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Ban Gioc Waterfall - Vietnam's Great Fall In Cao Bang
The whole province of Cao Bang is already stunning with emerald lakes, limestone karst cliffs, amazing caves, and to top it off Ban Gioc Water Fall - a stunning natural wonder located on the border between Vietnam and China. Ban Gioc Waterfall is situated in the northeastern part of Vietnam in the Trung Khanh District of Cao Bang Province. It straddles the border with China, with the waterfall itself being divided between the two countries.
Ban Gioc is the fourth-largest transnational waterfall in the world, with a height of 30 meters (98 feet) and a width of about 300 meters (984 feet). The waterfall is the widest waterfall in Vietnam, surrounded by lush green forests, karst limestone formations, and rice paddies.
Ban Gioc Waterfall
When to visit Ban Gioc waterfall
Located in the north, the weather in Cao Bang is divided into 2 distinct seasons: rainy season and dry season.
Rainy season, from June to September, is typically the best time to visit Ban Gioc waterfall, when the Quay Son River swells and the waterfall has a more majestic and powerful flow. It tends to be less crowded during the rainy season, which means you can enjoy the natural beauty of the waterfall and its surroundings with more tranquility.
If you prefer outdoor activities, you could visit Ban Gioc waterfall during dry season, from October to May, as Cao Bang steps into autumn. October is also when Ban Gioc Waterfall Festival takes place.
How to reach Ban Gioc waterfall
From Ha Noi
To get to Ban Gioc waterfall, you first need to get to Cao Bang. You can take a long-distance bus or a minivan from Hanoi to Cao Bang. There are several bus companies that operate this route. The journey typically takes around 7-8 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions, so we recommend getting on a comfortable sleeper bus from My Dinh Bus Station.
Once you got to Cao Bang city, you can either take buses or private vehicles to Ban Gioc waterfall. There are public buses that operate between Cao Bang City and Ban Gioc Waterfall and a bus ride can take approximately 3-4 hours. You can hire a private car to take you to Ban Gioc Waterfall. This option provides more flexibility and comfort, and the journey also takes around 3-4 hours.
Some travelers prefer to rent a motorbike or scooter in Cao Bang City and make the scenic ride to Ban Gioc Waterfall. This can be a more adventurous option, and it allows you to explore the countryside at your own pace. If you're driving all the way from Hanoi, get on Highway QL3 to Cao Bang, then turn left on Road DT206 to arrive at Trung Khanh District before reaching the waterfall.
From Ha Giang
Ha Giang and Cao Bang are neighboring provinces of the Northwest mountainous region of Vietnam, so people tend to include both of them in their road trip. To get to Ban Gioc waterfall, first you also need to get to Cao Bang, which is approximately 250 km from Ha Giang. There aren't many buses to take between these two cities however, the only option available is a 30-seater which could be uncomfortable. So we recommend renting a private car or get there on 2 wheels.
By motorbike, you can take the Highway QL34 to Cao Bang, where you will stay the night, you can resume the trip the next day, because riding a motorbike takes a lot of effort, especially with the current road conditions.
If you're not an experienced driver and you prefer comfort, why not get a private vehicle, maybe through a travel agency. They will not only help you get there but also take care of everything else like accomodation, food, where to go, etc. If that sounds like your thing, check out Vietnam Original Travel, who specializes in customized tours.
What to do at Ban Gioc Waterfall
Visit Phat Tich Buddhist Pagoda
Located approximately 500 meters from Ban Gioc Waterfall, Phat Tich Truc Lam Pagoda has become a famous tourist destination, even though it hasn't been built for a long time.
Currently, this pagoda includes an Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue, and multiple shrines dedicated to historical figures and heroes, like Hung Kings, Tran Hung Dao and the Nung hero named Tri Cao, who played a significant role in protecting the ethnic people and is a significant symbol of the culture of the people of Cao Bang. Furthermore, this temple is established with the purpose of affirming the national sovereignty and the identity of the Vietnamese people at the border.
Phat Tich Truc Lam Pagoda
Ban Gioc Waterfall Festival
Ban Gioc Waterfall Festival is an annual event that takes place every October in Trung Khanh District. This is a festival where people pray for harmony, peace, and prosperity at the Phat Tich Truc Lam Pagoda, and participate in other cultural activities like a photography exhibition, sports competitions, folk singing and dancing contests. Tourists can also take part in these activities and in games like tug of war, raft racing, blindfolded duck catching, etc.
Ban Gioc Waterfall Festival
Go for a raft tour
It would be a pity to miss out on a raft tour while visiting Ban Gioc Waterfall, as it allows you to have an upclose look at the waterfall, and to soak up all its beauty and splendour. Each ride on the bamboo raft lasts around 20 minutes, which costs 300.000 VND for a raft that can take up to 12 people at a time. If you're traveling in smaller groups, it costs 50.000 VND / person for a 6-people ride. As you float on the water you will get to immerse in pristine nature as you feel cool mists on your skin, and roaring sounds of the waterfalls in your ears.
Ban Gioc Waterfall Raft Tour
What to visit around Ban Gioc waterfall
Nguom Ngao Cave
Nguom Ngao Cave is situated in the Trung Khanh District of Cao Bang Province, which is known for its scenic beauty, including limestone karst formations and serene landscapes. The cave is a karst formation, created over millions of years through the dissolution of limestone rocks. It features numerous stalactites and stalagmites, which have taken on various shapes and sizes due to the slow dripping of water and the deposition of minerals. The interior of Nguom Ngao Cave is adorned with intricate and ornate formations. The colorful stalactites and stalagmites are illuminated with subtle lighting, creating a surreal and enchanting atmosphere.
Nguom Ngao Cave
Thang Hen Lake
Thang Hen Lake is a system made up of 36 smaller fresh water lakes, situated in Tra Linh commune, about 30 km from Cao Bang city center. The lake takes on the form of a large diamond, and its water flows from a nearby extensive cave. As a result, the water impressively maintains its distinct emerald hue, whether it's flood season or dry season, a characteristic no other lake boasts.
Thang Hen Lake is also associated with a fascinating local folklore passed down by the people of Cao Bang. In this beautiful land, there was a young Tay ethnic man named Sung, who died on his way from Cao Bang back to the capital, but the 36 steps he made before his tragic death formed 36 different-sized lakes, now known to be Thang Hen Lake.
Thang Hen Lake
Khuoi Ky stone village
Khuoi Ky Stone Village, located in Na Hang District of Tuyen Quang Province, is a unique and culturally significant destination in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam. The village is renowned for its well-preserved stone houses, which are constructed using large stones, wooden beams, and thatched roofs. These stone houses are a testament to the traditional architecture and building techniques of the local ethnic communities. Khuoi Ky Stone Village is home to the Tay ethnic minority community, which is known for their traditional crafts, such as weaving, brocade making, and farming. Visitors can observe these crafts and purchase locally made products as souvenirs.
Khuoi Ky Stone Village
Final thoughts
Visiting Ban Gioc Waterfall offers a unique opportunity to witness the power and beauty of nature in a breathtaking setting, as well as to explore the cultural richness of the region. It has become an increasingly popular destination for tourists seeking to experience the natural splendor of northern Vietnam. We hope this helped you with your next visit to Ban Gioc Waterfall. If you're interested in other parts of Vietnam's Northern mountainous region, read further:
