Pac Bo Vietnam - Ultimate Travel & History Guide

Traveling through Vietnam, I reached Pac Bo a remote village and historical park in Cao Bằng Province. Known as the “birthplace of the revolution,” Pac Bo (Pác Bó) is where Ho Chi Minh secretly returned in 1941 to begin Vietnam’s fight for independence.
In this peaceful valley by the Chinese border, emerald springs and rugged karst peaks meet wartime relics and a wooden stilt-house shrine.

In this travel guide I’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Pac Bo: how to get there, what to see (from Ho’s cave to Lenin Stream), practical tips, and even local food and lodging suggestions.

Historical & Cultural Significance of Pac Bo

Pac Bo is a Special National Relic Site of Vietnam, the starting point (km 0) of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. In February 1941, after nearly 30 years in exile, Ho Chi Minh crossed the border at Milestone 108 (see FAQ) and settled here. He set up a guerrilla base in Pac Bo, studying revolution and strategizing Vietnam’s liberation. Locals vividly remember how young Ho arrived at the stream (“Suối Lenin”) to fish and write poetry; decades later this became legend. Indeed, Pac Bo is often called the birthplace of the Vietnamese revolution, and it was formally recognized by the government as a Special National Relic in 2012.

Today the site honors this history. It contains a simple Ho Chi Minh Temple (built in TayNùng stilt-house style) with a gilded statue of Uncle Ho, plus caves and huts where he lived. Visitors can follow Ho’s footsteps: see the wooden plank he slept on, the stone table he worked at, and even the rock on the streambank where he sat to fish. Walking these shaded jungle paths, it’s easy to feel why Vietnamese schoolchildren learn about “Pac Bo” from an early age.

How to Get There

Pac Bo is quite remote - about 315 km north of Hanoi.
From Hanoi: the simplest way is to catch a highway bus to Cao Bằng city. Buses leave daily from the My Dinh (and other) stations; the 58 hour ride (280320 km) costs roughly 200,000400,000 VND (USD 817). Several operators (e.g. Thanh Ly, Son Phương) run sleeper or day buses to Cao Bằng. If coming from Sapa or Ha Giang, direct sleeper buses also connect to Cao Bằng. (There is no airport in Cao Bằng province, so any flights land in Hanoi before the journey north.)

From Cao Bằng city to Pac Bo: It’s about 50 km of mountain road from downtown Cao Bằng. The most popular option is to rent a motorbike or hire a car/taxi for this leg. The road (National Highway 3) is paved and scenic, passing rice fields and small villages. Motorbike shops in Cao Bằng can rent you a bike for about 150,000200,000 VND/day, but you’ll need at least a confident driver license for the winding road. A taxi or private car (roughly 1.52 million VND for the day) is more expensive but stress-free.
Whichever you choose, the drive takes around 90 minutes. As you approach Pac Bo, you may glimpse the Soc Hà valley (Sóc Hà) of lush farmland, a great photo op.

The road to Pac Bo winds through emerald rice fields and limestone hills. Pac Bo village lies in the green valley below  roughly 315 km from Hanoi and about 50 km from Cao Bằng city. From the parking area, a path leads into the historical site, passing a mountain pagoda.

Border check: Since Pac Bo sits right on the China border, tourists pass a small Viet Nam border checkpoint before reaching the site. The famous km 0 Ho Chi Minh Road marker (Milestone 108) stands just past the symbolic point where Ho first set foot back in Vietnam.

When to Visit & Weather Tips

Pac Bo’s climate is influenced by monsoons. The best time to visit is the dry season  October through April. During these cooler, less humid months, the weather is pleasant and trails are drier. Autumn (Oct-Nov) and early spring bring mild temperatures and clear skies. The water in Lenin Stream is especially vivid emerald-blue in cool months.

Summer rainy season (MaySeptember) can bring heavy downpours. Roads up to Pac Bo may get muddy or have landslides, and Lenin Stream becomes very fast-flowing. Motogo Travel advises that from July to September you may see higher water and less clarity. If you do visit in summer, bring rain gear and be flexible on timing. In winter (December to February), mountain nights can get chilly (below 10°C); pack warm layers. In any season, sturdy shoes are a must  trails and stone steps can be slippery if wet. Sunscreen and bug spray are always wise in the jungle too.

Pac Bo Historical Site: What to See

Pac Bo’s attractions are packed into a compact area, all accessible on foot once you enter. The main highlights, in or near Pac Bo village, include:

• Ho Chi Minh Temple & Memorial Pavilion: Right at the entrance (before the park) you’ll see a traditional Tay-stilt-house temple. It houses a large bronze statue of Ho Chi Minh (1.8 m tall) and calls him the “bright sunshine” of the revolution. The architecture is simple but symbolic: a low wooden hall on stilts with a peaked roof, red columns and a stone floor. Inside, plaques explain Ho’s return in 1941. This is sometimes called the Ho Chi Minh Memorial or Shrine.

• Lenin Stream (Suối Lenin): Behind the temple, a paved loop trail follows a brilliant turquoise stream in a forested gorge. The water here is crystal-clear (you can see fish swimming below) and lies so still it looks like jade or aquamarine. (Ho Chi Minh named this “Lenin Stream” during his stay, in honor of the Soviet leader.) Walking along the stone path by the water is magical: vines hang overhead, and every few yards the channel widens into mini pools.
  Along the way you’ll cross a small wooden bridge over the tributary where Lenin Stream starts, and see spots where Ho used to sit and fish.

Strolling Lenin Stream is one of Pac Bo’s most beautiful experiences. The water here is clear and cool, so still that fish are easily visible. Pathways hug the stream’s edge, taking you by pools and cascade-fed coves. (Tip from travelers: this area can get busy on weekends, so visiting mid-week means you’ll likely have it mostly to yourself.)

• Pac Bo (Coc Bo) Cave: About halfway around the Lenin Stream loop, a short side path (up some stone steps) leads to Pac Bo Cave, the actual cave where Ho Chi Minh hid for weeks in 1941. Inside the cave (about 15 m²), a few relics are on display: the wooden plank he slept on, a fireplace, and the stone work-table where he studied revolution. The cave mouth lets out to a larger chamber where Lenin Stream springs forth from the rock. The stream actually bubbles up from inside this cave! This underground pool is jaw-droppingly clear, and you’ll see tree roots and fish underfoot. Vietnamese visitors call it the place where Ho lived in hiding. (Ironically, the cave was badly damaged in the 1979 war with China, but it has since been restored for tourism.) The walk up to the cave involves roughly 200 stone steps ascending the hill, but many visitors (especially families) opt to ride the electric “buggies” from the entrance up to the cave foot.

• Karl Marx Mountain (Núi Cốc Cáo): Towering above Lenin Stream is a limestone peak named Karl Marx Mountain (Núi Cốc Cáo). Ho Chi Minh allegedly named it in revolutionary spirit (the Vietnam Tourism site even notes visitors can climb it to see where “Uncle Ho lived and worked” on plans). The mountain is visible from most of Pac Bo; a sign marks trails upward. On the slopes of Karl Marx Mountain lie the Nguom Vai Caves (also called Bo Bam and Co Tien caves)  sites with ancient carvings and legends about local deities. These are separate tickets at Pac Bo, but adventurous hikers can explore them.

• Kim Đồng Tomb: Near the site’s entrance is the tomb of Kim Đồng, a 14-year-old martyr who carried mail for Viet Minh guerillas. (His real name was Nong Van Den.) He died in 1943, and his gravesite is now part of the Pac Bo relic area. A small shrine honors this brave boy, a beloved figure in local history.
  Location of Kim Dong Tomb on google maps. It is rated 4.5 stars on google reviews with over 600 reviews as of June 2025.

• Duong Van Dinh’s House: Also on site is the house of local villager Duong Van Dinh. Ho Chi Minh often visited Dinh’s home in Pac Bo to meet villagers and explain the revolution. The house is preserved as a reminder of those exchanges.

• Other landmarks: A short walk (~1 km) from the main site is Khuoi Nam, a stilt-house hideout where Ho took shelter longer-term. If you continue even further (with permission from local guides), you’ll reach the old border outpost at Mốc 108, the very place Ho stepped into Vietnam in 1941. Many visitors combine Pac Bo with trips to nearby sites like the Bản Giốc Waterfall (Ban Gioc) or Nguom Ngao Cave, but those are an hour or two away by road.

In short, Pac Bo’s walking trail lets you tick off each of these attractions in one loop: shrine  Lenin Stream  Ho’s cave  temple  and back. You can easily see the highlights in 23 hours if you don’t linger too long (some travelers spend half a day). Signs are mostly in Vietnamese, so bring your guidebook or a local guide for more history.

Entry Fees, Opening Hours, and Guides

Pac Bo Historical Site is open daily, and entry is very inexpensive. The official hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (tourism sources also say “dawn to dusk”, but 817 covers standard visiting time). Tickets are just around 20,000 VND (~$1 USD) per adult. There are discounted rates: about 15,000 VND for children over 10, and free for kids under 10. A small parking fee applies if you drive (around 20,000 VND per car or 5,000 VND per motorbike).

You buy tickets at the booth by the big car park at the valley’s end. The Pac Bo site is generally safe and well-maintained. A word about signage: most information boards inside have only Vietnamese text. So if you want in-depth stories or translations, consider hiring a local guide or downloading a translation app. Volunteer guides (often younger Tay or Nùng students) may be present at the shrine and cave entrances to offer a brief tour in Vietnamese.

Note: Pac Bo is considered quite safe, but it’s an outdoor park. Wear sturdy shoes (paths are rocky at spots) and bring water. In the rainy season, watch for slippery rocks near the stream. There are a few vendors by Lenin Stream selling snacks, drinks, and Ho Chi Minh souvenirs, but beyond that, food and ATMs are not available on-site. The closest restaurants and full conveniences are back in Cao Bằng city (about 1.52 hours away), so plan accordingly.

Food and Accommodation Nearby

Pac Bo itself has very limited facilities, think basic snacks and cold drinks sold by a few roadside stalls. Most travelers overnight in Cao Bằng city (15 km south of the car park), where there’s a wider range of hotels, restaurants and shops. Cao Bằng city, the provincial capital, has clean mid-range hotels and some boutique options (for example, Indigen Boutique Hotel is highly rated, though you’ll find only Vietnamese information on it). In town you can sample unique local dishes: phở chua (sour noodle soup), bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls), sticky rice specialties, and even Cao Bằng’s famed nem nướng (grilled pork sausage).

If you prefer to stay closer to Pac Bo, there are several homestays and guesthouses in the Ha Quảng and Pac Bo area. Campsites and farmhouse stays (with Tay ethnic hospitality) often cost 200,000 to 500,000 VND per night. These are very basic (fitting local style) but give an authentic experience. Homestays like Pac Bo Homestay Cao Bang (nearby) even offer tiny pools and garden views. Whichever you choose, book in advance during the high season (OctoberApril).

For dining near Pac Bo, many tour groups or homestays will include a local lunch of mountain cuisine like grilled river fish, wild greens, fresh bamboo shoots and fruits. One tour review mentioned “Pac Bo stream fish, mountain vegetables and fresh fruits” as lunch specials. While there are no fancy restaurants on site, nearby village eateries (nha hang) serve rice dishes and stir-fries. Some visitors pack snacks (banh mi, fruit, water) to enjoy by the creek. In any case, enjoy the local simple fare  Cao Bằng’s food is hearty and flavorful.

Safety, Weather, and Accessibility Tips

• Safety: Pac Bo is very peaceful. There are no big safety issues, but it’s still an outdoor natural site. Stay on marked paths and watch small children near the water. The park isn’t fully wheelchair-accessible (there are steps and uneven paths around the cave).
  Electric buggies run up to the cave, which helps if you can’t do the stairs, but beyond that the trail has roots and rocks. For those who worry about health, note the elevation is only about 265m above sea level, so altitude sickness is not a concern.

• Weather: As noted, avoid heavy rain if possible. Even in the wet season, the park stays open but trails can be muddy. Bring a light rain jacket or poncho if rain is forecast. In summer, the streamside spots are shady but humid and drink plenty of water. In winter, mornings can be brisk, so a sweater or light jacket is useful.

• Crowds & Timing: Vietnamese tourists often visit Pac Bo in organized groups on weekends and holidays. If you prefer solitude, try to arrive on a weekday or early morning. (One traveler notes that by midday on a weekday, the parking lot may be empty and you can have the site mostly to yourself.) The key attractions (cave, stream) are all close together, so even with a crowd it’s manageable. The site is well-lit by day but there’s no night lighting, so after 5 PM it gets dark quickly in the forest  and plans to be back at the entrance before closing time.

• Dress & Gear: Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy closed-toe shoes (sandals are common but not ideal if trails are wet). A hat and sunscreen help on sunny days. Bug spray is wise for jungle ticks or mosquitoes, especially at dusk. Note that inside the cave and under the canopy it can feel cool even in summer.

• Language: As mentioned, signage and any posted information is in Vietnamese. One visitor noted that none of the informational plaques have English, so if you’re curious about detailed stories, either hire a guide or use a translation app on your phone (the temple and vendors may have someone who speaks a bit of English).

• Unexpected tips from fellow travelers: Little snack stand near Lenin Stream only takes cash, so have small bills.
  Another tip: if you love photography, remember Pac Bo’s scenery (Lenin’s blue pools, forest canopy, stone steps) looks best in diffused light; overcast days actually bring out the water color, while midday sun can glare.
  Finally, the Việt Minh “Monument of the Southern Liberation” (Cao-Đội memorial) can be visited by a short drive past Ha Quảng town on the way back; it’s an interesting stop if you have time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pac Bo worth visiting?
Absolutely, especially if you love history or tranquil nature. It’s one of Vietnam’s most unique historical parks. Pac Bo was the first base of Ho Chi Minh’s revolution, and the park allows a personal glimpse into that history. The lush scenery of Lenin Stream and Karl Marx Mountain is also very beautiful and unusual. Vietnam’s official tourism site even calls Pac Bo an “important pilgrimage spot”. In short, if you’re traveling to Cao Bằng or Ban Gioc Falls, Pac Bo is a highly recommended side-trip.

How long does it take to explore Pac Bo?
You can see most highlights in about 23 hours. Plan 11.5 hours just to walk the Lenin Stream loop and visit the cave/shrine area, plus extra time to climb any peaks or side trails. If you bring snacks or want to relax by the stream, budget half a day. Since Pac Bo is often done as part of a loop (with Ban Gioc or Nguom Ngao cave), many tourists allocate a morning or afternoon here.

Is Pac Bo kid-friendly?
It can be, if your children are okay with hiking short trails and climbing stairs. The paved path around Lenin Stream is manageable for kids (even strollers in the flatter parts, though you’d have to carry it up to the cave). The cave itself is small, so younger kids may lose interest after a few minutes. There are some steps (around 200 to the cave, though an electric shuttle covers most of it) and riverside spots where kids should be supervised. Generally families do bring school-age children, but toddlers might struggle. Expect no playgrounds, it's a natural site.

When is Pac Bo open and how much is the ticket?
The site opens around 8 AM and closes around 5 PM daily. Admission is about 20,000 VND per adult; children under 10 often enter free, and kids up to about 15 get a small discount. You’ll pay the fee at the entrance booth in the parking area. Note that you can walk freely around the public parts of the trail; there's no separate fee to circle Lenin Stream or to climb Karl Marx Mountain (though a small local guide fee or donation is polite if you ask someone to accompany you).

How do I get from Hanoi to Pac Bo?
The usual route is: Hanoi → Cao Bằng city by long-distance bus, then Cao Bằng → Pac Bo by motorbike or car. Buses to Cao Bằng leave from My Dinh and other Hanoi stations, taking ~68 hours. From Cao Bằng, hire a taxi or ride a rented scooter 50 km north (expect ~90 minutes) along Highway 3. Some travelers do the trip as a private tour or join a Minivan shuttle. If you drive your own motorbike (the adventurous “north loop”), you’ll find the route marked by Ho Chi Minh Road signposts.

Are there any hidden gems nearby?
Since Pac Bo is off the beaten path, many travelers actually highlight the journey itself as memorable. On the way you can detour to visit the Kim Đồng memorial site (a heroic young courier) or explore Sóc Ha valley for rice-field views. If you have a full day, a nearby stop is the Hòn Lê point (Ho Chi Minh’s first stepping-stone). Also, Cao Bằng has beautiful caves (Nguom Ngao, Puong) and Ban Gioc waterfall within 23 hours’ drive, so many visitors combine Pac Bo with those.

Pac Bo may not have been on your radar, but it’s a special blend of history, culture and nature. Walking in the quiet forest by Lenin Stream, beneath rocks touched by the country’s leader, is humbling. This simple valley in the far north embodies Vietnam’s revolutionary spirit while offering one of its most tranquil landscapes. I hope you enjoy your visit. It truly feels like stepping into living history.