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Hong Cuong, 24 years old, is currently a software engineer. He once completed a cross-Vietnam trip on a bicycle at the age of 21. With his passion for travel, his plan to explore all the mountainous provinces in the North is no exception. In mid-July, Hong Cuong and his girlfriend, Cuc, took a 3-day trip to Cao Bang.
Hong Cuong "checks in" at Mount Mat Than, Cao Bang.
3-day itinerary in Cao Bang
Cao Bang is a mountainous province located in the Northeast region of Vietnam, bordering China. Its rugged terrain, combined with its pristine natural beauty, features numerous mountain ranges, cave systems, and lakes, all of which enhance its charm. Furthermore, it is home to a rich and diverse cultural heritage of the Tay, Nung, and Kinh ethnic groups.
Cao Bang is considered the green gem of the Northeast mountains.
Hong Cuong's trip to the mountainous region of Cao Bang lasted 3 days and included famous locations such as: Cao Bang city, Pac Bo cave, Lenin stream, Karl Marx mountain, Km 0 of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, Mount Mat Than, Ban Gioc waterfall, Khuoi Ky stone village, Ban Viet lake, and Trung Khanh market.
On their first day in Cao Bang city, Hong Cuong and Cuc decided to rent a motorbike and travel to the Pac Bo historical site (Lenin Stream, Karl Marx Cave, etc.) to explore and relax there.
On the second day, we traveled from Pac Bo to visit Mount Mat Than, Thang Hen Lake, and stopped at Ban Gioc Waterfall, then rested overnight.
On the third day, we'll travel from Bản Giốc to Trùng Khánh market to learn more about the culture and cuisine of the market. Afterwards, we'll travel back to Cao Bằng city before taking a bus back to Hanoi.
The couple Hong Cuong and Cuc by the Lenin Stream. This place is known as the green heart of the Pac Bo mountain forest.
Besides the famous tourist attractions mentioned above, what Hong Cuong likes most about Cao Bang is the pristine beauty of nature, untouched by too much human impact.
Hong Cuong excitedly recounted: "Almost both sides of the road were lined with lush green trees, with steep slopes, clear streams and lakes, and a dense range of towering mountains that were very pleasing to the eye. Many times, the beauty along the way made those of us who love freedom stop to admire it."
Ban Gioc Waterfall boasts a stunning emerald green color, with crystal-clear water flowing gently like a silken ribbon over the rocky cliffs, creating a breathtakingly beautiful sight.
For Hong Cuong, this trip was a mixed bag, a memorable or forgettable experience. On the very first day in Cao Bang, he had a motorcycle accident, had to return to the hospital for a cast, and had to let his girlfriend take the wheel for the remaining 300 km.
This was Hong Cuong's first time on a motorbike trip where he sat on the back of a motorbike for the entire journey, and even more special was that a girl was behind the handlebars. This made him both excited and very worried after his previous injury.
"However, luckily, my girlfriend's resilience helped us turn that unfortunate accident into a wonderful spice for this trip," he said emotionally.
According to Hong Cuong, the must-try experiences when visiting Cao Bang are: bathing in the streams, eating local specialties, and exploring the culture of the area instead of just visiting famous tourist attractions.
Specialty dishes of the local people of Cao Bang
It's often said that Cao Bang is likened to a "green gem" of the Northeast mountains. But it wasn't until Hong Cuong actually set foot here to admire its beauty that he was truly impressed. The rich natural scenery, friendly people, and pleasant atmosphere are all positive points for nature lovers and explorers like this young couple.
Tips and advice for those visiting Cao Bang for the first time.
The roads in Cao Bang are quite steep, so tourists traveling by motorbike should be very careful.
"I fell off my motorbike while descending a mountain pass in the rain. The slippery road and steep slope caused the wheels to skid when I braked, resulting in me having to wear a cast for over a month," Hong Cuong said.
It's best to drive slowly, only use manual transmission vehicles, and be extra careful when driving on wet roads, as Cao Bang is surrounded by mountains, resulting in a lot of loose gravel and difficult handling. Additionally, tourist attractions in Cao Bang are quite far apart, so it's advisable to have a detailed itinerary beforehand to ensure a complete and memorable trip.
The journeys of youth
Driven by a passion for travel, Hong Cuong and Cuc are young people who have visited many destinations in Vietnam, especially their cross-Vietnam bicycle trip at the age of 21, which led to their relationship.
Hong Cuong met many people who said, "I long for trips like yours, but I'm too busy with work, family, and I'm not as healthy as I was when I was younger to fully enjoy those kinds of trips."
Sharing a passion for travel, Cuong and Cuc fell in love during a cross-Vietnam bicycle trip when they were 21 years old.
He shared that they might be financially stable, but they lack the enthusiasm and dynamism of youth and regret not having had experiences that could only be had in their twenties. Therefore, if we can balance passion with other factors, we should pursue our passion for travel when we have the opportunity.
"I believe that the experiences we accumulate in our youth will be invaluable assets for our future journeys. And who knows, the friends we make on those trips might be special people who will stay with us throughout our lives. But after all, the most important thing is a safe journey," Hong Cuong shared.
