Buses and minibuses leave frequently in the morning for the various bus stations in Hanoi (70,000 dong), about 7 hours away...

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

There are two fruit and vegetable markets on the western side of the river...

ask your driver to take you to Nguom Ngao before or after Ban Gioc. This immense cave holds a series of majestic, jaw-dropping caverns...

this breathtaking waterfall, the largest in Vietnam, straddles the China-Vietnam border. The water is particularly thunderous in the wet season but is still beautiful during the dry..

surrounded by mountains, this serene lake is at its best in the rainy season. During the dry season the lake shrinks and is not as impressive...

Cao Bằng is easily navigated on foot, but xe ôm (motorbike taxis) are convenient and cheap...

There are no rail connections, making buses the most convenient way to get to Cao Bằng...

Area: 6,690.7 sq. km. Population: 514,600 habitants (2005) Capital: Cao Bang Town. Districts: Bao Lac, Bao Lam, Ha Quang, Thong Nong, Tra Linh, Trung Khanh, Nguyen Binh, Hoa An, Phuc Hoa, Quang Uyen, Ha Lang, Thach An. Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Tay, Nung, Dao, H'Mong, San Chay...