What to do

Experiences

Rafting, trekking, homestays and market days: ways to know Cao Bang beyond the photo stop.

Summer – autumn

Bamboo raft to the falls

Glide across the Quay Son River on a bamboo raft right up to the spray of Ban Gioc.

Oct – Apr

Trek Phia Oac

Hike through primary forest and chase sea-of-cloud views on Cao Bang’s highest peak with a local guide.

All year

Stay in a stilt house

Sleep in a village homestay, learn to wrap rice cakes, cook local dishes and hear Then songs by the fire.

On market days

Highland market day

Rotating markets full of textiles, fresh produce, corn liquor and highland life.

Sep – Nov

Follow a geotrail

The geopark’s themed routes link its heritage sites; drive, ride or cycle them in stages.

Best Sep – Oct

Walk Phong Nam Valley

Walk or cycle through rice fields along the Quay Son River and climb Pi Pha viewpoint for sunrise.

Photo: Bùi Tuấn HùngAll year; golden rice Sep – Oct

Stay in Hoai Khao Dao Tien village

Sleep in a Dao Tien wooden house, learn embroidery and beeswax printing, hear pao dung songs and go bamboo-shoot picking with villagers.

All year; best at year end

Make incense, paper and blades

Three Nung An craft villages in Quang Uyen: roll incense in Phia Thap, lift a sheet of paper in Dia Tren and try the hammer at a Pac Rang forge.

Sep – Nov

Roast chestnuts at Ban Khay

A Tay chestnut grove of over 4 ha in Trung Khanh with a heritage tree about 120 years old; roast chestnuts with villagers over a stilt-house wood fire.

Travel responsibly

Protect a million-year heritage

The geopark is a living landscape. Choose local homestays, guides and products; carry your rubbish out of caves, lakes and falls; never break stalactites or carve on rock.

Ask us for advice