Mong Cai Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1 - 2 days

Best Time: April to July Read More

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"Delve into pristine beaches, shopping centers and history"

Mong Cai Tourism

Nestling on the very edge of Vietnam, Mong Cai is a small town located on the Vietnam-China border. It is filled with picturesque untouched beaches and a rich history of the Vietnam - China conflict. The town has booming trade owing to its proximity to the border. Mong Cai is also full of untouched beaches which are absolutely pristine and without any crowds.

Located in the Quang Binh Province, Mong Cai is a small town on the Vietnam-China border. Mong Cai is also considered to be one of the wealthiest cities in Vietnam. Mong Cai has one of the best border markets in Asia. The Bac Luan border gate is located close to the market, which plays host to a number of Chinese and Vietnamese traders. The market sells literally anything and everything! From clothes, jewellery and shoes to mosquito nets, leathers and Chinese medicine, you name it, you get it! The Tra Co beach and Sa Vi region is a pristine, untouched beach with oceans the most clear shade of jade blue and trees the brightest shade of green. The beauty of the beach convinces you that you have stepped right into a fairytale. The Sa Vi cape is an obscurely shaped cape from where you can look into the Chinese side. The Ban Gioc Waterfall is a relatively unexplored, but absolutely spectacular waterfall. It is the widest waterfall in Vietnam. The Ngoum Ngoc caves are said to extend 4 kilometers, up to the waterfall and were used to hide during the Sino-Vietnamese war in 1979. However, just a kilometer iof thisn cave is open for tourism. Mong Cai is not for those who want a lot of activity in their holiday, but for those who really want to let go of the nuances of everyday life.

Things to do in Mong Cai

1. Ban Gioc Waterfall

Ban Gioc Waterfall
Ban Gioc Waterfall is one of Vietnam�۪s most impressive sights. It is the highest waterfall in the country.

2. Nguom Ngao Cave

Nguom Ngao Cave
Ngoum Ngao cave system is one of the most spectacular underground cave systems in Vietnam.

3. Tra Co and Sa Vi

Tra Co and Sa Vi
Tra Co is one of the most primitive and romantic beaches, located on the Vietnam-China Border.

4. Mong Cai Border Gate

Mong Cai Border Gate
The Mong Cai Border gate is an ideal location to combine tourism and shopping.

5. Uncle Ho Museum

Uncle Ho Museum
The Uncle Ho Museum is set up near the cave Ho Chi Minh hid at for weeks, in fear of capture by the French.

6. Hang Coc Bo

Hang Coc Bo
The Hang Coc Bo cave and surrounding area is considered sacred ground with respect to the Vietnamese revolution.

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Shopping in Mong Cai

Mong Cai Shopping Mall/Market is a great place to not only shop, but as it is located on the border, to experience an influx of different cultures. The market includes 3 sections - Market 1, Market 2 and Market 3 and contains a medley of Vietnamese and Chinese traders. A wide range of goods are displayed in the market and exchanged across the border. Chinese goods imported to Vietnam are mainly cloth, ready-made clothes, blankets, footwear, electronics, toys, cakes, fruits such as apples, oranges or dried grapes, etc. Vietnam's imported are mostly primary rubber, fresh seafood, agricultural products such as tea, beans, coffee, etc. There are numerous Chinese medicine stores and astrologer shops as well.

Nightlife in Mong Cai

Mong Cai is not a very big town and hence does not have a very active nightlife. Dance bars and clubs are nonexistent but it has its fair share of relaxed places to enjoy a drink. Chimay's Beer has the some amazing choice of Belgian Beer couple with Vietnamese snacks. Ban Gioc Coffee junction is a sophisticated area with shops that serve an assortment of caffeine and other drinks. Apart from this, Mong Cai has the usual assortment of Bia Hoi junctions and Karaoke Bars characteristic of any Vietnamese city.

History of Mong Cai

Mong Cai is most popularly known for the battle of Mong Cai. This battle took place during the Sino-Vietnamese War between 16th February 1979 and 10th March 1979. The attack was launched by the Chinese army as a diversion to the main attack in other provinces. Artillery shells were fired by the People’s Liberation Army of China on Mong Cai. At the end of the War, the casualities on both sides were counted to be 750 at Mong Cai.

Language of Mong Cai

Vietnamese is spoken most commonly in Mong cai. Apart from that, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese and English are also spoken.

Mong Cai Customs

Mong Cai has a mixed population, consisting mainly of Vietnamese but also a few Chinese and Cantonese. The respective communities follow their respective traditions.

Religion of Mong Cai

Religion followed is largely similar to the rest of Vietnam

Mong Cai Summmer Festival

Mong Cai is widely famous for the 'welcoming of summer' festival that takes place. Hundreds of local revelers gather at the market to celebrate this event. The area gets so crowded that is practically impossible to not brush elbows often. Numerous talented performers dance, sing and perform various traditional acts. Dozens of youngsters perform break dances. The entire market area is lit up with a number of glimmer lights. Numerous food stalls are set up and food and drinks are sold. Tourists from both within the country and outside Mong Cai attend this event.

Best Time to Visit Mong Cai

How to Reach Mong Cai

How to Reach Overview

Mong Cai is a fairly remote town on the Vietnam Chinese border. The closest airport is at Hanoi. There are a number of buses that ply from Mong Cai to Hanoi, Sapa and Halong. It cannot be reached by rail or by Hydrofoil.

How to reach Mong Cai by flight

The closest airport to Mong Cai is the Noi Ban International Airport located at Hanoi. The airport has both domestic and international flights. The airport is located 226 kilometers away from Mong Cai. Mong Cai can easily be reached from the airport by bus

How to reach Mong Cai by road

Mong Cai is located on the Vietnamese-Chinese border. It is located 226 kilometes from Hanoi. If you have pre-ordered a taxi or if you have a travel agency sending a car for you, it is just a 8 hour drive away. The roads are smooth and easily navigable. The Chinese border is just 2 km away and can easily be reached by Xe Om (VND 20,000) and Taxi (VND 40,000). To enter the Chinese side, you need a visa.

How to reach Mong Cai by bus

There are frequent buses from Halong City, Hanoi and Sapa to Mong Cai. The bus from Halong City costs VND 100,000 per person and takes about 4 hours to reach. The bus from Hanoi takes 8 hours to reach and costs between VND 160,000 - VND 220,000 per person. The bus from Sapa takes 12 hours and is VND 450,000 per person.

Local transport in Mong Cai

Mong Cai is a very small town and you can easily get around town on foot. To visit the various attractions, various metered taxis an Xe Om services are availbale.

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Mong Cai Photos

Mong Cai
Ban Gioc Waterfall - Surrounded by Lush Greenery
Tra Co - Tranquil Beach in Mong Cai
Sa Vi Cape, Mong Cai

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FAQs on Mong Cai

What are the places near Mong cai?

The top places near to Mong cai are Halong bay which is 106 km from Mong cai, Hanoi which is located 228 km from Mong cai, Hoi an which is located 629 km from Mong cai, Bai tu long bay which is located 99 km from Mong cai, Hue which is located 566 km from Mong cai

What are the things to do in Mong cai?

The top things to do in Mong cai are Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Tra Co and Sa Vi, Mong Cai Border Gate, Uncle Ho Museum, Hang Coc Bo. You can see all the places to visit in Mong cai here

What is the best way to reach Mong cai?

Mong Cai is a fairly remote town on the Vietnam Chinese border. The closest airport is at Hanoi. There are a number of buses that ply from Mong Cai to Hanoi, Sapa and Halong. It cannot be reached by rail or by Hydrofoil.
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What is the local food in Mong cai?

Mong Cai, located on the Vietnam-China border, has a unique was of combining Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine. Mong Cai is most popularly known for two food items - the herb stewed duck and seafood porridge. The herb stewed duck cooked with soybean sauce, mushrooms and herbs along with a few other ingredients is an authentic Chinese dish with a Vietnamese touch to it. The seafood porridge is another favourite. This porridge is made with an assortment of seafood and pig meat, seasoned with spices. Another rarely known dish is fresh mackerel cooked with eggplant, betel leaves and grape leaves.
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What is the best time to visit Mong cai?

April - July: In spite of the heat and rainfall, the summer months of April to July happen to be the best months to visit Mong Cai. During these months, the lunar New Year is celebrated with grandeur and pomp and you will get an opportunity to soak in and celebrate. You might even be able to participate in certain activities such as boating and cooking competitions.
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What is not so good about Mong cai?

Small Town, Not very tourist friendly

What is famous about Mong cai?

English speaking population, Pristine Beaches

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