Lang Son Travel Guide

General Information

Lang Son is a mountainous province in Northeast Vietnam and a border of the nation. The province is located on the left bank of Ky Cung River, next to Ky Lua Market which can be accessible by means of the Ky Cung Bridge. Standing on the bridge, visitors can see the picturesque beauty and grandeur of the mountains, one of which resembles a woman with a baby in her hands. With many unique cultural values, Lang Son is a must-visit destination on your tour to Northern Vietnam.

Lang Son is a frontier mountainous province located in Northeast Vietnam, about 154km from Hanoi by the road and 165km by the railway. The province is bounded by Guangxi (China) in the east, Cao Bang Province in the south, Bac Giang Province in the north, Quang Ninh Province in the north-east and Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen Provinces in the west.

Lang Son terrain is low mountains and hills that cover over 80% of the province’s total area. The average altitude is 252m above the sea level. There is sometimes snow on Mau Son peak, which is also the highest point in Lang Son, in winter. Thanks to the complex network of rivers that run through the province such as Ky Cung, Ba Thin, Bac Giang, Bac Khe, Thuong, Hoa and Trung rivers, Lang Son is fertile for productive harvests.

Lang Son Weather

Lang Son is the typical climate pattern of the tropical monsoon climate of Northern Vietnam. The climate is cool and temperate with the annual average temperature at 21.5^oC. Lang Son is located in the northeast region, so the average rainfall is 1200-1600mm. The warmest time of a year drops in July, to be the hottest months, and then August. However, most tourists prefer to go there in October, followed by January and June with the cool temperature and the little chance of rainfall.

Getting to Lang Son

1. By road

It is very easy and convenient to travel by train to Lang Son. Also, it will be able to give you an exciting experience.

• It takes 3-4 hours to get to Lang Son
• The best station to buy tickets is Gia Lam station (481 Ngoc Lam). Railway station in Lang Son – Lang Son Railway Station (Le Loi street)
• One-way train ticket costs about 70,000 – 110,000 VND ($3 – $4/per person, hard seat)

2. By bus

• Buses can be found easily in Lang Son
• It takes about 4-5 hours to travel by bus
• One-way bus ticket costs about 240,000VND ($10)
• Bus station in Lang Son – Phia Bac Lang Son (QL 1A, Cao Loc)
• Bus station in Hanoi – Nuoc Ngam Station (Km 8, Giai Phong Street)

What to See in Lang Son

The province should be proud of the numerous cultures and historical vestiges. Besides, nature has bestowed many scenic spots that win the hearts of thousands of tourists coming there every year.

1. Chi Lang Passage

This passage records the significant historical events of Vietnam as a clear proof of Vietnamese heroic spirit against the invasions from the north. Located in Chi Lang District, the passage is 110km north of Hanoi, 60km south of the Chinese Border and 4km south of Lang Son City.

Due to rugged topography which is formed of two mountain ranges: the Kai Kinh to the west and the Bao Dai to the east, which is bounded by rocky mountain peaks at both ends of the mountain ranges, the passage is the dead ground for those who desire to get through and access Vietnamese land.

2. Tam Thanh Cave

Tam Thanh cave, situated in Tam Thanh Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son Province. This cave is the inspiration of many poets, among of whom, Ngo Thi Si, a famous Vietnamese poet, carved one of his texts on the grotto wall praising the magnificent natural beauty of the area.

The cave is 400m long and has openings to both sides of the mountain. Inside, there are different sections. Particularly, an opening on the ceiling at the corner of the cave is the entrance way for magical lights to get through and shine on a stage.

From there, visitors can go for a walk to Vong Phu mountain (means ‘waiting for the husband’) nearby.

3. Mau Son Mountain

Located in Loc Binh District, Lang Son Province, and 30km far from Lang Son City to the East at an altitude of 1,541m above sea level, Mau Son is naturally featured to be a real paradise in Lang Son with the mild climate and the cool temperature (15.60^oC) and a great deal of spacious and luxurious villas, which is the attractive factor for a tour to Vietnam.

There, you can have a look at the old French works, which is partly destroyed during the war. However, due to the unique appealing architecture, these old villas are worth seeing and photographing.

Additionally, ethnic minorities living around here are all welcoming and thoughtful. The major of them are Dao and Tay groups whose livelihoods depend on livestock production and cultivation. Be ready to talk and interact with them along the way. If you are lucky to pay a visit on their festival days, you will have an opportunity to join in lots of traditional activities such as eating, worship customs, costumes wearing, etc.

There are many motels in Mau Son that are well-equipped and reasonable price, ranging from VND 120,000 to 200,000 dong for 1 double room.

4. Nhi Thanh Cave

Nhi Thanh is the second biggest cave in Lang Son City with 300m in length and 2 openings to both sides of the mountain. Inside the cave, it is quite large with many corners and stalactites in many different shapes. There is also a stream flowing through the cave.

Started in the 18^th century, Nhi Thanh cave was first used for worship and houses a Buddhist chapel. The complicated structures inside the cave create a complex of chapels and oratories dedicated to Buddha and other holy figures.

What to Eat in Lang Son

1. Khau nhuc

This food is originated in ancient China and brought to Lang Son due to Tay and Nung ethnic groups. Preparing this food is quite time-consuming, so it is commonly served on the plate looking something like an up-ended basket in weddings, funerals and longevity celebrations of the local ethnic minority tribes. All the strips of pork loin are woven together and cover a core of steamed taro.

To make this food, local residents use several kinds of herbs, such as cinnamon, anise, pepper, chili, and basil to marinate with roasted pork loin for 15 minutes. “Mac mat”, a local sweet and aromatic plants and Tau soi leaves, a pickled herb used by the Tay ethnic groups are two not-missed ingredients for this dish.

2. Roast duck with “mac mat” leaves

Roast duck is a popular dish in China, especially a specialty in Hong Kong. However, Lang Son also has this kind of dish and worth receiving attention from international tourists when traveling to Vietnam.

The unique and appetizing taste of this food comes from perfect studding mixture made of finely chopped onion, garlic, chili, pepper, cardamom, anise and a local herd called “moc mat”. To make the food more eye-catching, the duck is dipped into the water laced with honey, and roasted over coals for 15 minutes and then deep-fried for more 15 minutes. After finishing, the thin, crispy skin does not have a fatty feel to it.

3. Grilled meatball

This dish might be less popular than other ones and it must leave a special impression on anyone tasting it once time.

The meatballs size is only as big as the wrist and is wrapped inside three layers of green banana leaves for 1 to 2 days before being grilled on red, hot coals. The ingredients of the food consist of pork meat, pork skin and a special Vietnamese food called Thinh. First, the pork must be clean, sliced into small and long pieces. Then the pork skin is boiled and shaved. After that, pork meat, pork skin, and Thinh are mixed together and wrapped in banana leaves. Finally, the meatballs are grilled. When tasting them, the burned leaves are removed.