Cao Bang: Trade and services flourish, tourism experiences a breakthrough.

In the first five months of 2026, Cao Bang's trade and services showed clear signs of improvement in many aspects, with tourism experiencing a strong breakthrough with nearly 1.3 million visitors, an increase of 17.9% compared to the same period.

Domestic market is vibrant, border crossings are showing clear signs of recovery.

Domestic trade was the most promising aspect of Cao Bang province's trade and services sector in the first five months of 2026. According to a report by the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee, cumulative retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue reached an estimated 6,477 billion VND, an increase of nearly 18% compared to the same period in 2025, achieving 44% of the annual plan; May alone reached 1,349 billion VND, a 22.5% increase compared to the same period. Increased purchasing power led to significantly more vibrant trading activities at markets throughout the province compared to the same period.

Speaking with a reporter from the Industry and Trade Newspaper, Ms. Luong Thi Hoa, a small business owner at the central market in Cao Bang province, said: "Since the beginning of the year, sales have been better, especially for food and household goods. People's purchasing power has increased significantly, and business is much more favorable than last year."

Specialty products and OCOP (One Commune One Product) products from Cao Bang province were displayed and introduced at the trade promotion conference. Photo: Dong Cuong

Along with the domestic market, import and export activities through border gates also show a positive recovery trend. According to the People's Committee of Cao Bang province, the import and export turnover of goods in May reached over 205 million USD, an increase of 54% compared to the previous month and a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. Of this, export turnover reached 73.21 million USD, an increase of 27% compared to the previous month; the main export items included jackfruit, durian, sugarcane, tea, cashew nuts, and shrimp. Notably, the monitored target reached 112 million USD, an increase of 160% compared to the same period last year, representing the most outstanding growth in the period and likely to exceed the assigned plan.

In the first five months of the year, the total import and export turnover through border gates reached US$475.58 million, equivalent to 27% of the annual plan. Customs clearance activities were mainly concentrated at the Ta Lung and Tra Linh international border gates. From May 1st to 17th, 2026, the number of vehicles cleared through customs reached 1,079, including 867 export vehicles and 212 import vehicles. The province is also piloting normal customs clearance on weekends and holidays at the Ta Lung II bridge customs clearance point, contributing to greater convenience for businesses and people...

Tourism experiences breakthrough and impressive growth.

Along with the growth of domestic trade and border gate activities, tourism continues to emerge as an important pillar, making a significant contribution to the province's total service revenue in the first five months of the year.

Tourism was Cao Bang's most impressive growth sector in the first five months of 2026. According to the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee, the total number of visitors in May was estimated at 384,000, an increase of 38% compared to the previous month and 2.4% compared to the same period last year; total tourism revenue reached VND 420 billion, an increase of 35.4% compared to the previous month and 15% compared to the same period last year. For the first five months of the year, the total number of visitors reached nearly 1.3 million, an increase of 17.9% compared to the same period last year, achieving 46.3% of the annual plan; tourism revenue reached VND 1,428 billion, an increase of 24.8%, achieving 45.2% of the annual plan. The average occupancy rate of accommodation throughout the province was estimated at 53%.

Tran Anh Dung's Phong Nam Station homestay tourism model attracts both domestic and international visitors for sightseeing and experiences. Photo: Phong Lam

One of the factors driving tourism growth is the proliferation of accommodation models that integrate with local communities and natural landscapes. In Dinh Phong commune (Cao Bang province), Phong Nam Station Homestay, owned by Mr. Tran Anh Dung, is a prime example. The facility has 4 single rooms and 1 dormitory room, accommodating approximately 20 guests per stay. Since the beginning of the year, the number of visitors has continuously increased, with rooms fully booked for a whole week at times.

Speaking with a reporter from the Industry and Trade Newspaper, Mr. Tran Anh Dung, owner of Phong Nam Station Homestay, shared: "Guests come to us mainly to experience village life, the peaceful natural scenery, and local cuisine . The number of guests has been very high recently, with some periods of rooms being fully booked for many consecutive days. This small homestay model provides a stable income, and more importantly, it helps local people in the commune find employment and preserve traditional culture to introduce to tourists."

Ban Gioc Waterfall is a famous tourist destination in Cao Bang. The waterfall is located in the core area of ​​the UNESCO Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark.

Besides the development of accommodation facilities, the reputation of Cao Bang Geopark continues to be strengthened with its recognition by UNESCO during the second reassessment. The website caobangngeopark.com recorded over 330,000 visits and published 48 articles promoting the park both domestically and internationally. At Ban Gioc Waterfall Tourist Area, management and supervision are strictly maintained, ensuring safe and compliant sightseeing activities.

In the final months of 2026, Cao Bang province will focus on effectively implementing the "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods" campaign, promoting trade, developing e-commerce, and participating in domestic and international trade fairs. Regarding border gates, the province will continue to refine the project on specific mechanisms and policies for developing border economic zones, while encouraging the attraction of logistics and e-commerce businesses to invest at key border gates such as Ta Lung and Tra Linh.

Regarding tourism, the province will continue to promote, develop, and expand the UNESCO Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark, and finalize mechanisms to support tourism development in the 2026-2030 period. With positive growth from the first five months of the year, trade, services, and tourism are expected to continue to be a solid pillar, making a significant contribution to Cao Bang achieving its 10% growth target in 2026.

With the positive growth momentum of trade, services, and tourism in the first five months of the year, Cao Bang province aims to focus on completing border gate economic infrastructure, boosting trade and tourism promotion, effectively exploiting the brand of the UNESCO Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark in the remaining months of 2026, and striving to achieve a 10% growth target for 2026.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/cao-bang-thuong-mai-dich-vu-khoi-sac-du-lich-but-pha-459537.html