2019 was considered a successful year for Cao Bang’s tourism sector, welcomed a record 1.5 million tourists, a year-on-year rise of 30%, inwhich international visitors increased by 54.5% over the previous year. The local tourism industry grossed $20.4 million in revenue, increased by 30% compared to 2018, by 150% compared to 2017.
In 2020, Cao Bang tourism strives to complete the master plan for Cao Bang tourism development in the 2020-2025 period, with a vision to 2035: Continue to invest in exploiting the potential of 03 key tourist routes, maximizing the advantages and natural landscapes, the values of geological and outstanding cultural heritage of the Geopark.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Sam Viet An, Cao Bang has the opportunity to develop various kinds of tourism such as cultural tourism, spiritual tourism, adventure tourism, ecological tourism, geological tourism. The province is exerting efforts to reform administrative procedures and to help businesses to invest in tourism infrastructure development. Local authorities proposed the Government enact a special mechanism for the province to promote tourism cooperation with foreign businesses and enable more international tourists to visit border tourism areas, he added.
Potential in Nature
Located in the northeastern region of the country, Cao Bang is endowed with breathtaking natural scenery, including majestic mountain ranges and beautiful terraced fields.
In 2018, Non Nuoc Cao Bang received the global geopark status from UNESCO, while Ban Gioc waterfall tourism site was approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to become a national key tourist attraction.
Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark
on Nuoc Cao Bang was established in 2015. It is the second UNESCO-recognised Global Geopark in Vietnam after Dong Van Karst Plateau, which was accredited in 2010. The park is also the eighth of its kind in Southeast Asia to receive the status.
The geopark is an exceptional territory which offers insights into the history of our planet across more than 500 million years through protected sites. Fossils, marine sediment, volcanic and plutonic rocks and minerals are witness to the remarkable evolution and changes of our planet, and they constitute an exceptional geological heritage.
It is also a land of tangible and intangible cultural heritage sites and special historical monuments. The area is also well-known for its high biological diversity with abundant endemic plant and animal species and ecosystems.
There are three main routes to explore Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark, including going to the east to experience traditional cultures, north to see history and freedom, and west to experience Phia Oac, the mountain of transformations.
The Eastern route – Experience traditional cultures in wonder land:
Including the Pillow Bazal in Ma Phuc pass; Angel mountain eye; Phia Thap incense and Pac rang forging villages, Khuoi Ky stone village; Nguom Ngao cave, and Ban Gioc waterfall.
Historical experience to the north:
Including Lenin Stream, Karl Marx Mountain, Coc Bo Cave, President Ho Chi Minh’s shelter during his time in Pac Bo.
The Western route – Experience Phia Oac – The Mountain of transformation
Including the Lang Mon fossil, Dao Tien embroidery factory, Tran Hung Dao National special historical site, Dragon back panorama, Tinh Tuc tin mine, Lung Muoi Tungsten mine, Phia Oac Panorama, Salmon and sturgeon farm in Phja Den, Ban O and French Villa, and Kolia tea farm.
Promotion strengthening
To make the best use of the advantages of Cao Bang, the management board of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark focuses on:
- Communication and promotion activities to raise awareness of communities in the area;
- Cooperation with the Institute of Geo-sciences and Mineral Resources, and international experts;
- International cooperation with other UNESCO global geoparks to introduce Cao Bang to the world
