In October, a cycling group of 30 people from Ho Chi Minh City conquered beautiful and challenging destinations in Cao Bang, such as Khau Coc Cha Pass with 14 “sleeve crabs”.
Mr. Huynh Quyet Thang (40 years old, in Ho Chi Minh City, red shirt) is a bicycle tour guide. In 2019, Mr. Thang went to Cao Bang by motorbike, but as a lover of exploring and experiencing by bicycle, this fall he decided to return to Cao Bang because of the beauty of this mountainous region.
“Cao Bang is not as majestic as Ha Giang nor as famous as Sa Pa or Mu Cang Chai, but Cao Bang has the harmonious beauty of mountains, rice fields, rivers and people,” Mr. Thang said. Besides, in recent years, Cao Bang has focused on developing tourism and improving infrastructure, so traveling, eating and sleeping is also more convenient than before.
Mr. Thang and his group’s journey lasted 5 days and 4 nights. The group flew to Hanoi from Ho Chi Minh City, moved to Bac Kan, then went to Cao Bang and Lang Son by car. Of these three destinations, he was most impressed with Cao Bang.
The cycling route in Cao Bang is about 125 km long, lasting 2 days. The Bao Lac – Cao Bang leg is 45 km of cycling and the Cao Bang – Ban Gioc leg is 80 km. In the photo is the road along the stream from Thong Hue to Trung Khanh in Thong Hue commune, Trung Khanh district.
One of the most beautiful but also difficult roads is through Khau Coc Cha pass, connecting Xuan Truong commune with Bao Lac town. In the Tay language, Khau is a pass, Coc Cha is the name of a tree that grows a lot on the top of the pass. The group must cycle on steep mountain passes of over 10%.
The pass is 2.5 km long and has 14 “sleeve crabs”, forming a dangerous slope. Previously, the pass was just a trail about 40 cm wide. From 2009 to 2011, Cao Bang widened the road surface to 5 m and covered it with concrete. Since then, the pass has become one of the 10 most dangerous passes in Vietnam, attracting many backpackers, according to the website of Cao Bang Cultural and Tourism Information Center.
“When reaching the top, due to rain, the trekking road to the viewpoint (photo) was slippery, only two strong members could climb to the top, while the whole group did not climb but continued cycling,” Mr. Thang said.
Lung Mat village, Xuan Truong Bao Lac commune, where Mong and Dao people grow mainly corn, is likened to miniature Switzerland with lush green grass surrounding the simple village.
Na Tenh Pass (Tay language means high field), in Can Nong commune, Ha Quang district, located near the border area, about 15 km from Khau Coc Tra pass. Mr. Thang’s group evaluates this as one of the most beautiful passes in Cao Bang, but it is also dangerous with many winding bends, interspersed with green terraced fields.
Keng Ma pass group, 1 km long, Trung Phuc commune, Trung Khanh district, about 7 km from Trung Khanh city center, on the way to Ban Gioc. This is a pass located on the inter-commune road in the area bordering Canh Tien and Trung Phuc communes, Trung Khanh district. The pass is located on a limestone area, but not too difficult to navigate like Na Tenh Pass.
The road from Cao Bang to Ban Gioc, located in Quang Uyen district. In October, in addition to the flag-blossoming corn plots, there are golden rice fields, waiting for the Tay and Nung people to harvest.
Ban Gioc Waterfall is over 70 m high, located in Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, and is a familiar stop for the group every time they organize a cycling trip in Cao Bang. This is the rainy season, so water flows from the Quay Son River continuously, creating spectacular white waterfalls. “Standing in front of the waterfall, I feel small,” Mr. Thang said.
Ma Phuc Pass, 3.5 km long, is the ending point of the 85 km cycle. The pass is located on Highway 3 in the border area of Hoa An and Quang Hoa districts. On both sides of the pass are two limestone blocks with steep citadels facing each other like two prostrate horses, from which the name of this 620 m high pass is formed. Cyclists must pass 7 steep turns to reach the top. On the pass is Coc Phat junction, where provincial road 205 begins to go to Tra Linh border gate of Trung Khanh district – a place of trade between Vietnam and China.
Ms. Dan Chuong, born in 1977, found Cao Bang strangely attractive, after going through arduous cycling stages with her teammates. She compared this cycling trip to a miracle, both conquering herself and reaching places “that seemed like paradise”. She hopes to return to Cao Bang soon to explore other destinations such as Pac Bo, Dung Mountain and Phong Nam.
Mr. Thang said that cycling is a way to travel slowly enough to feel everything, to connect with nature and people on the road you go through, and to exercise, understand yourself and love the scenery more. Vietnamese beauty and people.
With experiential travel by bicycle, participants need to have good physical strength, spirit, self-discipline and the will not to give up. Besides, you need to have perfect cycling technique and practice on steep mountain passes many times.
According to Mr. Thang, to organize a bicycle tour, careful preparation is required in terms of accommodation, logistics, and technology along the way. Usually, the group chooses to cycle on roads with beautiful scenery and is not too crowded and will get on a car to travel on roads that are not so beautiful. During the trip, there are trucks and cars to support those who want to rest if they feel tired, and to provide water, food and drinks along the way to replenish energy. The group also has someone specialized in bicycle repair techniques.
Photo,Video: Internet (Vinlove.net)