The first stop on our tour of Mong Cai is Tra Co ward, a place associated with the symbol of Vietnam’s sovereignty, Cape Sa Vy, your first stroke in drawing the mapof Vietnam, and with Tra Co church and communal house, which bear distinctive Vietnamese cultural characteristics. Tourists like to snap a photo of the Mong Cai border marker and a sign which signals Vietnam’s sovereignty.

Mong Cai was blessed by nature with one of the longest beaches in Vietnam. Tra Co beach is unspoiled and romantic. Nguyen Thuy Linh, who works for the Open Tour Company, says:“Tra Co beach is very special and the longest beach in Vietnam. Tra Co beach is very close to the border. From the beach, you can see China. Near Tra Co beach are many beautiful spots- Sa Vy, Cape Ngoc, the Tra Co communal house, and ancient church”. 

Tra Co beach, Mong Cai, Quang Ninh.

Visitors can’t resist the temptation to sample the delicious local food. Nguyen Viet Duc from the Huu Nghi Travel Company in Quang Ninh says: “Seafood in Mong Cai is prepared differently from elsewhere. Mong Cai is famous for mixed seafood porridge and for Chinese food. Seafood porridge in Mong Cai contains seafood, other types of meat such as pork, and vegetables”.

The Mong Cai border gate is the only international gate in Vietnam located in a city. Through a simple administrative procedure, tourists can arrange to go to China. Nguyen Thuy Linh says: “If you want to go through the Mong Cai international border gate to China’s Dongxing province, you have to submit an ID card and a photo for a visa. The border gate closes at 4 pm every day so our customers usually go to China in the morning to visit the Square, the city hall, Bei Lun avenue and Dongxing market”.

A tour of Mong Cai would be incomplete without visiting the Mong Cai trading center, known as Mong Cai market, where a vast range of products made in Vietnam and China are available at reasonable prices. Ms Linh says: “In Mong Cai, there are many other markets, but Mong Cai trading center is the most popular. This market is open from 7 to 12 o’clock. Customers can buy a lot of things made in Vietnam and China”.

Mong Cai border gate- Photo:tasstravel.vn

Many tourists prefer to explore Mong Cai city by motorbike. 30 km from the city center is Bac Son commune of Hai Son district. Tran Dang Ngoc, who is a tourist, says: “I like the road to this mountain commune. It’s sloppy but easy to go. The mountain landscape is magnificent and romantic. This is the season of purple wild flowers so the scenery there is very inspiring”.

Mong Cai city, the meeting place of rivers, mountains, plains and sea, has become a popular tourist destination. In addition to its beautiful natural setting, the city inspires tourists with its ancient pagodas and temples. The city is a must-see for travelers.

VOV World