Below is the experience of Ms. Crystal Huyền Trang, who works in the tourism field in Ho Chi Minh City, who came to Lạng Sơn from May 5 to May 8 with a friend. The itinerary was based on the suggestions from the Director of a local travel company with more than 20 years of experience, along with information on the website of the Department of Tourism.

 Ms. Trang chose Lạng Sơn because this place is famous for its peaceful scenery and rich culture and history. Especially, this is an ideal destination to escape the scorching heat of summer because of the cool air. In addition to exploring the attractions in Lạng Sơn, Ms. Trang also went to Bằng Tường, China

The total cost of the trip was 10 million dong, including more than 4 million dong for three nights at the hotel and 1.2 million dong for the tour to Bằng Tường. The rest was the cost of transportation, food and drink (not including round-trip air tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi)

How to get to Lạng Sơn

Lạng Sơn is a mountainous border province in the Northeast of Vietnam, about 180 km from Hanoi. You can get to Lạng Sơn by different means of transportation, such as bus, train, or motorbike. Depending on your budget, time, and preference, you can choose the most suitable option for your trip. Some popular bus companies that operate between Hanoi and Lạng Sơn are Đức Dũng, Đại Bàng, Ngọc Phương, Sâm Hảo, and Phượng Hùng. 

The bus fare ranges from 90,000 to 130,000 VND per person, and the travel time is about 4 to 4.5 hours. If you prefer to travel by train, you can take a train from Hanoi station to Đồng Đăng station in Lạng Sơn. The train fare is about 100,000 VND per person for a hard seat and 150,000 VND for a soft seat. The travel time is about 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can also ride a motorbike from Hanoi to Lạng Sơn if you are confident and experienced in driving on mountain roads. The route is quite scenic and adventurous, but also requires more caution and preparation. The travel time by motorbike is about 4 hours

Tour itinerary for Lạng Sơn

Day one: Arrive in Lạng Sơn city - visit the historical and scenic site of Nhị - Tam Thanh (Tam Thanh pagoda, Tô Thị mountain), Mạc dynasty citadel, Phai Vệ flagpole. These places are close to the city center so they are convenient to visit.

• Day two: Cross over to Bằng Tường, China
• Day three: Conquer the peak of Phia Pò
• Day four: Return to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Places to visit in Lạng Sơn

Lạng Sơn is a province in the Northeast of Vietnam, bordering Guangxi province of China. It has many historical and natural attractions, such as:

• Mẫu Sơn mountain: a famous place for snow hunting, with a cool and pleasant climate, located 30 km east of Lạng Sơn city.
• Phai Vệ flagpole: a symbol of pride for the people of Lạng Sơn, standing on a high hill overlooking the city.
• Tam Thanh cave and pagoda: a scenic and spiritual site, with a 50-meter long natural cave and an ancient pagoda built in the Later Lê dynasty.
• Đồng Lâm grassland: a vast and green area with rolling hills and pine forests, ideal for camping and picnicking.
• Na Lay mountain: a majestic and mysterious mountain with a height of over 1,000 meters, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
• Milestone 1297: a historical site marking the border between Vietnam and China, where you can see the Friendship Bridge connecting the two countries.
• Mạc dynasty citadel: a remnant of the Mạc dynasty's resistance against the Trịnh lords in the 16th century, with 300 meters of stone walls between three mountains.
• Chi Lăng pass: a strategic and magnificent pass surrounded by Kai Kinh and Bảo Đài mountains, where many battles took place in the history of Vietnam.
• Đồng Đăng temple: an ancient temple dedicated to Buddha and Mother Goddesses, located on a high mountain with unique architecture and stunning scenery.
• Bắc Lệ communal temple: one of the eight most sacred temples in northern Vietnam and the most sacred place for love prayers in Lạng Sơn, located on a hill under hundreds-year-old trees.

Delicious restaurant in Lang Son

It is famous for its natural scenery and cuisine. Some of the popular dishes in Lang Son are roasted duck, grilled chicken, fried rice cake, and sour bamboo shoot soup. If you are looking for some recommendations, you can check out these restaurants:

• Nam Kai Restaurant: a cozy place that serves Vietnamese and Chinese food, such as noodles, dumplings, hot pot, and stir-fries
• Huong Nga Roasted Duck Restaurant: a place that specializes in roasted duck with mac mat leaves, a local herb that gives a unique flavor to the dish. This dish was voted as one of the top 100 delicious specialties of Vietnam in 2022
• Minh Quang Restaurant: a spacious and elegant restaurant that offers a variety of dishes, such as seafood, barbecue, hot pot, and salad