Cao Bằng to Lạng Sơn bus

Bus travel from Cao Bằng city to Lạng Sơn province

If you are an adventurous traveler like me, mr.hotsia, traveling by bus from Cao Bằng city to Lạng Sơn province in Vietnam is an experience not to be missed. This route is not just about moving locations but also about experiencing local life and the clearly changing atmosphere. Most importantly, it offers comfort and great value, which I personally use often.

This bus departs from the station in Cao Bằng city, a border town full of nature and tranquility. The journey takes about 3-4 hours depending on traffic and travel time. The route takes you through diverse landscapes including high mountains and wide rice fields. Riding the bus on this route allowed me to truly see the rural life of northern Vietnam, like opening a new world to my eyes and heart.

Arrived... Lạng Sơn, the city of roast duck and beautiful views from a high hotel

Upon arrivalLạng Sơn ProvinceThis is the capital city of Vietnamese roast duck, which I consider one of the most impressive destinations when traveling in northern Vietnam. Lạng Sơn has its own charm different from other cities, whether it’s the bustling morning market atmosphere or street food stalls where the aroma of roast duck wafts irresistibly.

I stayed at Hoang Son Hai Hotel, an 8-story hotel located in the city center that I highly recommend. Besides the affordable price of about 600 baht, it offers a very beautiful city view from the upper floors. From the top of the hotel, I could clearly see the lake and various streets of Lạng Sơn at night. If you want to know what the atmosphere is like, take a lookat my high-angle view of Lạng Sơn cityfor yourself.

Local dishes you must try: Lạng Sơn roast duck and raw egg soup

If you come to Lạng Sơn and don’t tryLạng Sơn roast duckyou’re seriously missing out. The roast duck here is unlike any other because it’s grilled until the skin is crispy but the meat remains juicy. The flavor is well-balanced without being greasy. Another thing that impressed me greatly is the use of Chinese star anise leaves, known as "Mắc mật," in the roast duck. It adds a unique flavor and aroma. These leaves are grown in southern China, northern Vietnam, and also in Nan province of Thailand.

Besides roast duck, I also discovered a delicious Vietnamese fried rice restaurant next to Hoang Son Hai Hotel. This place has signature dishes like fried rice and stir-fried noodles with flavors unlike anywhere else. My favorite dish on this trip wasraw egg soupwhere they remove the egg white, leaving only the yolk floating in a fragrant sweet broth. The taste is uniquely smooth and unlike anything I’ve ever had before. The yolk has no fishy smell at all. It’s a small delight that made this trip even more special for me.

Street life and markets in Lạng Sơn

Exploring the morning market and walking street in Lạng Sơn is another activity I, mr.hotsia, really enjoy. Here you can taste a variety of street foods, including Bún Cá (fish noodle soup) or fried fish noodles with water hyacinth, which are hard to find elsewhere. Other dishes reflect the truly local lifestyle. I like sitting and eating roast duck with fried rice near this market while watching people pass by. It’s a feeling you can’t buy anywhere else except by visiting yourself.

Tips for travelers interested in this route

If you plan to travel from Cao Bằng to Lạng Sơn, I recommend traveling early in the morning to have more time to explore the city and taste local food. Also, book a hotel with high floors to enjoy the city night view like I did atHoang Son Hai Hotelor other affordable hotels in the city with good service.

For those interested in seeing the full travel atmosphere and tasting local food, I have a videoCao Bằng to Lạng Sơn busfor you to watch. You’ll see real footage from my trip, the bus atmosphere, and the beautiful scenery along the way that truly matches traveling in northern Vietnam.

Summary

Traveling by bus from Cao Bằng to Lạng Sơn is not just about changing cities but a journey full of real experiences of local life and cuisine. Although it seems like an ordinary route, for me, mr.hotsia, it is a trip that creates memories and satisfies curiosity about northern Vietnam perfectly.