhere in cities; each withdrawal usually carries a fee from the local bank, so take out larger amounts less often.
How do I avoid mixing up Vietnamese banknotes?
Prices have many zeros, and some notes look alike: the 20,000 and 500,000 notes are both blue. Count the zeros before handing money over, keep large and small notes in separate pockets, and read the amount aloud when paying.
Make it a longer trip
Travellers often combine these with Cao Bang.
