Cao Bang emerges as tourist hotspot with 47.7% arrival growth in H1
With its “simple, green, and friendly” vibe, Cao Bang is establishing itself as Vietnam’s most welcoming getaway, rocketing up the list of top spots in the northern mountains.
Cao Bang (VNA) – Cao B💮ang, a rugged mountainous province in nor🐲thern Vietnam, is emerging as a tourist hotspot, pulling in 1.52 million visitors in the first half of 2025, a 47.7% jump year-over-year, hitting 60.8% of its full-year target.
Foreign tourist arrivals soared 176.8% to nearly 58,000, while there were 1.46 million domestic travelers, up 44.3%. The visitor boom pumped 1.543 trillion VND (64 million USD) into the local economy, nearly doubling last year’s haul and hitting 77.1% of the annual target. Hotels and guesthouses were buzzing, with a solid 55% occupancy rate.
Ngo Quang Tu, head of the tourism management division at the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, says it is all thanks to a full-throttle plan kicked off early this year. Cao Bang went big with ad blitzes in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and threw lively cultural festivals that had crowds hooked on its vibrant traditions.
The province is also riding the digital wave, using TikTok and Facebook to flaunt its jaw-dropping landscapes and rich heritage to fans worldwide.
Cash has been poured into sprucing up the place, with new attractions like Nam Ngua and Bai Tinh hamlets in Thanh Long commune, the Dong Tam cultural village in Ly Quoc commune, and the scenic Ba Quang grass hill in Vinh Quy commune. Historic sites are getting a facelift too, including the stilt house and trail up to Bao Dong mountain in Duc Long commune, the 1950 Border Campaign command house, and ancient steles at Phai Tem mountain in Hoa An commune. Also worth exploring are the Tay ethnic village in Thach An, the challenging 15-level pass in Xuan Truong, and the stunning views along the Neo River in Bao Lac.
Ban Gioc Fall becomes an ideal tourist destination (Photo: VNA)
Cao Bang is fully leaning on its UNESCO-recognised Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark to offer one-of-a-kind experiences. The province is also partnering with neighbouring regions to host cultural and sports events, while doubling down on preserving its rich heritage. Local artisans and ethnic communities are getting a boost to keep traditions alive.
Plans for the rest of the year include the “Through Viet Bac Heritage Sites” programme, off-road motor racing events to get pulses racing, and training for tourism officials across 56 communes. A new provincial museum is also underway to seal Cao Bang’s status as a must-visit destination. With its “simple, green, and friendly” vibe, Cao Bang is making a name for itself as Vietnam’s most welcoming getaway, rocketing up the list of top spots in the northern mountains./.
The two sides should accelerate the construction of a "smart border gate" model to facilitate and improve the efficiency of customs clearance; promote technology transfer to apply smart and high technologies in growing fruit trees; promote and introduce specialty products, OCOP (one commune one product) products, and typical industrial products.
Demand for travel is rising, with a shift towards high-quality, experience-based tourism over mass-market, budget travel. To capitalise on this trend, the management board is launching initiatives to support 85 partner businesses and potential members of the geopark’s network.
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By source market, China continued to lead with 3.1 million visitors, equivalent to 25.5% of all foreign arrivals. The Republic of Korea followed with 2.5 million, or 20.7%. Other major markets included Taiwan (China) with 737,000, the US with 522,000, and Japan with 380,000.
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