Cao Bang
Cao Bằng is the capital of Cao Bằng province in northern Vietnam. While unremarkable in and of itself, Cao Bằng is an easy-going gateway to the surrounding lakes, minority villages, karst peaks, caves, and the Ban Gioc Waterfall [[1]] on the Chinese border. Just 30km from China, it is an excellent stop for travelers coming from or going to the Pingxiang border crossing. For those tired of the tourist circuit of coastal Vietnam, Cao Bằng is also a refreshing glimpse into a city that exists solely on its own terms. Get in[edit]There are no rail connections, making buses the most convenient way to get to Cao Bằng. A bus from Lạng Sơn on the China-Vietnam border take 4-5 hours and costs 90,000 dong. There are also buses from the neighboring provinces in northern Vietnam. You can rent a bus from Hanoi to CaoBang , about 5 hours on road, cost around 15 USD Meo Vac -Bao Lac- Cao Bang You can drive from Meo Vac to Cao Bang, and do a stop over at Bao Lac town (about 70km from Meo Vac, the road is nice,by the end a bit underdone and shaky). It's a nice small town by the river, a bit dusty, but has its charm. It has a few nice hotels by the river near the market with reasonnable prices (~10usd)and a nice view, also a few eateries along the motorway with fresh beer (Saigon, Nada) and food. There's a petrol station and Agribank atm. Bao Lac - Cao Bang by bus, about 100.000 and a 4 hour journey. Bao Lam - Cao Bang by bus, about 120.000 and 5 hour journey, if coming from Ha giang, you can also break the journey in Bao Lam, then take the local bus to Cao Bang, many local buses from 6am to 1pm. Get around[edit]Cao Bằng is easily navigated on foot, but xe ôm (motorbike taxis) are convenient and cheap. The Bằng Giang River splits the city into two. The bus station is on the eastern side of the river; cross the bridge to find the main street, Kim Dong (parallel to the river), the market, and most of the hotels. See[edit][add listing]
Do[edit][add listing]Many minority tribes live in the area surrounding Cao Bằng, and their village markets make fascinating places to visit. Markets take place according to the lunar calendar, and the early morning is the best time to go. Hiring a motorbike is the only way to get there. Buy[edit][add listing]There are two fruit and vegetable markets on the western side of the river. The more organized one sprawls under a roof just north of the bridge along Kim Dong. It also sells some cooked foods and household goods. The second market stretches along the river south of the bridge and is only in the morning. Women from the countryside spread their fresh fruits and vegetables on blankets or in the baskets used to transport them. There is a night market every weekend when part of the main Kim Dong Road is closed for vehicles with music, food and other activities. Eat[edit][add listing]There are few restaurants in Cao Bằng, and those that exist are expensive by backpacker standards. Fortunately, eating on the streets is delicious, easy, and cheap. For breakfast, look no further than bahn mi, toasted baguettes filled with cuts of pork, egg, cilantro, and a sweet-spicy sauce. A woman on Pho Hoang Nhu, a few minutes' walk north of the Bac Lam Hotel, makes particularly tasty bahn mi. Pho shops line the street facing the bus station (around 12,000 dong per bowl). By dinnertime, certain areas become temporary food markets, with each area specializing in a certain dish. Walk south down Kim Dong from the bridge to find chao (rice porridge) and stir-fried instant noodles. On Kim Dong just south of the bridge there are several stands that serve pho and fried rice. For a sweet dessert, in the evening women set up small tables on the streets, where they cook up sticky rice balls in a sweet ginger soup. Served with crumbled peanuts on top, this is the perfect way to end a day of eating on the streets.
Sleep[edit][add listing]
Get out[edit]Buses and minibuses leave frequently in the morning for the various bus stations in Hanoi (170,000 dong), about 7 hours away. Buses leave less frequently after 10:00, and there are only a few buses in the afternoon. Hanoi buses stop at Thái Nguyên and often include a stop for food if running during meal times. Overnight sleeper buses from Cao Bằng to Hanoi's Mỹ Đình bus station depart at 20:00 and arrive in Hanoi at 05:00 the next day (200,000 dong). You can reach China through the border crossing at Lạng Sơn, five hours away by bus. Another daytrip possbility is Ba Be National Park, between Cao Bằng
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