Lang Son

Country: Vietnam

Province: Lang Son

Tinh Lang Son Holiday Weather today

Date/time of update: November 5, 2024, 12:59 am, Timezone: GMT+7
Overcast Clouds

Temperature: 19.95°C
Temperature feels like: 19.85°C
Minimum Temperature: 19.95°C
Maximum Temperature: 19.95°C
Atmospheric pressure: 1021hPa
Humidity:71%
Visibility: 10000m
Wind speed: 4.19m/sec
Wind Direction: 33 degrees
Cloudiness: 100%
Sunrise: 2024-11-04 10:59:38
Sunset: 2024-11-05 10:15:32

Lang Son Province is located in the North-East of Vietnam, sharing the border with Cao Bang Province to the north, with China to the east, with Quang Ninh to the southeast, with Bac Giang to the south and with Thai Nguyen and Bac Kan Provinces to the west.

Geography of Lang Son

The terrain of Lang Son is composed of mostly medium mountains. The highest peak is Phia Me, 1,541m above sea level, which belongs to Mau Son Mountain. The terrain altitudes are not consistent with different trends but it is mostly higher to the north and lower to the south.

The center of Lang Son City

There are 5 big river systems in Lang Son: Ky Cung, Thuong, Luc Nam, Nam Luoi – Dong Quy (discharging its water into the Tien Yen – Ba Che River) and Na Lang.

- The Ky Cung River is the biggest river in Lang Son (243km) and among the strangest rivers in Vietnam: it flows “backwards”. The course of the river is from southeast to the northwest, then it makes a curve near That Khe (Trang Dinh) to flow southeastwards into China. This is strange for the general direction of the terrain in Vietnam which is from northwest to the southeast and most rivers flow following this direction.

- The Thuong River starts in the southwest of Lang Son Province and flows into Bac Giang Province. This is a river of the Thai Binh River System in North Vietnam. The Luc Nam River starts in Dinh Lap (Lang Son) and flows into Bac Giang. This is another river of the Thai Binh River System.

The idyllic riverside of Lang Son City Vietnam

Lang Son Climate

Lang Son has a tropical monsoon climate with normally cooler climate and less rainfall than most provinces in northern Vietnam. Lang Son along with Cao Bang and Bac Kan are the first provinces in Vietnam getting hit by the northeasterly monsoon which causes the winter in North Vietnam. The winter in these provinces are longer than the rest of Vietnam. The temperatures range from 28-35oC in the summer (May-July) and 10-18oC in the winter (December-February). The average annual rainfall is 1,200-1,600mm. The average humidity is 80-85%.

People and Population

Lang Son is home to several ethnic groups: Nung (43.9%), Tay (35.3%), Kinh (15.3%), Dao (3.5%), the rest is Hoa, San Chay, Mong and others which account for 1.4% of the provincial population.

Lang Son Travel Guide, Tourist Attractions, What to see in Lang Son

Lang Son is by far only a stop-over for travellers on a journey to or back from Cao Bang and Bac Kan Provinces, while the province and the city itself certainly deserve more time. Those who love straying off from the crowds and who love mountains may find great time in Lang Son with the below attractions.

Scenic mountains at Binh Gia, Lang Son, Vietnam

1/ Mau Son Mountain

Mau Son Mountain with peaks of over 1,541m above sea level, which was built into a hill station by the French, is getting to be a popular destination for Vietnamese tourists nowadays. People travel to Mau Son in the summer to get away from the delta heat and during the cold winter for observing snow.

A French village in thick fog at the Mau Son Hill Station on the Mau Son Mountain, Loc Binh District, Lang Son Province

Mau Son Mountain, Lang Son Province
Mau Son Mountain - Lang Son Province

2/ The city of Lang Son

Lang Son City is a scenic one. Though it's a huge commercial hub between Vietnam and China, Lang Son City still has the tranquility and freshness that not many cities in Vietnam have.

2.1 The To Thi Mountain

A panoramic view of Lang Son City from the To Thi Mountain in the city center

2.2 Nhi Thanh Cave, Tam Thanh Cave, Mac Citadel

There are the Nhi Thanh and Tam Thanh Caves in town and the To Thi Mountain with remaining walls of the former Mac Citadel (16th century). You could easily spend a whole day touring the caves and to have a hiking trip around the To Thi Mountain. From the peak of the mountain, you will be charmed by the panoramic views of the city surrounded by green mountains.

Inside the Tam Thanh Cave in Lang Son City

Entrance to the Nhi Thanh Cave in Lang Son City

2.3 Lang Son Ancient Citadel

Lang Son Ancient Citadel: the wall and the old cannon

Ky Lua night market in Lang Son City

3/ Former Battlefields

The mountains of Huu Lung, Chi Lang, Na Sam, That Khe… which are historical sites where you can learn about the great battles where the Vietnamese fought against foreign invaders. That Khe former French Stronghold and Route 4A were sites of major battles during the Franco – Viet Minh War. Dong Dang Fortress was the site of a fierce battle against the Chinese invaders in 1979.

The Monster Face Mountain (Nui Mat Quy) at the Chi Lang Passage in Lang Son Province which marks several (if not the most) vitally important events during the Vietnamese war history

Na Sam Town, Lang Son Province

That Khe Town was a major French Stronghold on Route 4C (National Road 4A now) during the Franco-Viet Minh War

The Bong Lau Pass, Lung Phay, between Lang Son and Cao Bang with famed battles in the Franco-Viet Minh War

4/ Bac Son Valley (Bac Son District)

Bac Son Valley is in Bac Son District which is 150km from Hanoi via Thai Nguyen and Route 1B, and 80km west of Lang Son City. Bac Son Valley is a lovely photogenic spot and is extremely popular during the golden rice seasons (early July) and late September – early October.

Stunning rice fields at the Bac Son Valley in the eponymous district, Lang Son Province

5/ Huu Lien (Hung Lung District)

Huu Lien offers to the visitors vast green pastures dotted with lakes and several vertically-steep limestone mountains. Huu Lien is a great place for weekend escapes from Hanoi. Rock-climbers will find great challenging experiences at Huu Lien. If you are interested, please contact Paradissa for a customized trip to Huu Lien, Huu Lung, Lang Son.

Spectacular nature at Dong Lam, Huu Lien, Huu Lung District, Lang Son Province

Things to do, Travel and Tours in Lang Son

1/ Adventure Tours: Trekking, Cycling, Rock-climbing

The mountainous landscape of Lang Son which is inhabited by a number of ethnic minorities makes it a huge potential for adventure tours like trekking tours, homestay tours, rock-climbing and mountain bike tours. Paradissa hosts adventure tours to Lang Son and the North-East of Vietnam including trekking tours and bicycle tours of which the duration ranges from 5-7 days.

2/ Battlefield Tours, Historical Tours

Lang Son from the ancient to the recent history of Vietnam has always been among the utmost important pieces of the Vietnamese territory. The province has historical marks of critical periods of the nation’s history, and Lang Son has several sites which mark decisive battles which shape up the Vietnamese course of history. Paradissa has a good number of historical tours and battlefield tours for those who love researching or learning about the Vietnamese history.

The Historical route 4 from Lang Son to Cao Bang (Colonial Route 4 - RC4)

3/ Day Tours from Hanoi

Paradissa offers 1-day historical tours to the Chi Lang Passage and Lang Son City from Hanoi,

4/ Photo Tours to the Bac Son Valley

Paradissa offers 2-day photography tours to the Bac Son Valley from Hanoi. Accommodation is either at local Nung families or at a local family-run hotels with basic facilities.

Bac Son Valley, Lang Son, Vietnam

5/ Luxury Travel

Tourist infrastructure in Lang Son has improved dramatically and except for those on hiking tours with Paradissa, you will have boutique luxury travel services in Lang Son City.

Where to stay, Hotels in Lang Son

Recently, there are many new 3-star and 4-star hotels in Lang Son which may make your stay here more of a luxury experience.

A luxury hotel in the center of Lang Son City

Boutique villas with great mountain views at the Mau Son Mountain in Loc Binh District, Lang Son Province

A boutique hotel at That Khe Township, Trang Dinh District, Lang Son Province

What and Where to Eat, Food and Restaurants in Lang Son

There are several restaurants which cater to tourists now that you’ll have good time tasting different dishes in the city. Lang Son is where you’ll find the strongest Chinese influence in local food.

How to get there and how to travel around Lang Son

1/ By road from China, Hanoi, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen City, and Halong City

The provincial capital of Lang Son is Lang Son City, 150km northeast of Hanoi via Route 1A, 130km south of Cao Bang via Route 4A. The roads are all in good conditions nowadays.

Road to the Chinese border from Lang Son City

Route 4A at Na Sam, Van Lang, Lang Son Province, Vietnam between Lang Son and Cao Bang

Route 1A at Chi Lang (Lang Son) connects Hanoi and Lang Son

We can also reach Lang Son Province via the 100km National Route 1B between Thai Nguyen City and Bac Son Valley (Bac Son District (Lang Son Province). It is 90km from the Bac Son Valley to Lang Son City via National Route 1B and National Route 1A. The landscape on the roadsides is just sensational.