Ban Gioc Waterfall: How to Get There and When to Go

Ban Gioc waterfall is a wide, multi-tiered waterfall on the Quay Son river, right on Vietnam's border with China, about 360 km northeast of Hanoi. This guide from our Vietnam travel blog explains how to get there via Cao Bang, the best time to see the falls at full flow, what to do there and nearby, and how to link it with Ba Be lake and Ha Giang.

Ban Gioc is a two- or three-day trip from Hanoi rather than a day trip, and it is in a border area where you should carry your passport. If you still need a visa for Vietnam, apply for a Vietnam e-visa online before you set off.

Ban Gioc at a glance:

How to get to Ban Gioc waterfall

To get to Ban Gioc waterfall, travel from Hanoi to Cao Bang town by bus or car, then continue about 85 km to the falls on a scenic mountain road. Most visitors stay a night in Cao Bang or near the falls.

Sleeper buses from Hanoi reach Cao Bang in about seven hours, and local buses or hired cars cover the last stretch in two to three hours. Many travelers ride the route by motorbike or join a two- or three-day tour from Hanoi, which handles transport and stays.

Best time to visit

September and October are the best months to visit Ban Gioc, when the falls still carry plenty of water after the rainy season, the rice is golden and skies are clearer.

From May to August the falls are at their most powerful, but rain is heavy, roads can be affected by landslides and the river can be muddy, which sometimes stops the rafts. From December to March the flow drops and the weather is cool. Arrive early in the morning, before tour groups.

At the falls

At the falls, walk the paths along the river for different views, and take a bamboo raft close to the base of the cascades when the water allows. The falls are in a scenic area with a pagoda on the hillside.

The Truc Lam Ban Gioc pagoda above the falls offers a wide view over the cascades and the border. Swimming is not encouraged because of strong currents. Bring a light rain jacket, as the spray soaks visitors near the base.

Nearby: Nguom Ngao cave and Cao Bang

Nguom Ngao cave, a few kilometers from Ban Gioc, is a large limestone cave with walkways and lit chambers, easily combined with the falls on the same day. Paths can be wet and slippery.

The wider Cao Bang region is part of a UNESCO Global Geopark, with karst valleys, rivers and villages of Tay and Nung people. Two more points help you plan: border-area rules, and linking with other northern trips.

Planning a northeast trip

Ban Gioc fits into a loop through northeast Vietnam. These two points help.

Border-area tips

Ban Gioc sits on the border, so carry your passport and follow signs and instructions from border guards. Do not fly drones, and do not cross markers or the river toward the Chinese side. Your phone may switch to a Chinese network near the falls, so check roaming settings.

Linking with Ba Be and Ha Giang

Ba Be lake, a national park west of Cao Bang, makes a good stop on the way back to Hanoi. Riders often combine Ban Gioc with the Ha Giang loop to the west, for a week or more in the northern mountains.

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