All things need to know before travelling to Ban Gioc Waterfall
1. Where is Ban Gioc Waterfall?
Ban Gioc Waterfall is a famous majestic waterfall in Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province. The waterfall is located about 90 km northeast of Cao Bang city center and about 333 km north of Hanoi capital. This is the most beautiful waterfall in Southeast Asia and the 4th largest waterfall in the world.
2. How is Ban Gioc waterfall unique?
Among the four mountains, forests, clouds and sky in Northeast Vietnam, Ban Gioc waterfall stands out like a white silk strip in the middle of a beautiful natural picture like a fairyland. Having become the common pride of Cao Bang for a long time, Ban Gioc waterfall today is attracting a large number of tourists to visit every year.
From China’s point of view, the main waterfall and the waterfall are two separate waterfalls, the main waterfall (Duc Thien) has a width of 100 m, a depth of 60 m and a height of 70 m. From the Vietnamese perspective, the Ban Gioc waterfall includes both main and secondary waterfalls with a total width of 208 m. Ban Gioc waterfall is divided into two parts. The southern part is called Cao waterfall. The Low Waterfall is the main waterfall located on the northern border of Vietnam and China.
It’s worth a visit Ban Gioc waterfall
Ban Gioc Waterfall is one of the fourth largest waterfalls on the border between countries. (After the Iguazu Falls between Brazil – Argentina, Victoria Falls between Zambia – Zimbabwe and Niagara Falls between Canada and the United States). However, according to Xinhua, Ban Gioc waterfall is the second largest waterfall in the world. Ban Gioc Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia. Ban Gioc Waterfall is located on the flow of the Qui Son River.
This river originates from China, flowing toward the border of the two countries and then into Vietnam. The territory at Po Peo in Ngoc Khe commune, Trung Khanh district. From Ngoc Khe commune, the river flows through the communes of Dinh Phong, Chi Vien, Dam Thuy commune.
The river is hovering at the foot of Co Dong Mountain and through the fields of Dam Thuy, through the cornfield in Ban Gioc village, back Borderline and then split into several branches. The river suddenly fell down about 35 m, forming the Ban Gioc waterfall. After dropping down to the foot of the falls, the river turns completely into China territory.
On sunny days, the steam from the falls creates rainbows. In the middle of the waterfall is the Vietnam-China border marker. This milestone was determined by the Treaty on the Border between the two countries in 1999.
3. When is the best time to visit Ban Gioc waterfall?
With windy terrain and humid subtropical climate, Cao Bang has two distinct seasons: rainy season and dry season. The scenery at Ban Gioc waterfall is beautiful in every season, each season has its own charm.
- From June to September, Ban Gioc Cao Bang waterfall receives showers, strong water flow, white foam, ideal for admiring the majestic beauty of nature.
- From September onwards, Ban Gioc Waterfall will enter autumn, the weather is quite cool, pleasant, and dry. This is also the season of ripe rice in Chongqing. You will both admire the majestic Ban Gioc waterfall and watch the golden rice fields.
- Especially in early October, there is also the extremely exciting Ban Gioc waterfall festival of Cao Bang people. This is an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the vibrant festive activities of local people in the beautiful space of Ban Gioc waterfall.
- In late fall and early winter, the trees here are in the season of changing leaves, the air is fresh, and the red and yellow colors are attractive, which will make you extremely satisfied when you come here.
4. How to get to Ban Gioc waterfall?
4.1 Traveling by bus:
Ban Gioc Cao Bang Waterfall is located about 333 km from Hanoi capital, if you travel by car or bus, it takes about 7 hours to travel. Visitors can catch a bus from Hanoi to Cao Bang City at My Dinh bus station. The bus usually leaves around 8pm, so you can save time exploring and maintain your health.
4.2 Traveling by motorcycles:
If you want to ride a motorbike to Ban Gioc Cao Bang Waterfall by yourself, you can follow National Highway 1A to Bac Giang Lang Son Highway. Then follow National Highway 4A to Dong Khe town, follow DT208 to Hoa Thuan town, turn left onto National Highway 3. From here, you go about 21.3km more then turn right to Dam Thuy to reach the waterfall. By motorbike, you can combine Ha Giang, Bac Kan or Lang Son to make the trip longer.
In addition, you can refer to some other routes below:
- From National Highway 3 and National Highway 1B: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – That Khe – Trung Khanh – Ban Gioc (distance about 330 km).
- From National Highway 3: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Bac Kan – Cao Bang – Trung Khanh – Ban Gioc (distance about 360 km).
4.3 Traveling by plane:
Tourists from the Central and Southern provinces of Vietnam can choose to fly to Hanoi by plane. This is the optimal choice because it saves a lot of time and health when traveling. After landing at Noi Bai airport – Hanoi, you can catch a bus to move back to Cao Bang using the means mentioned above.
5. Activities and experiences at Ban Gioc waterfall
5.1 Taking a boat to admire the waterfall:
Coming to Ban Gioc, sitting on a motorboat and watching the fast-flowing waterfall from a height of several dozen meters is one of the experiences not to be missed. Large blocks of water rushing down the calm river will make you feel the intense and wild vitality of nature amidst the peaceful sky and green grass and trees.
5.2 Camping:
Organizing a picnic during the day or camping overnight right next to the waterfall is also an activity that many tourists choose when coming here. With your companions, admiring the dreamlike scenery of mountains and waterfalls, sipping a glass of spicy wine will make you feel more refreshed and peaceful than ever.
5.3 Taking virtual live photos:
There’s nothing more beautiful than standing in front of a gorgeous background of a flowing white waterfall, mixed with lush green plants. You definitely have to take beautiful photos at Ban Gioc Cao Bang Waterfall to save as memories.
6. Specialties when traveling to Ban Gioc waterfall
When traveling to Ban Gioc waterfall, visitors not only have the opportunity to admire the majestic waterfall but also have the opportunity to enjoy the specialties of this beautiful land.
6.1 Cao Bang rice rolls
Banh cuon eaten with a bowl of simmered bone soup is extremely delicious, sweet, and full of local flavor.
6.2 Khau Nhuc
Khau Nhuc is a traditional dish of the Tay people. This is a dish of pork belly stewed in water, not at all greasy, rich in flavor, and extremely delicious when eaten with white rice.
6.3 Grilled chicken
The chicken breed is raised naturally in the hills and finds its own food, so the meat is firm, sweet, grilled over charcoal, extremely fragrant and delicious.
6.4 Five-color sticky rice
Five-color sticky rice is also a traditional dish of the Tay people. The sticky rice comes in 5 extremely eye-catching colors: red, black, blue, white, and yellow. The sticky rice is sticky, fragrant and has a bit of the typical flavor of the indigenous people.
6.5 Bamboo shoots stuffed with meat
Bamboo shoots stuffed with meat have a crispy exterior, absorbing the sweet juices from the meat and the richness of spices. A perfect dish with the crispiness of the bamboo shoots and the sweet aroma of the meat.
6.6 Agarwood fish
Coming to Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang and skipping the specialty agarwood fish is a mistake. The fish is caught directly by people, then cleaned, stuffed with a few vegetables and spices, wrapped in banana leaves and grilled on a charcoal stove.
The smell of fish is so fragrant, the fish meat is both firm and delicious, it will satisfy the most demanding diners.
6.7 Banh Khao
This cake is made from familiar ingredients such as: sticky rice, peanuts, sesame, lard, and rock sugar, and is loved by many tourists and bought as gifts for relatives.
7. Accommodation when traveling to Ban Gioc waterfall
When traveling to Ban Gioc waterfall, visitors can refer to some of the accommodation facilities below:
7.1 Resort:
- Saigon Ban Gioc Resort. Address: Ban Gioc, Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang.
7.2 Hotel:
- Ha Vuong Hotel. Address: DT206, Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang.
7.3 Guesthouse:
- Tung Duong Guest House. Address: DT206, Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang.
7.4 Homestays:
- Hoang Cong Homestay. Address: Khuoi Ky Stone Village, Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang.
- Minh Khang Homestay. Address: Ban Gioc Waterfall, Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang.
- Truong Giang Homestay Ban Gioc. Address: Road to Nguom Ngao cave, Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang.
- Yen Nhi Homestay. Address: Ban Gioc Waterfall, Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang.
- Nguom Ngao Ban Gioc Homestay. Address: Khuoi Ky Stone Village, Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang.
8. Some other famous tourist attractions near Ban Gioc waterfall
8.1 Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda:
Located about 500m from the waterfall, you can visit the temple during your Ban Gioc waterfall travel itinerary. This is a pagoda with bold Vietnamese architecture with dozens of floors, ceremony houses, churches, and temples. Standing at Truc Lam Ban Gioc Phat Tich Pagoda, you can also see the entire waterfall and take beautiful photos.
8.2 Thang Hen Lake:
Located in the heart of the mountains and forests of Northeast Vietnam, Thang Hen Lake has a unique diamond shape surrounded by rocky mountains and forests, creating a majestic and perfect landscape. If you love discovering new things, you definitely cannot miss this interesting place.
8.3 Pac Bo revolutionary relic – Lenin stream:
Coming here, you can visit some famous relics. Such as: Coc Bo cave, Nam stream, Lenin stream, Bo Bam cave, Lung Lan cave… Standing here, visitors will have many specific images about heroic history pages of the Vietnamese people.
8.4 Nguom Ngao Cave
Nguom Ngao Cave is no longer a strange name to tourists. It’s a large cave shaped from centuries-old weathered limestone. Nguom Ngao Cave today has become a priceless gift that God has given to the people of Cao Bang.
The cave has a length of about 2114m and is divided into 3 caves, including: Nguom Lom cave, Nguom Ngao cave, Ban Thuon cave. Each cave has a different appearance, creating an interesting experience for tourists traveling to Cao Bang.
9. Some important notes when traveling to Ban Gioc waterfall
To prepare for a complete and safe trip to Ban Gioc waterfall, please prepare the following things:
- Clothing: Because the weather in the highlands will be colder than in the plains, so remember to bring warm clothes to avoid catching a cold.
- Medicines, backup equipment: Remember to bring personal tape, pain relievers, flu, headache, flashlight, alcohol, tent,… to use in case of need.
- Food and drink: Bring snacks such as: dry food, candy, chocolate, coffee, energy drinks, bottled water, etc. in case you need to replenish energy on the journey.
- When traveling on the road, remember to bring all your identification documents and driver’s license. Fully equipped with helmet, jacket, sunglasses.
Above are the experiences of traveling to Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang that we want to share with you. Hopefully, the above information can help your trip to explore Ban Gioc Waterfall in the near future.
If you are planning your tour to Ban Gioc waterfall, contact Origin Vietnam – the leading Vietnam tour operator. With a team of consultants, tour operators and experienced and dedicated local guides, we will take you on a adventure Vietnam tour to discover Cao Bang with interesting experiences and full of joys.
