Bang River Walking Street – where Cao Bang City Reconnects with Its River
Cao Bang City was born beside a river. The Bang River embraces the heart of this mountain town, but for many years, locals mostly only saw it from the bridge above. Since 2022, things have changed. A stone-paved path now runs right along the water’s edge, lights line the riverbank, and music fills the air every weekend evening. Bang River Walking Street has brought the people of Cao Bang back to their river. If you want to experience this mountain town at its most relaxed pace, come here just as the sun goes down.
Where Is It, and What Does It Connect To?
Bang River Walking Street sits in the city center, in what used to be Hop Giang Ward and is now part of Thuc Phan Ward. The city has two walking streets in the same area: Kim Dong Street, about 600m long and opened in 2019, which connects directly to the Bang River walking street, about 800m long and opened in 2022.
The two streets run right into each other, so you can easily walk the whole loop. On one side is the bustling street life, with food stalls and folk games. On the other is the open riverbank, cool breezes, and water shimmering with light.
A 10th Birthday Gift for the City
On September 23, 2022, Cao Bang City inaugurated Bang River Walking Street to mark 10 years of the city’s construction and development (September 25, 2012 – September 25, 2022).
Construction began in December 2020, with a total budget of around 100 billion VND. The street averages 8m in width, with 3 boat landings, numerous flower beds, greenery, and a system of streetlights and decorative lighting. The whole area covers more than 2.5 hectares along the riverbank.
From a Forgotten Riverbank to a Shared Public Space
The most memorable part of this street’s story is its transformation. The Bang River’s bank used to be dark, littered with trash, and known as a gathering spot for drug users. Today, it is a vibrant, welcoming space for the whole community.
A journalist visiting from Thai Nguyen noted that since the walking street opened, the spiritual life of Cao Bang’s residents has grown richer. People have become more open, confident, and full of energy. As you stroll here, you’re walking along a riverbank that the entire city has “reclaimed” for itself.
When Should You Visit?
Both walking streets operate from 7pm to 11pm every Friday and Saturday night. That said, the riverside path remains open to walkers during the day as well. Early morning or late afternoon is ideal for a stroll, a jog, or simply sitting and watching the river.
The Bang River can rise quickly during the rainy season. In late 2025, Kim Dong Walking Street had to close for more than a month due to the effects of storms No. 10 and No. 11. If you’re visiting during the rainy season, check conditions beforehand and avoid going near the water’s edge when the river is high.
What Can You Experience on the Riverside Street?
Take in the River and Mountain Views
The simplest experience here is also the most rewarding. The path and paved plaza are laid out naturally, interspersed with flower beds, greenery, and decorative lights. Looking out toward the river, you’ll see calm waters framed by the green mountains surrounding the city.
Editor’s tip: arrive a little before 7pm. You’ll catch the sunset falling over the river, then watch the lights along the bank switch on one by one. The moment when evening turns to night beside the Bang River is when this mountain town looks its most beautiful.
Dance with the Locals
Around 8pm, the music starts up. Along the riverbank, local dance groups move to the beat with real energy. They often reach out and invite visitors to join in, chatting warmly along the way. These groups are given designated spaces to perform and receive support from the city to purchase sound equipment.
Whether you’re a great dancer or a clumsy one, just say yes. No one’s keeping score here — only laughter and the warm hospitality of the mountain town’s people.
Listen to Street Music
Near the boat landings, you’ll often come across groups of young people playing guitar and singing, raising funds for children in difficult circumstances. Stopping to listen to a song and contributing a small donation is a simple way to make your trip a little more meaningful.
Release Floating Lanterns on the River
On special occasions, the Bang River comes alive with floating lanterns. In April 2026, an event releasing 5,000 floating lanterns onto the Bang River drew large crowds of visitors who got to release lanterns themselves. If your trip happens to coincide with an event like this, don’t miss the sight of thousands of tiny lights drifting across the water.
Combine It with Kim Dong Street
Just a few steps away, you’ll find yourself on Kim Dong Walking Street. There you’ll find food stalls, folk games like bamboo pole dancing, O An Quan, Lay Co, and performers singing Then and playing the tinh tau. The best approach is to have dinner and enjoy the games on Kim Dong Street, then head to the riverbank to catch the breeze, dance, and listen to music.
Major festivals and events
National Day (September 2): Kim Dong Street and the riverside street along the Bang River host community performances, cultural exchanges among ethnic groups, sports competitions, and folk games such as tug of war, bamboo raft racing, “lay co” (a traditional hand game), ring tossing, and chicken-coop weaving, alongside a showcase of OCOP products and traditional cuisine.
In 2026, the celebration features the art performance “Hao Khi Song Bang” (“Spirit of the Bang River”) on the night of August 28, a bamboo raft race and chicken-coop weaving contest from August 29 to 31, and an activity where visitors can release 3,000 sky lanterns by hand. The bamboo raft race on the Bang River is a sight well worth seeing, as bamboo rafts were once the everyday means of transport for highland communities.
Lunar New Year (Tet): Both streets come alive with a festive atmosphere, and the riverbank is the perfect spot for a leisurely spring stroll.
A few tips for your trip
- Safety: Keep an eye on young children near the water’s edge and boat landings.
- Weather: The river breeze can get quite cold at night, especially in winter, so bring a jacket.
- Photography: Bang Giang Bridge and the lights reflecting on the river surface make for beautiful shots. Ask for permission before taking close-up photos of dance groups.
- Etiquette: Help keep the area clean and avoid littering into the river. This street was once a trash-strewn riverbank, so keeping it clean is a way of honoring the whole city’s efforts.
- Accommodation: There are plenty of hotels around the street, just a few dozen to a few hundred meters away. Book ahead on weekends.
- Combine your visit: Spend the day exploring the King Le Temple, Dong Lan Pagoda, or the Nam Lin Historical Site on the outskirts of the city, then return to the riverside in the evening to relax.
The Bang River Walking Street has no ancient relics or thousand-year-old legends. Its story is simpler and more personal: a small city that transformed a forgotten riverbank into a place where everyone comes together to dance, sing, and watch the sunset. When you visit Cao Bang, set aside one evening to sit by the Bang Giang River. You’ll understand why the local people love their city so much.
