Cao Bằng City: Culture and history along the Sông Bằng

Located along the Sông Bằng, Cao Bằng is also a lively development hub. The city brings together a range of cultural destinations: a 17th-century pagoda, memorial sites and a monument in the center stand alongside a pedestrian zone being developed as a cultural destination. Phở Chua and Bánh Cuốn are also among the northern Vietnamese specialties available in Cao Bằng. This makes it possible to consider the city’s history, local food culture and excursion plans together when choosing a destination.

Pagoda, memorial sites and city history

The Phố-Cũ Pagoda was built during the Lê period, in 1679, as Quan Đế Miếu. On December 31, 2002, the provincial government recognized it as a historical and cultural monument. The date and former name place the pagoda in its historical context; the recognition marks its importance as cultural heritage.

The Hoàng Đình Giong Memorial Site comprises landscaped grounds, a statue and a memorial house. It commemorates Hoàng Đình Giong, one of Cao Bằng’s first communist party members and a leading co-founder of the local party organization. The Hồ Chí Minh Monument is also located in the center of Cao Bằng; it is a cultural work of political, historical and humanistic significance. These places emphasize different aspects: one memorial site focuses on Hoàng Đình Giong’s historical role, while the monument brings together political, historical and humanistic significance.

Pedestrian zone and regional cuisine

A program of quarterly cultural gatherings with local associations, youth groups and residents was presented for Kim Đồng Pedestrian Street in November 2025. At the same time, the street is being developed as a cultural destination for residents and visitors. This gives the place a different role from the historical memorial sites: community gatherings are the focus here. Specialties available in Cao Bằng include Phở Chua and Bánh Cuốn. Visitors who would also like to explore the city’s cuisine during their stay can therefore find specific local dishes rather than only general guidance on food.

Excursion routes and destinations beyond the center

The fourth excursion route of the Non nước Cao Bằng Geopark connects Cao Bằng with Thạch An and Quảng Hòa. Its listed locations in the city include the Geopark Information Center, the Fossil Lake in the Sông Hiến urban district and the Chu Trinh gabro iron ore mine. The route thus brings together a variety of themes: orientation in the geopark, a lake associated with fossils and geological heritage. Its description concerns the route, not a current transport or operating schedule.

“Khám phá Tam Giang” is also designed as a two-hour route concept. The route passes the Hồ Chí Minh Monument, the national memorial site for Hoàng Đình Giong, the square of the provincial administrative center, the Kỳ Sầm Monument in Vĩnh Quang, the Cao Bằng food market and Kim Đồng Pedestrian Street. This is a compact thematic link between named places in the city. Two other city routes, “Thành Mục Mạ về đêm” and “Dấu ấn lịch sử,” were each listed as lasting two hours in September 2024; at that time, all three experience and discovery tours were still in development.

Outside the city center, in Hòa An, is Kỳ Sầm Temple. It is 5 km from the center via Pác Bó Road. A festival with traditional games and performances takes place there annually on the tenth day of the first lunar month. These include throwing Còn balls, wrestling, martial arts and football, as well as lion, dragon and Qilin dances. Its annual date in the lunar calendar distinguishes a visit to this festival from the inner-city cultural sites and the city routes described above.

Choosing the right base

The different locations may help you choose a holiday rental: the pagoda, memorial sites and monument are in Cao Bằng, while Kỳ Sầm Temple is outside the center in Hòa An. If your trip focuses mainly on city history and cultural sites, you can factor these interests into your choice of location. If you would also like to include the festival at the temple, take its location and the date in the first lunar month into account. The “Khám phá Tam Giang” route also offers a specific list of city locations around which to plan a culture-focused stay.

For the broader travel overview: Cao Bằng.