Experience travelling to Ban Gioc waterfall in Cao Bang

Blessed by nature with beauty that is peaceful, gentle, majestic as well as magnificent, Ban Gioc Waterfall is the pride of the Cao Bang people. Not possessing majestic artificial architecture or new experiential services, this place still captivates visitors with its most pristine beauty, fresh air and quiet space to listen thoroughly to the sound of mountains, forests, and streams.

Plan now to have fun at this romantic waterfall with all the tips below:

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1. General information about Ban Gioc Waterfall

Located right in the middle of the Vietnam - China border, Ban Gioc Waterfall has a height of 60m, a width of 300m and three towering limestone floors. Starting from the upstream, large and small waterfalls will flow through layers of rocks with white foam, weave through the green forest and finally fall at the foot of the waterfall in rapid waves like a rain curtain.

So, when is the ideal time to go to Ban Gioc waterfall? The peak time to travel to Cao Bang as well as the most beautiful time to go to the waterfall is from June to February of the following year. This is the period of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season; the waterfall does not run out of water but has a stronger flow, combined with nature that is changing leaves and buds.

2. How to get to Cao Bang and Ban Gioc Waterfall

2.1. Get to Cao Bang
As located in a mountainous province, the railway and airport systems have not yet been developed, so visitors can only travel by road to reach Cao Bang.

Go to Cao Bang by bus
From My Dinh bus station, there are passenger buses to Cao Bang with many options, diverse in bus companies, departure schedules, prices range from 200,000 - 400,000 VND/bed with 7 hours of travel.

Private vehicles
For many young people, the option of driving a motorbike or renting a car to drive to Cao Bang is increasingly popular. You will be proactive in your schedule, save costs and most of all, enjoy the beautiful scenery on every route.

Directions from Hanoi to Cao Bang:
Route 1 (for cars and motorbikes):Travel along the Hanoi - Lang Son highway, then transfer to Highway 14 in the direction of Lang Son to Cao Bang.
Route 2 (for motorbikes): Follow National Highway 13 through Thai Nguyen, Bac Kan and then towards Cao Bang.

2.2. Get to Ban Gioc waterfall

By bus
Easy to travel, with cheap fares and a frequency of 30 minutes/trip. Using buses to Ban Gioc Waterfall is becoming more and more popular. From Cao Bang bus station, you will catch a bus travelling within the province and stop at the last stop - right at the entrance of the waterfall.

A local bus from Cao Bang city to Ban Gioc Waterfall

By private vehicles
You can continue to drive your personal vehicle or rent a motorbike for 100,000 VND/day to travel from Cao Bang City to Ban Gioc Waterfall. The highland roads are relatively bumpy and steep, so please be careful and drive safely!

Enjoy a great scenic view when driving motorbike from Cao Bang city to Ban Gioc waterfall

3. Hotel near Ban Gioc Waterfall

Still not much invested in tourism, most hotels in Cao Bang are in the mid-range or low-cost segment. Ranging under 1,000,000 VND/night, guests will have a comfortable bedroom, located right in the city centre. Or, if you want to experience local life, homestays are also not a bad choice.

Some popular hotels near Ban Gioc Waterfall:

Ban Gioc Quay Son
Address: Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province.
Reference price: From 400,000 VND/night.

Ha Vuong Hotel
Address: DT206, Dam Thuy Ward, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province.
Reference price: From 405,000 VND/night.

Yen Nhi Ban Gioc Homestay
Address: Nguom Ngao, Dam Thuy Ward, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province.
Reference price: From 200,000 VND/night.

Khuoi Ky Eco Homestay
Address: On the way to Nguom Ngao Cave, Dam Thuy Ward, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province.
Reference price: From 150,000 VND/night.

Sai Gon Ban Gioc Resort
Address: Provincial Road 206, Ban Gioc Hamlet, Dam Thuy Ward, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province.
Reference price: From 700,000 VND/night.

Because the number of hotels and homestays in Cao Bang is quite modest, compared to other tourist cities, you should book a room 2 - 4 weeks before departure.

4. What is so attractive about Ban Gioc Waterfall for tourists?
 

4.1. The most beautiful waterfall in Southeast Asia, different in every season

Likened to a white silk strip between the Northeast mountains and forests, Ban Gioc Waterfall possesses both a strong flow and a poetic beauty. Following the flow of the Quay Son River, from the upstream, the water flows strongly, overflowing through the secondary waterfalls, creating strips of different thicknesses, looking from afar like a beautiful natural water curtain.

With the changes of each season, Ban Gioc waterfall and the vegetation here will change correspondingly with their own beauty.

●    June - August is the beginning of the rainy season in Cao Bang, the waterfall has a large volume of water with great flow. You will see streams of water pouring white foam.

●    September - October is when Chongqing is in the ripe rice season. Coming to Ban Gioc this season, you will have the opportunity to see the majestic waterfall highlighted by the golden colour of the poetic fields. October is also the festival season for local people, which is worth experiencing.

●    November - December is the time when Cao Bang's mountains and forests are in leaf-changing season. Coming here in early winter, you will see the gentle Ban Gioc waterfall, surrounded by the extremely romantic yellow and red colours of the forest trees.

●    From January to the end of February, the highlands will enter spring with a gentler flow, clear turquoise water, trees starting to sprout and wild white flowers blooming.

Not only are there differences between seasons, but Ban Gioc Waterfall also has different looks depending on the weather of the day. On cool days, sunlight shines through the misty waterfall, creating shimmering rainbows. Or, on foggy days, the waterfall is immersed in a misty ambience, like a fairyland.

4.2. Fun activities at Ban Gioc Waterfall

Though there are not too many fun experiences like a grand eco-tourism area, Ban Gioc Waterfall still has interesting activities to explore and mingle with nature!

Take a boat trip to see the waterfall
Coming to Ban Gioc, besides admiring this magnificent waterfall from the other side, you should experience the excitement of taking a boat to the foot of the waterfall. Sitting on a motorboat, you will be able to directly watch the fast-flowing waterfall from a height of dozens of metres, feeling large blocks of water pouring noisily onto the calm river surface. This is the time when you can fully feel the vitality of nature, the wildness of the flow contrasting with the peaceful scenery of heaven and earth, grass and trees.

Enjoy a boat trip in Ban Gioc waterfall

Camping
On the way to Ban Gioc Waterfall, you will find some flat and spacious areas to camp or have a picnic during the day. Set up a tent right next to the waterfall, sip a hot cup of coffee, and enjoy a rare quiet moment, while admiring the dreamlike waterfall and forest trees; that’s all we need to escape the chaos in the city!

A small note is that if you want to camp overnight, you should contact travel companies or tours organized by local people to ensure safety.

4.3. Combine visiting other famous tourist destinations

When going to Ban Gioc, tourists can also visit places, located not far from other famous tourist attractions of Cao Bang, such as Pac Po Cave, Truc Lam Ban Gioc Buddhist temple, Nguom Ngao Cave, Ban Viet Lake, Thang Hen Lake, etc. to fully experience the charming beauty of highland nature.

The beauty of Nguom Ngao cave

5. Tips for travelling to Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang

Because Ban Gioc Waterfall is located right at the border area, you should bring all your identification documents to be ready to present when requested.

You need to walk and climb a lot to get to Ban Gioc, so prioritize comfortable, lightweight clothing; Wear soft-soled sneakers and prepare enough hats, sunscreen, and insect spray.

Avoid slipping when playing at the waterfall. Do not go deep into the forest or wade into water without instructions.

Located in the middle of thousands of mountains and deep green forests, Ban Gioc Waterfall looks dreamy and mysterious, beautiful like a fairy tale land, captivating many tourists who come here. If you haven't been to Ban Gioc, you haven't been to Cao Bang. Hurry up! Let Ama Journey to help you exploring the most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam right away!

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