Ma Phuc Pass
Đèo Mã Phục
Ma Phuc Pass
Đèo Mã Phục
A picturesque 7-tier winding pass, serving as an important UNESCO geological site in Cao Bằng Province.
Cao Bằng
Mountain Pass
Photography & Road Trips
Ma Phuc Pass is one of the most impressive roads in Cao Bằng Province, renowned for its sharp turns and historical significance. Located on Highway No. 3, it connects Hòa An and Trà Lĩnh districts and serves as a cultural meeting point for ethnic minority communities. It is not just a transportation artery, but a natural heritage site where you can see unique geological traces of the Earth's ancient volcanic activity.
- Duration
1–2 hours
- Average Budget
Free
- Admission
Free
- Altitude
700 m a.s.l.
- Best Months
Oct – Apr
- Local Language
Vietnamese
What You Need to Know
The 3.5 km long pass is famous for its "seven-tier" serpentine road. From a geological perspective, it is a crucial site of the Non Nước Cao Bằng Geopark: 260 million years ago, submarine volcanoes erupted here, leaving behind a combination of white limestone and black basalt.
The name "Ma Phuc" (meaning "kneeling horse") is tied to a legend about the hero Nùng Chí Cao, while today the summit of the pass is known for its traditional market held according to the lunar calendar (on the 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd, and 28th days). Here, members of the Nùng, Tày, and Dào ethnic groups trade local produce, knives, and handicrafts.
The dry season provides clear skies and the safest conditions for driving through the narrow hairpin turns.
On Site
- Getting There
Private car, taxi, or motorbike
- Caution
Dangerous road, many sharp turns
- Clothing
Layered, it gets cool in the mountains
- Cash
Essential for the market
- Connectivity
Mobile 4G
- Safety
Do not stop for photos in dangerous spots