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Cao Bằng

Cao Bằng contends with Hà Giang as northern Vietnam's most attractive province. But whereas Hà Giang's claim rests on great mountains and a wild and dramatic landscape, Cao Bằng is essentially more homely, clothed and green. It is probably the least visited province of Vietnam, but this is simply because it is a long way to go, does not combine easily with other places and does not have the named special places that attract visitors. However, it does have the Ba Bể national park and the Bản Giốc waterfalls. Much of the area is formed from karsts, but here these limestone hills are heavily wooded, rather than the bleak peaks of further west. We rather hope that not too many people will discover this corner of Vietnam, it remains today largely untouched by tourism.

May 2016

In Ba Bể national park
In Ba Bể national park
In Ba Bể national park A fisherman on Ba Bể Lake
A fisherman on Ba Bể Lake
A fisherman on Ba Bể Lake The National Park of Ba Bể embraces a main lake of some 7,600 ha and extends to over 23,000 ha in total. The range of species of fauna and flora is extensive, and seem to co-exist well enough with Vietnamese tourists who favour it as a key northern destination. Various types of accommodation are offered within and around the park. Caves to the south-east of the Lake
Caves to the south-east of the Lake
Caves to the south-east of the Lake The walk to work
The walk to work
The walk to work The contained landscapes are homely...
The contained landscapes are homely...
The contained landscapes are homely... ...although the hills are in fact still high
...although the hills are in fact still high
...although the hills are in fact still high < Terraces and houses are common to all Vietnam
Terraces and houses are common to all Vietnam
Terraces and houses are common to all Vietnam Evening light on a hillside...
Evening light on a hillside...
Evening light on a hillside... The most striking feature of the province is the dominance of green. Trees are relatively plentiful and the hills are mostly covered, if not in original jungle, at least in growth that can anchor the soil and provide habitats for the fauna. There are relatively few people (under 80 per square kilometre) and the ensuing sense of space in a crowded country is refreshing. ...and paddy fields in the valleys
...and paddy fields in the valleys
...and paddy fields in the valleys The heavily clothed nature of the countryside
The heavily clothed nature of the countryside
The heavily clothed nature of the countryside Rich fields set a karst landscape
Rich fields set a karst landscape
Rich fields set a karst landscape Cao Bang in essence
Cao Bang in essence
Cao Bang in essence The border with China in the north east is defined by the River Quây Sơn which forms the cascades of Bản Giốc a major attraction for the Vietnamese and Chinese alike. Boats from both sides take visitors around the area below the falls, but the two sets of visitors do not meet let alone mingle. The Bản Giốc waterfalls or cascades in the far north-east of the province
The Bản Giốc waterfalls or cascades in the far north-east of the province
The Bản Giốc waterfalls or cascades in the far north-east of the province