Nguyen Duc Hieu arrived in Cao Bang in early October expecting to stay about a week. The stunning “landscapes beyond imagination” and unexpected village encounters convinced him to extend the trip to 15 days.

Instead of a fixed schedule, Hieu chose Trung Khanh District and Ban Gioc Waterfall as his first stops and let the journey unfold naturally. He later revisited Phong Nam Valley and Ngoc Con Commune several times, saying, “Traveling doesn’t mean constantly moving to check off new destinations,” and even helped print portrait photos for local children.

The three places that impressed Hieu most were Ban Gioc Waterfall, Phong Nam Valley and Ngoc Con Commune. Phong Nam Valley lies about 25 km from the waterfall and is lined with golden rice fields on both sides of the turquoise Quay Son River, while Ngoc Con is home mainly to the Tay and Nung ethnic groups.

Hieu also tackled the 2.5 km Khau Coc Cha Pass, which has 15 steep tiers and 14 hairpin turns, staying nearby for three days to capture sunrise and sunset. From there he learned about Ho Lu Village, inhabited by the Dao community, whose residents face economic hardships because of rocky terrain and limited farmland; locals even lent him a wrench and invited him for tea after his motorbike stalled.

Hieu’s flexible approach, combined with the province’s dramatic landscapes and genuine cultural encounters, turned a planned one‑week visit into a memorable 15‑day adventure. The story shows how staying open to new sights and people can transform a short trip into a rich experience.