Nguyen Minh Ha, 50, a teacher of English in Hanoi, and her husband recently completed a three-day, two-night journey, riding a motorbike from Hanoi to Cao Bang to roam high-mountain communes and admire autumn scenery.

"I have traveled to view autumn in many countries worldwide, including the US, Japan, South Korea, and Russia. Each location has unique beauty. However, to me, Cao Bang is a highly worthwhile destination in autumn due to its pristine nature, majestic yet poetic landscapes, reasonable costs, and pleasant weather," Ha said.

Ha previously visited Cao Bang in the summer of 2024. At that time, her family primarily visited famous cultural and historical sites such as Lenin Mountain, Pac Bo Special National Relief Site, Ban Gioc Waterfall, and Nguom Ngao Cave, lacking the opportunity to admire the border province's untouched natural landscapes.

"Later, I saw many photographer friends sharing images of Cao Bang autumn with golden ripe rice fields and gushing waterfalls. That scenery mesmerized me, inspiring a goal to visit soon and capture beautiful photos," she noted.

In late September, she and her husband arranged their schedules to take a motorbike road trip to Cao Bang. Initially, Ha felt anxious about the one-way distance exceeding 300 km, excluding travel into remote villages. She worried that sitting on a motorbike for extended periods might cause back pain and exhaustion under hot weather conditions.

"I considered taking a sleeper bus for safety and to save time. However, my husband persuaded me to experience traveling on a large-displacement motorbike, allowing us the freedom to control our schedule and stop wherever scenic spots appeared," Ha said.

Ripe rice seasons and mountain waterfalls

Departing from Hanoi, the couple rode for approximately seven hours to reach the old Cao Bang City area, including rest stops along the route, before continuing 50 km to God's Eye Mountain (Nui Mat Than) to watch the sunset.

God's Eye Mountain, also known as Thung Mountain, is located in Ban Danh Hamlet within Cao Bang Geopark. Near the peak sits a large hole traversing the mountain core, resembling a giant eye with a maximum diameter of roughly 50 meters.

At the mountain base lies a vast valley surrounded by lakes and small streams. The landscape varies by season. During the dry season (from the ninth to the third lunar month), the valley turns lush green with tender grass carpets, attracting visitors for camping and picnics.

"Although the sunset passed quickly, the scenic beauty and fresh climate delighted us, offering a sense of recharged energy for our long journey," Ha shared.

The couple returned to sleep in the old Cao Bang City center. At 6:30am the next morning, they traveled toward Ngoc Con to view the ripe rice harvest.

"Along the road to Ngoc Con, we drove through the visually striking Phong Nam Valley. In the early morning, thick mist enveloped the mountains, rendering the road invisible in places. As sunlight emerged, vast golden fields appeared before us, with locals diligently harvesting rice," Ha recalled.

The couple regretted departing late, forcing a hasty departure from Phong Nam and missing the sunrise in Ngoc Con. "If travelers start from the city center, they should depart before 5am or choose to stay in Trung Khanh Commune the night before to be closer to Ngoc Con," Ha advised.

Ha and her husband reached a high vantage point overlooking Ngoc Con Valley at 9am. A panorama of rolling, majestic mountains greeted them, with the clear blue Quay Son River winding through fertile fields. Interspersed green and yellow hues highlighted quiet villages nestled among forests and bamboo groves.

Ngoc Con is home primarily to Tay and Nung ethnic groups, who practice terrace farming and preserve traditional lifestyles passed down through generations. A local specialty of Ngoc Con is nep ong sticky rice, featuring large, round, aromatic grains that cook into a soft, fragrant dish popular in the market. Visitors can admire the landscape while learning about local daily life.

Continuing their itinerary, the couple passed Co La Waterfall and Ban Gioc Waterfall. The scenery at Ban Gioc Waterfall left a deep impression on Ha. The voluminous, crystal-clear waterfall cascaded down amid mountain forests, bordered by terraced fields entering harvest season.

In the evening, the couple returned to the old Cao Bang City center to rest. The following morning, they woke up leisurely, enjoyed local cuisine, purchased gifts, and returned to Hanoi.

Linh Trang