Overview
The Cao Bang Small Loop Tour is a 3-day journey through Northern Vietnam’s most scenic and culturally rich landscapes. Designed for travelers who want to explore both famous sights and hidden gems, this adventure includes natural wonders like Ban Gioc Waterfall, the unique Angel Eye Mountain, and the peaceful Phong Nam Valley. Whether you travel by motorbike with an easy rider or by car with a local driver, this small loop offers a compact yet immersive experience through remote villages, mountain passes, and authentic local culture.
Highlights
- Stand beneath the powerful Ban Gioc Waterfall at the Vietnam–China border
- Hike to the stunning Angel Eye Mountain, a dramatic hole-in-the-rock formation
- Explore traditional craft villages known for incense, paper, and blacksmithing
- Stay in cozy homestays with local families in stone-built ethnic villages
- Choose a car or motorbike option — all transport, meals, and accommodation are arranged for you
Itinerary
Start your day with breakfast at the hostel in Cao Bang city, where your guide will meet you and go over the plan for the loop tour.
Hop on your motorbike or into your private car and begin the loop. The first part of the drive takes you through quiet countryside roads toward local villages known for traditional crafts.
Your first stops are a trio of unique villages:
- Phia Thap, where families still hand-make incense sticks
- Dia Tren, home to a traditional paper-making craft preserved by the Nung ethnic group
- Pac Rang, a blacksmithing village famous for handmade knives and tools
It’s a relaxed drive with time to stop, meet locals, and learn about each craft firsthand.
Enjoy a hearty local meal at a well-known restaurant in Quang Uyen. This is a good time to refuel and take a short rest before continuing deeper into the loop.
Visit the Ba Quang grass hill (also called Vinh Quy hill), a wide-open green space perfect for walking and photography. It’s an unusual landscape, especially during the dry season when the grass turns golden.
One of Vietnam’s most famous waterfalls, Ban Gioc stretches across the border with China. Spend time here walking along the edge, taking photos, or just soaking up the power of the falls.
Stay overnight in a stilt house made entirely of stone, in the peaceful Khuoi Ky village near the waterfall. It’s a quiet place to unwind after a full day of travel.
Enjoy a traditional dinner cooked by your hosts, including local specialties and a glass of “happy water” (rice wine). After dinner, relax and sleep at the homestay.
Just a short distance from the breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall, this charming homestay offers an unforgettable stay surrounded by beautiful mountains and rice paddies. Enjoy a peaceful night in a room with comforts and traditional wooden accents that reflect the local culture. Wake up to the sound of flowing water and start your day with a homemade breakfast made from fresh, local ingredients. It’s the perfect base for exploring the natural wonders and cultural richness of Cao Bang.
Wake up in the cool mountain air and enjoy a simple breakfast with your host family. Then, pack up and continue the loop. Today’s route explores a mix of natural wonders and cultural stops.
This massive limestone cave is filled with stalactites, stone pillars, and echoing chambers. It’s considered one of the most beautiful caves in Vietnam and takes about 30–45 minutes to walk through.
Just a short drive away is Truc Lam Pagoda, built on a mountainside with views overlooking Ban Gioc and the surrounding valley. A short walk uphill rewards you with sweeping views of the border landscape.
Drive through Phong Nam, a lesser-known valley that feels straight out of a postcard. Few tourists visit here, but it’s one of the most stunning sections of the loop, with limestone peaks and rice fields scattered with grazing water buffalo.
Stop for lunch in this small town and take a break before heading to your next overnight stay.
Depending on weather and availability, you’ll stay either at a homestay near Angel Eye Mountain or a guesthouse in Hung Quoc. Dinner and breakfast are provided.
Nestled close to the majestic Angel Eye Mountain, this peaceful homestay offers a front-row seat to Cao Bang Global Geopark. Stay in a traditional wooden house with comfortable rooms, surrounded by emerald valleys, clear streams, and grazing buffalo. Each morning begins with a hearty homemade breakfast and breathtaking views. Ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and those seeking an off-the-beaten-path escape in northern Vietnam.
After breakfast, enjoy a peaceful morning at Angel Eye Mountain, part of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark. This giant circular rock arch surrounded by flat rice fields and karst mountains is a great spot to stretch your legs and take in the scenery.
Once back in the city, have a final lunch at a local restaurant and try one of the area’s specialties before saying goodbye to your guide.
Your Cao Bang Loop tour ends with a comfortable limousine bus ride back to Hanoi or onward to Ninh Binh or Hai Phong (Cat Ba), depending on your travel plan.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Round-trip sleeper night train or limousine day bus from Hanoi
- (Option to end the tour in Hanoi, Ha Giang, Ha Long, or Ninh Binh if preferred)
- English-speaking tour guide
- All meals as stated in the itinerary (local Vietnamese cuisine)
- Accommodation in shared dorm rooms and ethnic minority homestays
- Quality 110cc genuine motorcycle
- All fuel costs during the tour
- All entrance tickets and permits
- Helmet (full or half-face)
- Protective knee and elbow gear
- Basic rain gear
- Plastic cover for your bags
- Free dorm bed at our Cao Bang base for early arrivals before the tour starts
Cost Excludes
- Other meals and drinks not mentioned above
- Tips for guide and driver (optional but appreciated)
- Personal expenses
FAQs
Both options follow the exact same route and include the same highlights. The motorbike version is more adventurous and gives you an open-air view of the landscape, while the car option is more comfortable and better suited for those who prefer a relaxed ride, especially in cold or wet weather.
Yes, but only if you have a valid motorbike license from your home country along with an International Driving Permit (IDP). If you don’t meet this requirement, you are not allowed to drive yourself. In that case, you’ll ride as a passenger with one of our experienced easy riders. Contact us if you want to join as a self-rider — we’ll review your documents and confirm availability.
Most accommodations are local homestays or small guesthouses, offering a simple but authentic experience. While comfort and privacy can vary, we choose places based on positive feedback from past travelers. If you prefer a higher level of privacy or comfort, just let us know — we’re happy to customize the stay.
Yes, the tour includes short walks and light hikes, but nothing strenuous. If you prefer to skip certain activities like cave visits or hilltop pagodas, we can adjust the itinerary to fit your pace.
Some homestays offer private rooms, while others are more communal. If privacy is important to you, especially for couples or families, we can prioritize accommodations that offer private sleeping areas.
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