Following National Highway 3 eastward, the landscape gradually unfolds like a living ink-wash painting, with towering limestone mountains, lush green rice fields, and peaceful villages nestled at the foot of the mountains. As the journey continues deeper into the region, visitors can increasingly appreciate the pristine and tranquil beauty of a land shaped by hundreds of millions of years of geological history. Together, these elements create a harmonious blend of nature and cultural traditions in this northern frontier region.

The journey begins at the Ma Phuc Pass (Tra Linh Commune), one of the most scenic mountain passes in Cao Bang. Stretching for more than 3.5 kilometres at an elevation of around 700 metres above sea level, Ma Phuc Pass winds through seven steep sections between two towering limestone mountain ranges. Approximately 260 million years ago, numerous volcanoes were active beneath the sea in this area. Lava erupted underwater and cooled rapidly, forming stacked pillow lavas that provide evidence of intense tectonic activity during the geological history of the Earth. Ma Phuc Pass is also associated with an intangible cultural heritage story dating back to the 11th century. According to local legend, during a border patrol, the Tay–Nung leader Nung Tri Cao encountered this rugged pass. His horse knelt down and could go no farther, giving rise to the name “Ma Phuc”, meaning “kneeling horse”.

Continuing along the Eastern Route, visitors arrive at Mountain Angel Eye (Tra Linh Commune), one of the outstanding geosites of Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, with internationally significant geological value. Mountain Angel Eye is in fact a circular natural window, more than 50 metres in diameter and situated approximately 50 metres above the lake. It was formed as a result of uplift during the Neogene–Quaternary tectonic evolution, which significantly reshaped the limestone landscape. The opening developed within tower-karst terrain at a general elevation of around 650–700 metres. During the rainy season, the lake rises and its calm surface reflects the surrounding mountains, creating a picturesque landscape. In the dry season, the water recedes, revealing a lush carpet of grass stretching across the valley like a highland grassland amid the mountains. This combination of pristine and dramatic scenery makes Mountain Angel Eye an especially captivating stop on the journey through the northern frontier.

Along the Eastern Route, visitors have opportunities to explore traditional craft villages where local communities continue to preserve and promote cultural values passed down through generations. At Dia Tren Village (Quang Uyen Commune), the traditional making of Do paper has been maintained for generations and remains closely associated with the folk beliefs and spiritual rituals of the Nung An people. The entire process is carried out by hand, from selecting raw materials and pounding them to pulping, filtering, and drying the paper. Each stage reflects the care, patience, and commitment of the local community to safeguarding its cultural identity.

The journey continues to Phja Thap Incense Village (Quang Uyen Commune), one of the province’s officially recognized traditional craft villages, with a history of more than 100 years. Incense in Phja Thap is made entirely from natural herbs and plant materials such as cinnamon, Gleditsia australis, and bau hat, producing a gentle fragrance that carries the fresh essence of the mountain forests and permeates the atmosphere of this northern frontier village. Visitors can often see Nung An women gathered on the verandas of traditional stilt houses, skilfully rolling and shaping incense sticks by hand. Every stage is carefully undertaken with dexterity and respect, as though each person were continuing a way of life and an age-old custom passed down from their ancestors.

Particularly distinctive is Pac Rang forging Village (Quang Uyen Commune), where the rhythmic sound of hammers and the glow of traditional forges continue to bring this long-established craft to life. In 2019, the blacksmithing craft of the Nung An people in Phuc Sen Commune was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Using simple forges and skilled hands, local craftspeople produce sharp and durable agricultural tools that are well known throughout the region and sought after by traders from many places. These products serve practical needs while embodying the craftsmanship and accumulated knowledge of a traditional craft preserved through generations.

These craft villages preserve not only cultural memories, ethnic languages, and community traditions, but also vividly reflect the distinctive identity of each locality. Through visits to these villages, travellers can gain first-hand insights into everyday life, learn about local customs and traditions, observe traditional production processes, and experience the living cultural heritage that has been safeguarded and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Leaving the traditional craft villages behind, the journey continues to Nguom Ngao Cave (Dam Thuy Commune), one of the most spectacular caves in the mountainous northern region of Vietnam. Extending for more than 2,000 metres, the cave contains a fascinating world of stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years, creating countless imaginative shapes known locally as the Golden Waterfall, Silver Waterfall, Pillar Supporting the Sky, Upside-down Lotus, Terraced Fields, and more. Since 2021, the nearly 3-kilometre Ban Thuon adventure route has been opened to visitors, offering an exciting experience for those seeking adventure. The route involves climbing rock faces, wading through streams in darkness, and exploring passages that retain much of their natural and pristine character.

Located along Provincial Road 206 on the way to Nguom Ngao Cave, Khuoi Ky Stone Village (Dam Thuy Commune) is a distinctive ancient village within the Ban Gioc Waterfall tourist area. Established hundreds of years ago and covering an area of approximately 10,000 square metres, the village is renowned for its traditional stone-built stilt houses. Through the passage of time, the village has retained its traditional customs and distinctive architectural character, creating an atmosphere of tranquillity and timelessness amid the expansive mountain landscape of the border region.

Approximately 4 kilometres from Nguom Ngao Cave, Ban Gioc Waterfall (Dam Thuy Commune) is regarded as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam. It is also the fourth-largest waterfall in the world among waterfalls located on international borders and has been listed among the world’s most spectacular waterfalls. Viewed from a distance, Ban Gioc waterfall appears majestic, with broad streams of white water cascading over multiple limestone terraces and creating clouds of spray. The roar of the waterfall reverberates through the surrounding mountains like an endless symphony of nature. Visitors can take a bamboo raft close to the foot of the waterfall to enjoy panoramic views and feel the cool spray of the water, or experience the cross-border tourism route within the Ban Gioc–Detian Scenic Area and admire the waterfall from a variety of unique perspectives.

In addition to its major attractions, the Eastern Route of Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark also contains numerous lesser-known heritage sites with distinctive geological, landscape, and cultural values, including Bach Linh Shrine, Magic stone, traditional wooden wheels, and Thoong Got Landscape. Each stop forms another piece of the diverse mosaic of nature and culture in the land of Cao Bang. Throughout the journey, visitors can immerse themselves in memorable cultural experiences: listening to the soulful melodies of Then singing accompanied by the tinh lute, and tasting local specialties such as tram sticky rice, roasted duck, and smoked pork sausage. Together, these experiences create a symphony of memories and emotions, connecting people with the nature, culture, and heritage of Cao Bang.

As the exploration of the Eastern Route – “Experience Traditional Culture in a Wonderland” comes to an end, visitors take with them the lingering impressions of this northern frontier, where beauty quietly reveals itself through heritage, culture, and the strength of local communities. Building on these foundations, the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark continues to shape a story of balanced development, where conservation, cultural continuity, and innovation are nurtured through local knowledge and a deep sense of pride in the homeland.