Ban Gioc Waterfall is one of Vietnam’s most impressive natural sights. Located in the northeastern province of Cao Bang, the falls are 30 metres high and 300 metres across, making Ban Gioc the widest (but not the highest) waterfall in the country. The falls occur on the Quay Son River, a beautiful jade-blue body of water flowing from China through a pastoral landscape of rice fields and bamboo groves surrounded by limestone pinnacles. Despite improved road access and public transportation connections, and the popularity of several recent viral drone videos showcasing the majesty of the falls, Ban Gioc is still a relatively off-the-beaten-path sight. Mass tourism has yet to arrive and, outside of weekends and public holidays, there’s rarely more than a trickle of foreign and domestic visitors.
Why travelers should once see Ban Gioc waterfall?
The Quay Son river originates in China and snakes its way through five Vietnamese communes before returning to China. The river branches off at Dam Thuy commune, winds through the mountains, and descends at Ban Gioc waterfall. Ban Gioc waterfall is the highlight of Cao Bang provincial tourism development. Initiatives have been made to attract investment to this area. We, the border guards, are working to maintain security at Ban Gioc waterfall
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Best time to visit
Like any of the other waterfalls in Vietnam, Ban Gioc has a period of low and high water levels, depending on the season you are visiting. But you can visit the waterfall all year round, because there is always water, but there are times when you can experience the very best version of Ban Gioc.
Cao Bang has a wet season from June to September, and a dry season from October to May. In the first period you clearly see a larger waterfall. This force also brings more soil, which means that the water usually gets a dark brown color.
During the dry season there is less rain and the weather is much cooler. The water has nice blue hues this season, but the problem with this season is the amount of water.
The best time to visit Ban Gioc waterfall is around August and September, the perfect combination when there is a lot of water and the color is clear and blue. You will also find beautiful rice fields in Ban Gioc during this season.
1. Trekking up Ban Gioc Temple
When you have explored Ban Gioc you can go to the best viewpoint of the waterfall. You can find this view from the Truc Lam Phat Tich pagoda, also known as the Ban Gioc temple. From the waterfall you go back to the main road and follow it about 600 m back towards Cao Bang until you come to a turn to the left with a few souvenir and food stalls. This is the access road to the Truc Lam pagoda, also called the Ban Gioc temple. When you reach the top, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama that looks straight down into the valley and the Ban Gioc waterfall.
2. Exploring Nguom Ngao cave
At only three kilometers from the Ban Gioc waterfall you will find the impressive limestone Nguom Ngao cave. With a total length of more than 2,100 meters, it is an ideal place for cave lovers. You can walk through a large part of the cave that is beautifully lit and very impressive. The cave is remarkable, thanks in part to the water dripping through the limestone walls, but this can also ensure that the path can sometimes be very slippery.
3. Visiting Phong Nam valley
Even though the Phong Nam valley is just 10 km from the Ban Gioc waterfall, there is a very big change you will not find any tourist in this area.
4. Addmiring Nui Thung mountain
The Nui Thung mountain (60 km from Ban Gioc) is another hidden paradise hardly known by the tourist crowds. This mountain, also called Angel Eye mountain, has a huge whole in the center of the mountain. It is not only a great spot to make some photos, but the complete hidden valley is absolutely beautiful. Rich of forest, high mountain, lakes, plains and small villages of minority.
5. Unwinding in Thang Hen Lake
The Thang Hen Lake is right next to Nui Thung mountain. It is the biggest lake of a complete system of 36 lakes in Tinh Coc valley (Cao Bang). You can take a boat trip over the lake or relax by the water’s edge with beautiful views of the mountains that are being reflected in the lake.
6. Pac Bo Historical Monument
Pac Bo cave where Uncle Ho stayed and contemplated the future of a revolution is recognized as a national historical monument. In addition to the cave, Pac Bo site includes Lenin stream, Uncle Ho commemoration house, Lung Lan cave,… Here lies the most credible evidence of Uncle Ho’s plain lifestyle, his major contribution to the war as well as his plans for better civic welfare.
Most people get to the Ban Gioc Waterfall from the Vietnamese side as it is close to its capital city, Hanoi. First, head to Cao Bang city from Hanoi. Then, take a bus that will drop you off at the falls.
Hanoi to Cao Bang city
The most convenient way to Cao Bang city is to take a bus from Hanoi’s My Dinh Bus Station. Buses depart almost every hour throughout the day to Cao Bang city. Since the journey takes approximately six to eight hours, it is advisable to take an overnight bus which can save you an overnight stay in Cao Bang city. If you’re picturing spending a night on a bus in an uncomfortable upright position, don’t worry. Vietnam’s sleeper buses are known to be comfortable, with seats that can recline almost all the way flat.
Cao Bang city to Ban Gioc Waterfall
Ban Gioc Waterfall is about 90 kilometres east of Cao Bang city. The easiest way to get to the waterfall is to arrange a day trip with your accommodation. Most accommodations offer trips to the falls by hired car with a driver.
No flight
The most popular and best way how to reach Cao Bang and Ban Gioc Waterfall is to travel by sleeper bus or private minivan. Travel by sleeper tourist bus from Hanoi to Cao Bang takes about 8-10 hours and buses depart from My Dinh Bus Station and arrive to Cao Bang Station. There is also a sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ban Gioc waterfall. Bus tickets from Hanoi to Cao Bang start already at $8-11/pp.
Another way is to travel by private taxi/van to Ban Gioc Waterfall from Ha Noi or Noi Bai International Airport. Travel time by private taxi/minvan from Hanoi to Ban Gioc Waterfall is about 10 hours àn it costs about $198-275/car.
You can search and book bus tickets or taxi/minivan from Hanoi to Cao Bang + Ban Gioc Waterfall online easily. Lets contact to us TamCocTravel
You can also travel by train + bus but only via Lang Son. Lang Son has the closest railway station to Cao bang town, about 125 km is travel distance. From Lang Son to Cao Bang you can travel by bus, there is no train to Cao Bang town.
Because Ban Gioc waterfall is loacated deeply and so far from the central city area of Cao Bang, the best and easiest way to travel ad explore around Ban Gioc waterfall is by bus and motorbike.
