Traveling from Hanoi to Lang Son is now only about 2.5 hours, suitable for weekends or short trips during the holidays.
Lang Son is a suitable journey for tourists who want to have different destination experiences from familiar places near Hanoi. From Hanoi, follow Bac Giang highway, only about 2 and a half hours, visitors will reach Lang Son city.
The journey was made by Ms. Huyen Trang, living in Ho Chi Minh City, according to the reference schedule from friends and the website of the Lang Son Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Mr. Viet Hung, representative of a travel company with tours. from Hanoi to Lang Son. In addition, Ms. Trang’s Bang Tuong tour was conducted by Mr. Pham Xuan Tan, a local guide with 21 years of experience.
Day 1
Morning
Have breakfast with sour pho , a typical dish of Lang. Although it is called pho, the form and preparation of this dish is not like traditional pho. The main difference is the cool sweet and sour sauce instead of hot broth and the way it is eaten like salad dressing. Some addresses that have this dish in the city center: Phuong Thao (Hoang Van Thu street), Lan Hong (Luong Van Chi street) and pho restaurants on Le Lai street, Bac Son.
After that, visit must-visit places in Lang Son such as Tam Thanh cave, To Thi mountain, and Mac citadel, all located right in the city center. “These destinations are close together so tourists can go all in one day,” Mr. Hung said.
Tam Thanh pagoda and cave are located in the complex of scenic and historical relics of Lang country. Tam Thanh Cave has layers of stalactites with diverse shapes. In the cave there is Tam Thanh Pagoda (Thanh Thien Pagoda), the pagoda is a place of worship of Taoism, worshiping Tam Thanh (Ngoc Thanh, Thuong Thanh, Thai Thanh) so it is called Tam Thanh Pagoda.
“If tourists come here during the Tet holiday, note that it will be quite crowded because on each occasion, the pagoda attracts a large number of visitors to visit and pray for good luck,” Mr. Hung added.
In the same area of Tam Thanh ward, there is also To Thi mountain , on top of which there is a natural rock that resembles the image of a woman holding a child looking into the distance. The mountain is related to the legend of Vong Phu stone. The citadel of the Mac Dynasty is also recently ranked as a national historical relic. The remaining vestiges of the citadel today include two sections of wall 300 m long, the citadel face is about 1 m wide. From the foot of the mountain leading up to the city gate, there are more than 100 steps.
In addition to roasted duck pho, Lang Son also has many typical dishes that tourists should enjoy for lunch such as stone snails, egg rolls, and scallops. These dishes are available in many places in the city. You can also stop by any restaurant on the way or ask the hotel receptionist.
Afternoon
Arrive at Dong Lam steppe in Huu Lien commune, Huu Lung district, about 25 km from Lang Son city. This is a destination for tourists who like to take photos and became famous about 5 years ago.
“Dong Lam is most beautiful before the rainy season, usually from March to May when the water has not yet risen, revealing the green peninsulas. Trees at this time are also budding, full of vitality, and the weather is cool,” Mr. Hung said. Recently, tourists are not allowed to drive cars deep into the valley but often have to walk or hire people to transport motorbikes to protect the area’s ecosystem.
Return to the city around 6pm and have dinner. A suggestion for visitors is to enjoy a hot hot pot. There are many types of hot pot at restaurants such as Thao Vien (Phai Ve street), Ku Suu snail hot pot (Phung Chi Kien street), Tam Thanh (Tran Hung Dao street, in Four Points by Sheraton Lang Son hotel or conveniently from Dong Lam returned to the city to visit Goc Da restaurant.
Evening
Overnight at Four Points by Sheraton Lang Son hotel on Tran Hung Dao street, city center, with panoramic views of surrounding mountain peaks and Ky Cung river. Room price from 1.5 million VND per night for 2 people. The hotel also has a swimming pool, gym, and massage therapy.
Lobby bar.
Deluxe Twin Room at Four Points by Sheraton Lang Son Hotel.
Lounge 1509, 6th floor Four Points by Sheraton Lang Son hotel.
In the evening, visitors can go to Lounge 1509 located on the 6th floor to enjoy a variety of special cocktails and mocktails. Guests can also choose the Lobby Bar to chat with friends and sip drinks such as tea, cakes, and fruit juice made on the spot. These entertainment areas are open until midnight.
Tourists can also choose to stay at hotels on Le Loi Street, October 17, Tran Dang Ninh, Tam Thanh, Nhi Thanh, Ben Bac.
Day 2
On the morning of the second day, have breakfast at the hotel and have coffee at Terrace Cafe on the first floor to relax in the morning. Don’t forget to try roasted duck pho, a typical dish of Lang Son that almost every tourist coming here tries, with rich, fragrant broth, hand-sliced noodles, served with chopped roasted duck and pickled bamboo shoots. Spicy, especially when it’s still hot.
Wait for the travel company’s tour bus to take you to Huu Nghi border gate to Bang Tuong. This is a place located in Guangxi province (China), bordering Lang Son, about 18 km from the city center. Arriving at the entry gate, tourists walk to Bang Tuong and there is a shuttle bus.
Here, visitors will see kilometer 0, which marks the Vietnam – China boundary, the starting point of National Highway 1A connecting to the southern tip of Ca Mau cape. The Friendship Gate has a French architectural style and was previously used by the French as an agency to control the movement of citizens of the two countries. Today this place is a popular check-in point for Vietnamese tourists when coming to Bang Tuong.
Ms. Trang said she chose a day tour from Lang Son to Bang Tuong and vice versa, costing 1.2 million VND per person including transportation, meals, and travel document fees. The terms and conditions on the travel document are subject to change from time to time, so visitors should check the regulations before traveling.
This tour does not require a passport or visa, just a citizen ID card to make travel documents. On a day tour, visitors walk around the oriental-style old town and shop.
In Bang Tuong, the main destinations include shopping centers and supermarkets, Phong Tinh street, which is considered a food and drink paradise. Popular dishes include grilled milk tea, chicken wings with sticky rice, chicken thighs, dumplings, and cakes.
Note, with this tour, visitors can also apply for a passport and travel on their own. Need to time it to return to Vietnam before 8pm, otherwise tourists will have trouble because the original passport only allows travel during the day. When going to Bang Tuong, you will not be able to use Facebook and some other social networks. Chinese time is one hour earlier than Vietnamese time.
Alternative choice
If you don’t go to Bang Tuong, you can choose to shop at markets like Tan Thanh and Dong Dang. If you are a person who likes to exercise, you should conquer Phia Po peak – known as the “roof” of Lang Son. Coming to Lang Son on a cold day, visitors can hunt clouds and snow at Mau Son peak.
($1~24,000 VND)
Photo,Video: Internet (Vinlove.net)