The 2026 “Cao Ly Moonlight Night” brings together camping, moon- gazing, local cultural experiences, agricultural products and sunrise cloud hunting in a series of activities, gradually enriching autumn-winter tourism offerings in Hoanh Mo Commune.
Held on September 26 and 27, the “Cao Ly Moonlight Night” programme featured a range of activities including camping, sightseeing, cultural experiences, ethnic sports, folk games, cuisine, agricultural products, OCOP products and handicrafts, rather than focusing solely on stage performances. Hoanh Mo Commune aims to make the programme a regular feature on full-moon nights, combined with cloud hunting and traditional arts performances.
The appeal of Cao Ly lies in its activities that stretch from afternoon into the following morning. As the sun sets over the mountain slopes, visitors pitch their tents, take in the scenery and wait for the moon to rise. Against this backdrop, folk songs and dances, traditional costumes and the cultural values of the Dao, San Chi and Tay ethnic groups create an authentic highland night. Culture is not confined to the stage but blends into the surrounding mountain landscape, allowing visitors to enjoy traditional arts while experiencing the unique atmosphere of the destination.
Local specialties further enrich the experience. Food, OCOP products and handicrafts give visitors a closer look at the flavours and livelihoods of the highlands. A highlight was the “Pumpkin Queen” contest, which added a distinctive touch while promoting local agricultural products. The activity also draws attention to Cao Son, where agricultural models, flower gardens and Atlantic Giant pumpkins are being developed as tourism products.
The experience of the “Cao Ly Moonlight Night” does not end when the artistic performances are over. Following the overnight camping, visitors can go cloud hunting, watch the sunrise and explore the landscape on foot. Visitors head up the mountain as afternoon falls, enjoy the moonlight night, sleep amid nature and wake up to clouds drifting across the mountains. This seamless sequence of experiences sets Cao Ly apart from destinations that visitors simply visit for a short photo opportunity.
Hoanh Mo Commune is developing a system of tourism products under the programme “One Commune, Ward and Special Zone, One Distinctive Tourism Product”. In early September 2026, a municipal tourism delegation surveyed destinations in Hoanh Mo. The site hosting the “Cao Ly Moonlight Night” covers about 1.3 hectares at an altitude of 1,118 metres and has potential for camping, stargazing and cloud hunting.
Looking further ahead, Hoanh Mo aims to expand its tourism offerings through the “Two Countries – One Destination” Hoanh Mo–Dong Zhong route, registered for implementation in 2026. Once infrastructure and operations are in place, the route can link the border gate, Cao Son and Khe Tien with Cao Ly and experiences across the border. A moonlight night on the mountaintop can then become part of a broader journey through the border region.
By Pham Hoc
