Binh Lieu

NKSTTSSHNVN · CC BY-SA 4.0

A mountainous border district with a 'dinosaur spine' ridge and white reed grass in November.

Binh Lieu is in the north-eastern corner of Quang Ninh, on the border, and it looks nothing like the usual picture of this province — no sea here, only mountains, terraced fields and villages of Tay, Dao and San Chi people. They call it the Sa Pa of Quang Ninh. The best-known feature is the border patrol road running along the ridge to marker 1305, a narrow strip of concrete winding along the crest with drops on both sides — backpackers call it the dinosaur spine. In November the slopes turn white with reed grass, and that is when Binh Lieu is at its busiest.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Binh Lieu?

November (reed grass) or October (ripe rice)

How long do you need at Binh Lieu?

2 days

What are the opening hours of Binh Lieu?

All day; visit the markers in daylight

Did you know

Binh Lieu is a mountainous district in the north-eastern corner of Quang Ninh, on the border.
Its people are mainly Tay, Dao and San Chi.
The border patrol road up to marker 1305 runs along the ridge, nicknamed the dinosaur spine.
Reed grass turns the slopes white around November.

Travel tips

Come in November for the reed grass — it is the main reason people make the trip.
The roads up to the markers are narrow, steep and unrailed; do not go in thick fog.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%ACnh_Li%C3%AAu

Updated: 2026-08-16