Cao Bang

4,8/5

(249 reviews)

Destination

Overview

At the Origins of the Vietnamese Revolution

The province of Cao Bang holds a special place in Vietnam’s contemporary history.

It was in Pac Bo, near the Chinese border, that Ho Chi Minh settled after living abroad for thirty years. From this region, in the early 1940s, the Revolution began to take shape, eventually leading to the Declaration of Independence in 1945. Later, during the First Indochina War, the region became a stronghold of the Viet Minh. In 1950, the Viet Minh inflicted a major defeat on the French Expeditionary Corps when the latter attempted to withdraw from Cao Bang. From then on, supported with weapons and training by the People’s Republic of China, the Viet Minh transformed into a conventional army, gradually regaining control over all of Northern Vietnam.

Today, many Vietnamese travel to the region in the footsteps of their national hero. Visitors can see the Coc Bo Cave, where Ho Chi Minh is said to have lived during his time in Pac Bo. This site is also known as Km 0 of the “Ho Chi Minh Road” (not to be confused with the Ho Chi Minh Trail), which stretches from Pac Bo to Ca Mau in the Mekong Delta—a distance of 1,235 kilometers.

But Pac Bo is far from the only attraction! Cao Bang is home to Ban Gioc Waterfall, the most impressive in Vietnam, which also forms a natural border between Vietnam and China.

The region also offers encounters with diverse ethnic cultures, such as the Nung people. On the way to Ban Gioc from Cao Bang, you can visit Phuc Sen village, known for its traditional knife-making. Finally, some may have heard of the Black Lolos, made famous by a French television program on France 2 in 2012. This ethnic group lives just a few kilometers from Bao Lac, a town located 120 km southwest of Cao Bang.

Discover the region with our 8-day tour of Northeast Vietnam!

Why Go There?

Recommended Activities

Discover Ban Gioc Waterfalls

Drive through the Non Nuoc Geopark

Visit Pac Bo Cave

Visit Truc Lam Phat Tich Pagoda

Fiche circuit

8 days

Authentic Discovery of Northeast Vietnam

Northeast Vietnam in 8 Days: Ha Giang, Ma Pi Leng Pass, Ban Gioc Waterfalls, Ba Be Lake, and Off-the-Beaten-Path Nature Immersion

Fiche circuit

13 days

Tonkin Ethnic Minorities – 12 Days

12-Day Immersion in Northern Vietnam: Lan Ha Bay, Sapa Villages, Ethnic Markets, Hoang Su Phi Rice Terraces, and Ban Gioc Waterfalls

Client testimonials

They share their experiences

Helina – cruise tour

“Mathieu was truly wonderful. A big thank you for all the flawless arrangements! We had an amazing cruise with so many beautiful memories 🥰 – the crew was incredibly friendly, and all the activities were very well organized.”

Christelle – Vietnam tour

“An effective agency and more … We discovered Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Min through Hue and Hoi An thanks to the excellent services. To choose the tour I had excellent exchanges with the agency throughout the preparation of the trip so that it fits what we wanted. We had three different guides. All friendly and speaking English very well. The drivers were professional (and you have to be to get around Vietnam),very attentive and punctual.”

Gregorio – cruise tour

“Such a great experience! They organised a transfer from our homestay in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh, directly to Cat Ba. We did the Lan Ha Bay cruise, spending 2 days and 1 night around. This bay is beautiful and quiet, indeed we didn’t meet too many boats so we appreciated the panorama 100%. Our boat was beautiful and we shared the cruise with another couple, so it is the best choice if you are looking for a peaceful experience”

Rama – Parfum d’Automne cruise tour

“EXTRAORDINARY Agency I called on them for a cruise on September 23rd in the evening to ask for a place for a cruise on the 24th (my birthday) not only did they take care of my return from sapa to Hanoi that same evening, on the 24th on the boat all the crew knew about my birthday, they wished me, also made me a surprise cake in the evening. The stay on the boat was so amazing that I added an extra night , without being a ray of sun, he smiles all the time and pampers us throughout the cruise.”

Arthur – Four Season Cruise Tour

“The agency took great care of us, answering all our questions and showing real flexibility. We went on a cruise in Lan Ha Bay aboard the Quatre Saisons junk. The boat was comfortable and clean, the food was delicious, and the scenery absolutely stunning. We didn’t come across many other boats along our route, which made the experience even more special. The activities were well organized and done in small groups, which we really appreciated.”

Gael – Northern Vietnam tour

“Exceptional service and magnificent organized tours ! We’re Swiss and took advantage of Parfum d’Automne’s offers to visit Cat Ba, Lan Ha Bay, next to Halong Bay, and the Pu Luong region in the northwest mountains of Vietnam. It was fantastic! We met a lot of great locals, not least thanks to the guides and tours organized by the agency.”

4,8/5 (249 avis)

4,6/5 (142 avis)

Travel Tips & Inspiration

Discover Our Latest Blog Posts

Want to learn more about Vietnam before traveling there? Here are our blog posts with the best tips from Parfum d’Automne for your trip to Vietnam. Discover insights on its gastronomy, destinations, people, and all the best travel hacks!