January
15.3°C ~ 60°F
12 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
Cao Bang
Pac Bo Cave
The cave where Ho Chi Minh lived in 1941 after returning to Vietnam, in a quiet green valley.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Entry fee
- 20,000 VND
- Best months
- Sep – Nov
- Best time
- Any time of year
Overview
Pac Bo is a historic site where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in 1941 after he came back to Vietnam after 30 years abroad. He stayed in a small cave beside a stream, which he named Lenin Stream, and the area became a base for the independence movement.
The site is a national relic and a calm green valley with a stone table, a stream and a small forest. It is a short stop for those interested in Vietnamese history, and it is usually visited on the way to Cao Bang from Hanoi.
Highlights
- See the cave where Ho Chi Minh lived
- Visit the Lenin Stream and stone table
- Walk through the forest paths
- Learn about the independence movement
Visitor information
| Opening hours | Daily, about 7:00 – 17:00 |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | About 20,000 VND per adult |
| Time needed | 1 hour |
| Best time of day | Any time of year |
| Good for | History fans, families |
| Accessibility | Flat paths, some steps to the cave |
| Facilities | Toilets, parking, small stalls |
Prices and hours can change. Check the official source before you go.
Best time to visit
Weather in Cao Bang by month.
February
16.5°C ~ 62°F
12 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
March
20.5°C ~ 69°F
17 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
April
23.7°C ~ 75°F
16 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
May
26.1°C ~ 79°F
23 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
June
27.6°C ~ 82°F
25 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
July
27.8°C ~ 82°F
24 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
August
27.4°C ~ 81°F
27 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
September
26.5°C ~ 80°F
21 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
October
23.4°C ~ 74°F
13 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
November
20.2°C ~ 68°F
11 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
December
15.8°C ~ 60°F
10 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
How to get there
From Cao Bang centre
Pac Bo is about 1 to 1.5 hours by car north of Cao Bang city. Most visitors go with a driver or tour group, often as part of a 2 or 3-day trip with Ban Gioc.
Tips before you go
- Dress modestly; it is a revered site
- Allow time to read the displays
- Combine with Ban Gioc on a 2-day trip
- Hire a local guide for the historical stories
Location
Pac Bo, Ha Quang, Cao Bang
About 50 km north of Cao Bang city
More attractions in Cao Bang
FAQs
Why is Pac Bo important?
Ho Chi Minh lived and worked there in 1941 and set up a base for the independence movement.
How long do I need?
About 1 hour to walk the site and see the cave.
Is it near Ban Gioc?
It is about 2 hours from Ban Gioc, so many tours do them on different days.