Overview
The Cao Bang Loop takes you deep into one of Vietnam's most overlooked UNESCO Global Geoparks — Non Nuoc Cao Bang. In just 3 days and 2 nights, you'll visit traditional Nung An craft villages, ride past the dreamy Ba Quang grass hills, witness Vietnam's largest waterfall at Ban Gioc, walk through 260-million-year-old marine fossils, and conquer the legendary 15-floor Khau Coc Cha Pass.
This Cao Bang Loop 3 Days 2 Nights itinerary covers the highlights: Phia Thap incense village, Dia Tren paper-making village, Ba Quang burned-grass hills, Phat Tich Truc Lam Pagoda, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Ngoc Con viewpoint, the iconic Angel Eye Mountain, Tra Linh fossils, the historical Pac Bo with Lenin Stream and Coc Bo Cave, plus the spectacular Na Tenh and Khau Coc Cha mountain passes along the Vietnam–China border.
Travel with experienced local Easy Rider guides who know every backroad, every viewpoint, and every story of the Cao Bang highlands. Expect dramatic limestone landscapes, authentic homestay nights at Me Farmstay, hot Cao Bang cuisine, and the kind of cultural exchange that turns strangers into friends.
Itinerary
Hanoi → Cao Bang (Night Sleeper Bus)
Your Cao Bang Loop adventure begins with an overnight transfer from Hanoi to Cao Bang. Choose between two pick-up options:
Cao Bang City → Phia Thap Incense Village → Dia Tren Paper Village → Ba Quang Hills → Trung Khanh → Ban Gioc Waterfall → Nguom Ngao Cave → Phat Tich Truc Lam Pagoda
A full day of cultural immersion and natural wonders — start with traditional Nung An craft villages, ride past the dreamy Ba Quang grass hills, then reach Vietnam's most spectacular border waterfall and underground cave system. Approx. 120 km of riding.
Pick-up & Tour Briefing
Driver picks you up from your accommodation or meet at Com Na Can Homestay (3/10 Str. Na Can) in Cao Bang City. Safety briefing and start your Cao Bang Loop adventure.
Phia Thap Incense Village (Làng Hương Phia Thắp)
Visit the traditional Nung An incense-making village. Watch the locals craft fragrant incense sticks using ancient techniques passed down through generations.
Dia Tren Paper Village (Làng Giấy Dìa Trên)
Continue to Dia Tren village — home to the Nung An paper-making craft. See how traditional do paper is made by hand from tree bark, water, and centuries of know-how.
Ba Quang Burned-Grass Hills (Đồi Cỏ Cháy Ba Quảng)
Ride to the dreamy Ba Quang grass hills — rolling golden meadows that look like a painting. Perfect for photos under the late morning light.
Lunch in Trung Khanh
Local lunch at a family-run restaurant. Try the famous Cao Bang sour pho (phở chua) and Trung Khanh chestnuts (in season).
Ban Gioc Waterfall (Thác Bản Giốc)
Vietnam's largest waterfall and one of Asia's most spectacular border falls. Hop on a sampan boat for a front-row seat to nature's show, with the falls thundering on both the Vietnam and China sides.
Nguom Ngao Cave (Động Ngườm Ngao)
Explore this underground wonderland spread across 3 mountains. Look out for stalactites and stalagmites that resemble animals, plants, and human figures. Your jaw may drop at the cave's beauty!
Phat Tich Truc Lam Pagoda (Chùa Phật Tích Trúc Lâm)
End the day with a mini workout — 300 steps up to the pagoda overlooking Ban Gioc. The panoramic sunset view is worth every step. Inside, learn the history and spiritual significance of the pagoda.
Arrive Ban Gioc Homestay
Check in to a cozy local homestay near Ban Gioc. Dinner with traditional Cao Bang dishes and "happy water" (rice wine) with the host family.
Ban Gioc → Ngoc Con Viewpoint → Angel Eye Mountain → Tra Linh Fossils → Pac Bo Historical Site → Lenin Stream → Coc Bo Cave → Me Farmstay
A day rich in geology and revolutionary history — hike to Ngoc Con's viewpoint over the Quay Son River, stop at the iconic Angel Eye Mountain, marvel at 260-million-year-old fossils in Tra Linh, then walk through the cave where modern Vietnamese history was born. Overnight at the cozy Me Farmstay in Pac Bo.
Breakfast & Check Out
Rise and shine! Breakfast at the homestay, then pack up and check out.
Hike to Ngoc Con Viewpoint (Đỉnh Ngọc Côn)
Ngoc Con is the headwater of the Quay Son River. Hike to the mountain top for a breathtaking panoramic view of the emerald valley below. The trail is moderate — perfect for those who enjoy light, scenic hikes.
Angel Eye Mountain (Núi Mắt Thần)
Stop at one of Cao Bang's most photographed landmarks — the iconic "eye" of Angel Eye Mountain. A short easy hike or seasonal kayak/sampan boat (April–October) lets you enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding limestone karst countryside. The natural rock arch through the mountain is a geological wonder you won't see anywhere else in Vietnam.
Tra Linh — 260-Million-Year-Old Fossils
Stop in Tra Linh to see one of Cao Bang Geopark's most extraordinary geological treasures: marine fossils that are 260 million years old. A rare glimpse into the Earth's deep past, embedded in the limestone of Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark.
Lunch en Route
Lunch at a local restaurant — try authentic Cao Bang dishes like vit quay 7 vi (7-spice roast duck) or banh cuon Cao Bang.
Pac Bo Historical Site (Khu Di Tích Pác Bó)
Arrive at the historically significant Pac Bo — a UNESCO-recognized site and one of the most important locations in modern Vietnamese history.
Lenin Stream (Suối Lê-nin)
Walk along the picturesque Lenin Stream — a serene, crystal-clear brook named by Ho Chi Minh after the Russian revolutionary. Take in the peaceful beauty and learn the story behind the name.
Coc Bo Cave (Hang Cốc Bó)
Explore Coc Bo Cave where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked after returning from 30 years abroad. See the simple living conditions that shaped his revolutionary ideas and hear fascinating stories about this pivotal period in Vietnamese history.
Arrive Me Farmstay (Mế Farmstay)
Check in to the cozy Me Farmstay in Pac Bo. Take a stroll around the village, meet the chickens and ducks, and relax in the rural quiet.
Dinner & Cultural Exchange
Gather for a mouth-watering home-cooked meal. Share stories with your hosts, learn about local Tay and Nung life, and enjoy some "happy water" (rice wine) by the fire.
Me Farmstay → Na Tenh Pass (Vietnam–China Border Road) → Khau Coc Cha Pass (15 Floors) → Cao Bang City → Hanoi
The most dramatic riding day of the loop — ride along the Vietnam–China border road through Na Tenh Pass, then conquer the legendary Khau Coc Cha "15-floor pass" before returning to Cao Bang City. Two bus options to Hanoi in the afternoon.
Breakfast at Me Farmstay
Start your day with a hearty breakfast surrounded by Pac Bo's quiet morning mist.
Na Tenh Pass — Vietnam–China Border Road (Đèo Nà Tềnh, đường biên giới Việt–Trung)
Begin the day on Na Tenh Pass, a remote mountain road that runs along the Vietnam–China border. Sweeping limestone valley views, quiet villages, and multiple photo stops where you can see China just across the ridge.
Khau Coc Cha Pass — Đèo 15 Tầng
The legendary "15-floor pass" — one of the most dramatic switchback roads in Vietnam. Each level offers a higher viewpoint of the karst peaks. Stop at the top for unforgettable photos and a moment to soak it all in.
Final Lunch
Enjoy a final taste of Cao Bang cuisine at a local restaurant en route back to the city.
Arrive Cao Bang City
Arrive back in Cao Bang City. Free time to relax, freshen up, and grab a coffee before your bus to Hanoi. We can also arrange buses to other destinations including Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, or Cat Ba Island — just ask.
Choose your bus back to Hanoi:
Route Map
Hanoi → Cao Bang City → Phia Thap & Dia Tren Villages → Ba Quang Hills → Ban Gioc Waterfall → Nguom Ngao Cave → Ngoc Con → Angel Eye Mountain → Tra Linh Fossils → Pac Bo (Lenin Stream + Coc Bo Cave) → Na Tenh Pass → Khau Coc Cha 15-Floor Pass → Cao Bang City → Hanoi
What's Included
Included
- Professional local guide (Easy Rider or Jeep driver)
- 2 nights accommodation (homestay in Ban Gioc + Me Farmstay in Pac Bo)
- Meals as per itinerary: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
- Quality helmet and rain poncho
- Fuel for the entire journey
- Bottled water during rides
- All entrance fees (Phia Thap, Dia Tren, Ban Gioc, Nguom Ngao Cave, Angel Eye Mountain, Tra Linh fossils, Pac Bo, Coc Bo Cave)
- Sampan boat at Ban Gioc Waterfall
- 24/7 support throughout the tour
Not Included
- Sleeper / limousine bus tickets Hanoi ↔ Cao Bang (can arrange)
- Personal expenses and snacks
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Tips for guide (appreciated)
- Single room or private room upgrade
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional kayak/sampan at Angel Eye Mountain (seasonal, April–October)
Reviews
"Did the Cao Bang Loop 3 days with Loop Trails. Angel Eye Mountain at sunrise was unreal, and Khau Coc Cha — the 15-floor pass — was the most jaw-dropping road I've ever ridden. The Pac Bo farmstay felt like stepping back in time."
"Cao Bang is Vietnam's hidden gem. This Cao Bang Loop tour packed everything: Ban Gioc, Nguom Ngao Cave, the dreamy Ngoc Con valley, and the historical Coc Bo. Far less touristy than Ha Giang — and that's exactly what we wanted."
"The Ba Quang grass hills were a complete surprise — looked straight out of a fantasy movie. Our guide knew every backroad and stopped at all the hidden viewpoints other tours skip. Highly recommend pairing this with the Ha Giang Loop."
FAQs
Absolutely! Most guests choose the Easy Rider option — you ride as a passenger while an experienced local driver handles the mountain roads. Khau Coc Cha Pass and the surrounding switchbacks are dramatic but completely safe in the hands of our guides.
Cao Bang is far less touristy than Ha Giang. You'll trade the iconic Ma Pi Leng Pass for Khau Coc Cha (15 floors), Du Gia Waterfall for Ban Gioc Waterfall (Vietnam's largest), and H'Mong villages for Tay and Nung communities. Cao Bang also has unique highlights like Coc Bo Cave (Ho Chi Minh's historical hideout) and Angel Eye Mountain that don't exist in Ha Giang.
Pack light but plan for changing mountain weather. Essentials: a warm layer, rain jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable closed shoes (some hiking at Angel Eye Mountain and Ngoc Con), a small backpack, swimwear (for Ban Gioc area in summer), camera/phone, charger, and cash for personal expenses. We provide helmets and rain ponchos.
Cao Bang's mountain climate ranges from 8–28°C depending on season. Winter (November–February) can be chilly with mist and 8–15°C in early mornings. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant (15–25°C). Summer (May–August) is warm and lush green but with afternoon rain showers. Always pack a warm layer.
Yes! We arrange both Limousine bus and comfort sleeper bus from Hanoi Old Quarter to Cao Bang. Two pick-up options: 2:30 PM Limousine (arrive 10 PM) or 8:00 PM sleeper bus (arrive 5 AM with free dorm bed and breakfast at our partner homestay). The return bus from Cao Bang to Hanoi is also included in the planning. Let us know your preferred option when booking.
Yes — Khau Coc Cha is a paved, well-maintained mountain road with 15 dramatic switchback levels. Our experienced Easy Rider drivers know every turn and ride at a safe, comfortable pace. We stop at the top for unforgettable photos. In heavy rain or fog, we adjust the schedule for safety.
Absolutely — we offer combined Ha Giang–Cao Bang 5D4N and 6D5N tours that link the two loops via Bao Lac and the remote backroads. Perfect for travelers who want to experience both UNESCO Global Geoparks (Dong Van Karst Plateau and Non Nuoc Cao Bang) in one epic ride.
We arrive back in Cao Bang City around 3:00 PM on Day 3. Choose between two bus options to Hanoi: the 4:00 PM Limousine Bus (arrive Hanoi Opera House around 10:30 PM same evening) or the 8:00 PM VIP Sleeper Bus (arrive Hanoi early next morning). We can also arrange buses to Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, or Cat Ba Island if you're continuing your Vietnam adventure.