Ban Gioc Waterfall Voyage Tips and guide

Ban Gioc Waterfall (Thác Bản Giốc) is the largest natural waterfall in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. It is located in Đàm Thủy Commune, Trùng Khánh District, Cao Bằng Province, about 335 km from Hanoi. The falls straddle the border between Vietnam and China, where they are also known as Detian Falls on the Chinese side. Ban Gioc was listed among the world’s most beautiful waterfalls by Travel + Leisure in 2024.

Ban Gioc Waterfall stretches over 300 meters across multiple limestone layers, with the Quây Sơn River splitting into three cascades that drop about 30 meters. The surrounding landscape is part of the Cao Bằng Global Geopark, recognized by UNESCO for its geological significance. The area is home to the Tày ethnic group and has historical importance as a battleground during the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War.

• Rainy season (May–Sep): Water volume is at its highest, creating a dramatic but sometimes muddy spectacle.
• Dry season (Oct–Apr): Water flow remains strong, the river becomes clear turquoise, and surrounding fields often turn golden during harvest.

The period from September to October is considered the best compromise, with full waterfalls, pleasant weather, and colorful rice paddies.

• From Hanoi:
  • Sleeper bus or limousine van from Mỹ Đình station takes 6–9 hours to Cao Bằng City (300,000–500,000 VND).
  • Private car (6–7 hours) is the fastest but most expensive option.

• From Cao Bằng City:
  • Local bus to Ban Gioc costs around 85,000 VND (2–3 hours).
  • Taxi costs around 700,000 VND one-way.
  • Motorbike rental is about 200,000 VND/day; recommended only for experienced drivers.

The falls are 83 km northeast of Cao Bằng City. Visitors must carry passports as the area lies in an international border zone.

• Entrance: 45,000 VND (adults), 20,000 VND (children 1–1.3 m).
• Bamboo raft: 50,000 VND per person.
• Parking: 10,000 VND per motorbike.

• Bamboo raft ride: For 50,000 VND per person, local boats bring visitors close to the main cascade.
• Photography: Best light is early morning or late afternoon. The panoramic viewpoint from Phật Tích Trúc Lâm Pagoda offers a full view of the falls.
• Nguom Ngao Cave: About 3 km away, this 2 km limestone cave features impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
• Khuổi Kỵ Stone Village: A Tay ethnic village with traditional stone stilt houses, located 3 km from the waterfall.
• Trúc Lâm Pagoda: Built in traditional Vietnamese style, overlooking Ban Gioc and the border landscape.

The Ban Gioc Waterfall Festival is held annually in September in Trùng Khánh District. It features traditional Tày music, Then singing, local food, and cultural performances.

Most hotels are in Cao Bằng City, 80–90 km away (e.g., Max Boutique, Sunny, Thanh Loan). Near the falls, only simple guesthouses and homestays are available, especially in Phia Thắp incense village or Khuổi Kỵ village. Accommodation is basic, often with shared facilities.

• Swimming is prohibited for safety reasons.
• Passports must be carried at all times in this border zone.
• Drone flying is not allowed near the waterfall.
• Weather and road conditions can be challenging during the rainy season.

• Phong Nam Valley: Scenic karst and rice-field landscapes.
• Thang Hen Lake system: 36 interconnected lakes amid karst peaks, ~40 km from Ban Gioc.
• Quảng Uyên craft villages: Known for incense, forging, and papermaking.
• Bản Việt Lake: A small artificial lake with maple forests, colorful in winter.

This topic may not meet our article criteria and should be merged into Cao Bang. Relevant content from here and any new content should be placed at Cao Bang. You can help by copying any relevant information from this page to the new page. Please direct any opinions to the talk page and gain consensus before removing this tag. Reason for merging: Ban Gioc Waterfall is already included in Cao Bang, and people will visit from there on a day trip.