Cao Bang Loop Tour: Off The Beaten Experience in 4 Days

1. Bus From Ha Noi to Cao Bang :

• Limosine day Bus :

Morning:  6h00 Am; 7h00 Am; 9h00 Am; 10h00 Am.

Afternoon: 12h00 Pm; 13h00 Pm; 14h00 Pm; 15h00 Pm; 16h00 Pm.

• Night Bus: 18h00 Pm; 19h00 Pm; 20h00 Pm; 21h00 Pm.

2. Bus From Ninh Binh to Cao Bang :

Night Bus: 17h00 Pm

Settle into a private reclining bed or cabin in the modern sleeper bus. The bed is soft and comfortable enough, with air-conditioning, pillow, blanket, plugs, and soft lighting creating a surprisingly restful atmosphere. Once arriving, the bus will take you to Cao Bang City at Cao Bang Loop Hostel.

Begin your adventure with breakfast at the hostel in Cao Bang City. At 9:30 AM, meet your local guide, go over the route, and get ready to hit the road — either by motorbike or car.

Your first stops are Phia Thap and Phuc Sen, two small villages famous for traditional incense-making. Watch how locals handcraft incense sticks using age-old techniques, and learn about the Nung and Tay communities who’ve kept this tradition alive for generations.

Continue the loop with a drive through Ha Lang, a rural area known for its peaceful landscapes and authentic local life. This stretch of the journey gives you a real sense of how remote and untouched this region still is.

Take a short detour to explore Nguom Ngao Cave — an underground limestone wonder filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. The cave stays cool year-round and is a great mid-day break from the sun.

 Visit Ban Gioc Waterfall, a roaring cascade stretching across the Vietnam–China border. You’ll have time to explore the area, take photos, or hop on a bamboo raft that floats right up to the misty base of the falls.

Afterthat, arrive at your homestay in the late afternoon. Settle in with a local family, enjoy some quiet time, and join a homemade dinner with local dishes. Expect warm hospitality and a relaxed night in the countryside.

After breakfast, leave Ban Gioc behind and head into Ngoc Con and Phong Nam — two postcard-perfect valleys dotted with rice paddies and stilt houses. These remote spots show a softer side of northern Vietnam, far from busy cities.

Stop at Nui Thung, also known as Angel Eye Mountain. This unusual circular hole in the limestone cliff makes for great photos — especially with water buffalo grazing nearby.

End the day in Pac Bo Village, a place deeply connected to Vietnamese history. You’ll stay in a homestay near the Le Nin River, named after Lenin, where Ho Chi Minh once lived and worked during Vietnam’s independence struggle. Dinner is served at the homestay.

After breakfast at the homestay, begin the day with a visit to Pac Bo Cave and a walk along the Le Nin River. This peaceful riverside spot once served as a base for Ho Chi Minh during Vietnam’s revolutionary period. While the site is small, it’s a meaningful glimpse into the country's modern history — complete with a short hike, a memorial house, and calm natural surroundings.

Leave Pac Bo and continue your journey through the rugged landscapes of Cao Bang. As you cross Na Tenh Pass, expect wide views of forested hills, winding roads, and very little traffic — perfect for travelers who want to feel the remoteness of northern Vietnam.

Next is Khau Coc Cha, one of the most dramatic passes of the Cao Bang Loop. The road zigzags tightly down the mountain, revealing sweeping views over terraced hillsides and narrow valleys. It’s a favorite among photographers and easily one of the most scenic sections of the tour — especially on a motorbike.

Arrive in either Khuoi Khon Village (home of the Lo Lo people) or Kha Rao Village (a Tay ethnic area), depending on your group and route. These villages are small, quiet, and far off the tourist trail. Your host family will welcome you into their home, where you’ll learn about their daily life, from traditional farming to cooking. Dinner is shared at the homestay — simple, local food, often with ingredients grown right in the village.

Enjoy a peaceful breakfast before saying goodbye to your hosts and hitting the road again. This final day of the loop takes you through more remote parts of Cao Bang Province, starting with the lesser-known Lung Pan Village — a quiet stop surrounded by forested hills.

Climb to the Z Pass (local viewpoint name may vary), which offers a final chance to take in panoramic views of the countryside. It’s a great photo stop and gives one last taste of the area’s rugged, natural beauty.

Cruise through Nguyen Binh, one of the larger towns along the loop route. It’s a good place to grab a snack or coffee before continuing the last leg back toward Cao Bang City.

Return to the Cao Bang Loop Hostel between 4:30–5:00 PM. Check in, shower, and enjoy a relaxed early dinner at 6:30 PM — your final meal of the tour.

At around 8:00 PM, the sleeper bus picks you up from the hostel for the overnight journey back to Hanoi. After four days of winding mountain roads, ethnic villages, and hidden landscapes, you’ll end your Cao Bang Loop tour with memories of a quieter, more authentic side of Vietnam.