Cao Bang (VNS/VNA) - Non Nuoc Cao Bang GlobalGeopark is an exceptional area in which it is possible to explore thehistory of the Earth for more than 500 million years. It’s also a land oftangible and intangible cultural heritage sites. 

"Nang ve nuoi cai cung con
De anh di tray Nuoc non Cao Bang”

(Go back home and take care of our children andour mother
Let me go and have a venture in the majesticnature of Cao Bang)

This popular Vietnamese folk song explainsthat Cao Bang is a magnificent land filled with attractions. One suchmystical place is Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark, one of themost impressive attractions of the province, which has been recognised asa UNESCO global geopark, the second of its kind in Vietnam.

Located in the north of Vietnam, 300km fromHanoi, Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark covers 3,000sq.km. It covers sixdistricts of Ha Quang, Tra Linh, Quang Yen, Trung Khanh, Ha Lang, Phuc Hoa, andpart of Hoa An, Nguyen Binh and Thach An districts. The geopark is home tonine ethnic groups including Tay, Nung, Mong, Dao and San Chay.

The geopark is an exceptional territorywhich offers insights into the history of our planet across more than 500million years through protected sites. Fossils, marine sediment, volcanic andplutonic rocks and minerals are witness to the remarkable evolution and changesof our planet, and they constitute an exceptional geological heritage.

It is also a land of tangible and intangiblecultural heritage sites and special historical monuments. The area is alsowell-known for its high biological diversity with abundant endemic plant andanimal species and ecosystems.

There are three main routes to explore thegeopark, including going to the east to experience traditional cultures, northto see history and freedom, and west to experience Phia Oac, themountain of transformations.

Wonderland to the east

The path to the route east is winding with oneside green limestone mountains, and the other an abyss covered by white mist.Little wild flowers in many colours in the wind, fresh cool air, yellowsunlight, imposing scenes, and ethnic Tay girls in black costumes workinghappily in the rice fields created a painting of a peaceful rural life,harmoniously blended with nature. Ma Phuc Pass was the first site on the route.

Located in Cao Xuyen cillage, Quoc Toan commune,Tra Linh district, more than 3.5km long at an altitude of 700m above sea level,the pass is one of the most beautiful in Cao Bang.

Tran Van Tan, Director of the Institute ofGeosciences and Natural Resources under the Ministry of Environment and NaturalResources, said the pass winds between two high limestone mountain ranges andconstitutes, at its bottom, an exceptional geosite. Here, in contact withlimestone (white rock) can be seen a blackish green rock with rounded shape –the so-called pillow basalt.

“Besides the exceptional geological interest, MaPhuc is also a place of intangible heritage,” said Chu Thi Vinh, ViceChairwoman of the Tra Linh District People’s Committee.

“According to legend, in the 11th century,a leader of the Nung people named Nung Tri Cao led local people to fightagainst the Chinese Song army from the north. Once returning from a patrolalong the border, at Quoc Toan commune of present day Tra Linh district, hefaced this high, winding and steep pass, and his horse was crippled and couldnot continue. The mountain was since named An Lai, literally meaning to stop,and the pass was named Ma Phuc, literally meaning a kneeling horse,” Vinh said.

Leaving Ma Phuc Pass, visitors can travel toAngel Eye Mountain in Quoc Toan commune, Tra Linh district.

Angel Eye Mountain or Phia Piot in Taylanguage means a mountain with a through-going hole, which is 50m in diameter and50m above the lake.

After a walk of about 15 minutes, wesaw Tay people in Ban Danh hamlet with stilt houses, yin and yang tiledroofs, stone fences, paddy fields of rice and maize, water buffaloes and cows,and the surrounding green and mature karst landscape. This helped us relax andrecover from our daily stresses.

At the end of the route going to the east, wereached Ban Gioc Waterfall, a must-see place in Cao Bang.

Located on the Quay Sơn River at Dam Thuycommune, Trung Khanh district, Ban Gioc Waterfall is the fourth largestwaterfall in the world at an international border, after Iguazu Falls betweenBrazil and Argentina, Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe, andNiagara Falls between the US and Canada.

Tran Thi Xuan Quynh, member of the managementboard of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, said Ban Gioc Fallis approximately 300 wide and 35m high, with three cascades. It runsbetween Vietnam and China. 

Lots of foreign visitors have come here, alongwith locals.

“I’ve heard about Ban Gioc Waterfall, but it’smore amazing to witness with my eyes,” said Guy Martini from Italy.

“It’s great to see thick forest covering both upand downstream with frothy water, and lively human activities here. It bringsme an unforgettable experience,” he said.

Historical experience to the north

From Cao Bang city, heading to the north,passing vast fragrant paddy rice fields which were in harvest time, touristscan visit historical sites that tell of the revolutionary life of President HoChi Minh after he came back to Vietnam on January 28, 1941.

The jade tranquil Lenin Stream which softly andpeacefully meanders at the foot of the rampart – like Karl Marx Mountain, isworth a visit.

Crossing a small bridge, walking 15 minutes andthen climbing up for about 50 steps, both natural and artificial, we reachedCoc Bo Cave, President Ho Chi Minh's shelter during his time in Pac Bo.

The small, almost dry and quiet reserve, thoughstill having a second entrance, was badly damaged during the border war withChina and has been partly restored. The stone bed where President Ho ChiMinh used to sleep is still there. I wondered how could he live such asimple and sparse, yet still optimistic and heroic life.

Nguyen Hai Long, 19, from Hanoi had the samefeeling. “This is the first time I have visited Cao Bang. Although the wayfrom Hanoi to the province is so hard, I don’t regret my decision, especiallywhen I visited Lenin Stream, Karl Marx Mountain and Coc Bo Cave where PresidentHo Chi Minh lived and worked. I admire him so much,” Long said.

Mountain of transformations to the west

After recovering with some local food and a goodsleep, tourists should head west on the next day to experience Phia Oac,the mountain of transformations.

The route was a highlight, with manyattractive sights including Phai Khat Post, beewax brocade by Dao Tien people,Phia Den salmon farm, Ban O and Lung Muoi tungsten mines, Phia Oac-Phia DenNational Park, Tran Hung Dao Forest Special National Monument, and Kolia tea farm.

Ly Thi Thu Thuy, a tourist guide, saidevidences of many processes and events that have contributed to the area’stransformations are showed clearly through volcanic activities, changes inclimate, ecosystems and biodiversity with altitude, and especially changesrelated to the legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap and his army in the early yearsof the August Revolution in 1945.

“Among those, Tran Hung Dao Forest is ahighlight. A primitive forest covering more than 200ha, it is the place wherethe Vietnam Liberation Army was established on December 22, 1944 (the precursorto the present Vietnam People’s Army).

“This is a living museum of space and time, asit preserves places and objects that are related to a very important historicalperiod of Vietnam's revolution. It is closely associated with the life andactivities of General Vo Nguyen Giap, who was the outstanding protégé ofPresident Ho Chi Minh, and the Great Brother of the Vietnam People’s Army.

“This is also an ideal place for ecotourism andresearch,” Thuy added.

Kolia tea farm is another highlight for theroute to the west. Located in the western route of Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCOGlobal Geopark, Kolia tea farm is an active geopark partner.

Phia Den in Nguyen Binh district is consideredheaven as it is 1,300m above sea level. We took lots of pictures here withmajestic mountains and forest, full of sunshine and floating white clouds.

Phia Den tea is the farm’s speciality. Theproduction follows a clean model, which not only helps the ecosystem, but alsocreates jobs for local people. It’s sold widely in local and internationalmarkets, even in China.

Promotion strengthening

To make best use of the advantages of CaoBang, the management board of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark focuseson communication and promotion activities to raise awareness ofcommunities in the area; signing deals with the Institute of Geo-sciences andMineral Resources, and international experts on the development of the geopark;and strengthening international co-operation with other UNESCO global geoparksto introduce Cao Bang to the world.

Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’sCommittee Nguyen Trung Thao said that last year, the province welcomed morethan 1.2 million visitors, which brought the province a turnover fromtourism of 400 billion VND (17.3 million USD).

This is a good sign but the provincealso plans to invest in transportation infrastructure, strengthen bordertrade, and develop tourism as the province’s key industry.

The three experience routes give visitors achance to explore the geopark, as well as local people here. Each of theseroutes can be visited, with a guide, and will leave a unique and unforgettableexperience./.