Beauty of Non Nuoc Cao Bang global geopark
Poetic beauty of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark
Non Nuoc Cao Bang named second global geopark in Vietnam

NATURAL BEAUTY: Ban Gioc Waterfall on Quay Son River at Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bằng Province is the fourth largest waterfall in the world at an international border, after Iguazu Falls between Brazil and Argentina, Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Niagara Falls between the US and Canada. VNS Photos Doan Tung

 
"Nàng về nuôi cái cùng con
"Để anh đi trảy nước non Cao Bằng
(Go back home and take care of our children and our mother
Let me go and have a venture in the majestic nature of Cao Bang)

This popular Vietnamese folk song explains that Cao Bang is a magnificent land filled with attractions. One such mystical place is Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, one of the most impressive attractions of the province, which has been recognised as a UNESCO global geopark, the second of its kind in Vietnam.

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

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

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

There are three main routes to explore the geopark, including going to the east to experience traditional cultures, north to see history and freedom, and west to experience Phia Oắc, the mountain of transformations.

Wonderland to the east

My friends and I started the journey on an autumn day. The path to the route east is winding with one side green limestone mountains, and the other an abyss covered by white mist. Little wild flowers in many colours in the wind, fresh cool air, yellow sunlight, imposing scenes, and ethnic Tay girls in black costumes working happily in the rice fields created a painting of a peaceful rural life, harmoniously blended with nature.

Ma Phuc Pass was the first site on our route.

Located in Cao Xuyen Village, 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, head of the Institute of Geosciences and Natural resources, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, said the pass winds between two high limestone mountain ranges and constitutes, at its bottom, an exceptional geosite. Here, in contact with limestone (white rock) can be seen a blackish green rock with rounded shape – the so-called pillow basalt.

“Besides the exceptional geological interest, Ma Phuc is also a place of intangible heritage,” said Chu Thị Vinh, deputy head of Tra Linh District.

“According to legend, in the 11th century, a leader of the Nung people named Nung Tri Cao led local people to fight against the Chinese Song army from the north. Once returning from a patrol along the border, at Quoc Toan Commune of present day Tra Linh District, he faced this high, winding and steep pass, and his horse was crippled and could not 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.

MAJESTIC: Mountain Angel Eye or Phia Piot in Tay language means a mountain with a through-going hole, which is 50m in diameter and 50m high above the lake.

Leaving Ma Phuc Pass, we reached Angel Eye Mountain in Quoc Toan Commune, Tra Linh District.

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

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

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

Located on the Quay Son River at Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Ban Gioc Waterfall is the fourth largest waterfall in the world at an international border, after Iguazu Falls between Brazil and Argentina, Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Niagara Falls between the US and Canada.

Tran Thi Xuan Quynh, member of the management board of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, said Ban Gioc Fall is approximately 300 wide and 35m high, with three cascades. It runs between Vietnam and China.

Lots of foreign visitors have come here, along with locals.

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

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

Historical experience to the north

We explored historical sites the next day.

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

PEACEFUL: The jade, tranquil Lenin Stream which softly and peacefully meanders at the foot of the rampart is worth a visit.

The jade tranquil Lenin Stream which softly and peacefully meanders at the foot of the rampart – like Karl Marx Mountain, is worth a visit.

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

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

Nguyen Hai Long, 19, from Hanoi had the same feeling.

“This is the first time I have visited Cao Bang. Although the way from Hanoi to the province is so hard, I don’t regret my decision, especially when I visited Lenin Stream, Karl Marx Mountain and Coc Bo Cave where President Ho lived and worked. I admire him so much,” Long said.

IF ROCKS COULD TALK: The historic border landmark No 108, where President Ho Chi Minh made his first steps back to his home country after more than 30 years travelling seeking national salvation.

It turned to the end of the trip. Everybody was tired. But there was still a big challenge – the historic border landmark No 108, where President Ho Chi Minh made his first steps back to his home country after more than 30 years travelling abroard seeking ways for national salvation.

If I accepted the challenge, we would have to climb up for 1,000m to the ridge of the mountain range to look on Chinese territory and touch the historic border landmark. I hate climbing so much and had never climbed so high. But we didn’t give up.

On the way to the top, many times I thought I could not do it. Some others had the same thoughts as me. But finally, we overcame our doubts and did it, giving us an experience we will never forget.

Mountain of transformations to the west

After recovering with some local food and a good sleep, we headed west on the next day to experience Phia Oac, the mountain of transformations.

The route was a highlight, with many attractive 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 Den National Park, Tran Hung Dao Forest Special National Monument, and Kolia tea farm.

Ly Thi Thu Thuy, a tourist guide, said evidences of many processes and events that have contributed to the area’s transformations are showed clearly through volcanic activities, changes in climate, ecosystems and biodiversity with altitude, and especially changes related to the legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap and his army in the early years of the August Revolution in 1945.

“Among those, Tran Hung Dao Forest is a highlight. A primitive forest covering more than 200ha, it is the place where the Vietnam Liberation Army were established on December 22, 1944 (the precursor to the present Vietnam People’s Army).

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

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

CUPPA COMING UP: Located in Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, Kolia tea farm is a highlight of the route to the west.

Kolia tea farm is another highlight for the route to the west.

Located in the western route of Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, Kolia tea farm is an active geopark partner.

Phia Den in Nguyen Binh District is considered heaven as it is 1,300m above sea level. We took lots of pictures here with majestic mountains and forest, full of sunshine and floating white clouds.

Phia Den tea is the farm’s speciality. The production follows a clean model, which not only helps the ecosystem, but also creates jobs for local people. It’s sold widely in local and international markets, even in China.

Promotion strengthening

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

Deputy Chairman of Cao Bang Province’s People’s Committee, Nguyen Trung Thao, said that last year, the province welcomed more than 1.2 million visitors, which brought the province a turnover from tourism of VND400 billion (US$17.3 million).

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

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

 Bui Quynh Hoa

VNS