Cao Bang, the “green pearl” of Northeastern Vietnam, about 280km from Hanoi, is an ideal destination for those who love majestic nature, historical relics, and unique ethnic culture. With Ban Gioc Waterfall – one of the four largest waterfalls in the world , Ba Be Lake – top 20 most beautiful freshwater lakes on the planet (UNESCO), and Pac Bo relic site associated with revolutionary history, Cao Bang attracts more than 1.5 million visitors each year (according to Cao Bang Department of Tourism, 2024). In 2025, tours from Hanoi are expected to increase by 15% thanks to the improved Hanoi – Lang Son – Cao Bang expressway.
Why choose Cao Bang 3 days 2 nights tour ?
Cao Bang not only has magnificent mountain scenery but also has profound historical value. According to Thanh Nien newspaper (2024), Ban Gioc Waterfall is ranked in the top 3 most beautiful waterfalls in Southeast Asia, while Ba Be Lake is an ideal "healing" spot with a peaceful space. The 3-day 2-night tour from Hanoi allows you to fully experience prominent destinations such as Pac Bo, Nguom Ngao Cave, and Phuc Sen blacksmith village, while enjoying specialties such as ant egg cake and canarium sticky rice. The average cost is from 2.39-4.5 million VND/person, suitable for individuals, families, or businesses organizing team building.
FAQ: How to explore Cao Bang in 3 days? Follow the detailed itinerary below!
Prepare before joining the Cao Bang 3 days 2 nights tour
To make your trip go smoothly, you need to prepare carefully. Here are the specific steps:
Book a tour: Choose a reputable company such as Antamtour (0939 311 911), Smile Travel (0369 461 186), or Kavo Travel (0962 705 533). The tour package price ranges from 2.39-4.5 million VND, including tourist car, 2-3 star hotel, and 5 main meals (120,000-200,000 VND/meal).
Transportation: From Hanoi to Cao Bang (6-7 hours, Hanoi - Lang Son - Cao Bang highway), use a tourist car (Hyundai County, 350,000-500,000 VND/round trip). Locally, rent a motorbike (100,000-150,000 VND/day) or an electric car (10,000 VND/trip).
Accommodation: 2-3 star hotels such as Sunny Hotel Cao Bang (600,000-1,200,000 VND/night) or Pac Ngoi village homestay (300,000-500,000 VND/night). Book through Booking.com, Traveloka to receive discounts.
Luggage: Bring trekking shoes, light jacket, insect repellent, digestive medicine, ID card. Bring cash because ATMs in Cao Bang are limited. Prepare hats and umbrellas for the rainy season (June-August).
Supported applications: Use Vietmap, Google Maps for location. Book bus tickets via Vexere, boat tickets to Ba Be Lake via Klook. Follow the weather on AccuWeather to avoid storms.
Tip: Book your tour 1-2 months in advance to get a 10-30% discount. Check the cancellation policy (free 30 days in advance, 50-100% if cancelled within 7-21 days). Bring a backpack instead of a hard suitcase because it is a mountain tour.
Detailed itinerary for Cao Bang tour 3 days 2 nights
Day 1: Hanoi – Cao Bang – Pac Bo – Lenin Stream
6:00: Car and tour guide pick you up at Hanoi Opera House or the Old Quarter (Hung Yen: 6:45, Hai Duong: 7:15). Depart via Hanoi - Lang Son - Cao Bang highway, stop at Thai Nguyen station for breakfast (VND 30,000-50,000/portion). On the way, admire famous mountain passes such as Deo Giang and Deo Gio.
12:00: Lunch at a local restaurant on Deo Gio (120,000 VND/meal) with specialties of sticky rice with canarium fruit and Cao Bang rice rolls. Continue the journey through Khau Khang Pass and Cao Bac Pass.
15:00: Arrive at Pac Bo (50km from Cao Bang City), visit the historical site - where Uncle Ho lived and worked from 1941-1945. Take photos at Lenin Stream, Karl Marx Mountain, Coc Bo Cave, and the Ho Chi Minh Road Km0 milestone (ticket 40,000 VND/person, electric car 15,000 VND/trip).
18:30: Return to Cao Bang City, check in at Sunny Hotel (600,000 VND/night). Dinner at Kim Dong Restaurant (150,000 VND/meal) with roasted suckling pig, ant egg cake. Freely explore Cao Bang City at night, enjoy chestnuts (50,000 VND/kg) or coffee at The 1995 Coffee (40,000-60,000 VND/cup). Overnight at the hotel.
Tip: Book a dinner table via the restaurant hotline (0978 123 456) to avoid running out of seats. Wear non-slip shoes when visiting Lenin Stream. Book a Pac Bo tour via Antamtour to get a 10% discount.
Day 2: Ban Gioc Waterfall – Nguom Ngao Cave – Truc Lam Phat Tich Pagoda
6:30: Have breakfast at the hotel (beef noodle soup, 40,000 VND/portion). Check out, depart for Chongqing (1 hour, 50km) via Ma Phuc Pass - a famous route with majestic mountain scenery.
8:30: Visit Ban Gioc Waterfall - the 4th largest waterfall in the world, located on the Vietnam - China border. Watch the white water pouring from a height of 30m, take photos on the green grass (ticket 45,000 VND/person). Optional bamboo rafting near the foot of the waterfall (50,000 VND/person).
10:30: Visit Nguom Ngao Cave - a 300 million year old limestone cave with magical stalactites (ticket 45,000 VND/person). Discover Tay ethnic legends about Tiger Cave.
11:30: Lunch at a restaurant near Ban Gioc Waterfall (150,000 VND/meal) with grilled stream fish and local pork. Visit Truc Lam Ban Gioc Buddhist Pagoda (500m from the waterfall, free), enjoy the panoramic view of the waterfall from above.
14:00: Depart for Bac Kan (3 hours, 130km). Check in at Pac Ngoi village homestay (300,000 VND/night). Dinner (120,000 VND/meal) with hill chicken, wild bamboo shoots. Free to join campfire, Then singing (100,000 VND/person, book through Smile Travel). Overnight at homestay.
Day 3: Ba Be Lake – Pac Ngoi Village – Return to Hanoi
6:30: Wake up early to watch the sunrise at Ba Be Lake - the most beautiful freshwater lake in Vietnam. Have breakfast at the homestay (chicken pho, 40,000 VND/portion). Take a dugout canoe to explore Ba Be Lake (boat ticket 100,000 VND/person), visit An Ma Temple, Ao Tien, Ba Goa Island, and Dau Dang Waterfall. Learn about the Tay ethnic culture at Pac Ngoi village.
11:30: Lunch at Cho Ra restaurant (120,000 VND/meal). Check out of homestay, get on bus back to Hanoi (4-5 hours). Stop in Bac Kan to buy specialties such as banh gio and chestnut jam (50,000-100,000 VND/box).
17:30: Arrive in Hanoi, tour guide says goodbye to the group at the Opera House. End of tour.
Tip: Book your Ba Be Lake boat ticket through Klook to get 5% off. Check your luggage before leaving the homestay. Contact Smile Travel (0369 461 186) if you need urgent assistance.
Compare package tours and self-guided tours
Choosing a package tour or a self-guided tour depends on your needs and experience. Below is a comparison table:
| Form | Cost (VND/person) | Preparation time | Advantage | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package tour | 2.39-4.5 million | 1-2 weeks | Save time, tour guide support, including car, hotel, food | Fixed schedule, little flexibility |
| Self-sufficient | 2-3 million | 1-2 months | Flexible, free to choose destination, more economical | Time consuming planning, weather risks, booking services |
Tips for choosing: Package tours are suitable for beginners, families, or businesses that need team building. Self-sufficient travel is ideal for young people who like to travel, but you need to book tickets through Vexere and check the motorbike carefully before going.
Tips to save money when traveling to Cao Bang
To optimize your budget, apply the following tips:
Choose a homestay: Stay at Pac Ngoi village (VND 300,000-500,000/night) instead of a 3-star hotel to save 40%. Book through Traveloka.
Eat at local restaurants: Enjoy banh cuon and xoi cana at Cao Bang market (50,000-100,000 VND/serving) instead of restaurants (120,000-200,000 VND/serving).
Travel economically: Rent a motorbike (100,000 VND/day) instead of an electric car (1,200,000 VND/car) if traveling in a small group. Walk in Pac Bo to save on electric car fees.
Join a group tour: Ba Be Lake Tour (500,000 VND/person) including boat, lunch, cheaper than renting a boat yourself (1,500,000 VND/trip).
Note: Traveling in low season (September-March) saves 20-30%. Bring enough cash because ATMs are limited. Contact your tour guide if you are stuck due to a storm (incurred costs of about 400,000 VND/day).
Frequently asked questions about Cao Bang 3 days 2 nights tour
1. What is the ideal time to travel to Cao Bang?
April-July is ideal, cool weather, little rain. Avoid June-August due to risk of storms. Book a tour every Friday to fit your schedule.
2. How much does a 3-day, 2-night trip to Cao Bang cost?
Package from 2.39-4.5 million VND/person, including car, hotel, food. Self-sufficient about 2-3 million VND, but need to book the service yourself.
3. Is the tour suitable for families with young children?
Yes, children under 5 years old are free (sleeping with parents), 5-9 years old get 50-75% discount on tour price. Places like Ba Be Lake and Ban Gioc Waterfall are safe for families.
5. Are there any outstanding activities besides sightseeing?
Rowing dugout canoes on Ba Be Lake, rafting on Ban Gioc Waterfall, trekking Nguom Ngao Cave, and enjoying specialties such as sticky rice with canarium and ant egg cakes. The Tay cultural night at Pac Ngoi village (100,000 VND/person) is also worth a try.
Conclusion: Discover Cao Bang with a memorable 3-day, 2-night tour
Cao Bang 3 days 2 nights tour from Hanoi is an ideal journey to explore Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ba Be Lake, Pac Bo, and experience the culture of Tay and Nung ethnic groups. With a detailed itinerary, specific costs, and 2025 saving tips, you can easily enjoy the Northeast region without worrying about exceeding your budget.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/lich-trinh-du-lich-cao-bang-3-ngay-2-dem-tu-ga-mo-thanh-phuot-thu-cao-bang-3298091.html
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