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Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam – The Best Travel Guide

Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam – The Best Travel Guide

Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam – The Best Travel Guide

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    I. Overview About Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    Ban Gioc is the fourth largest waterfall in the world among the beautiful waterfalls on the border between countries and is the largest natural waterfall in Southeast Asia. Ban Gioc Waterfall is located in Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh District, about 90 km from Cao Bang and 400 km from Hanoi. The path leading to the Ban Gioc Waterfall is winding, around the mountainside and has many narrow, fresh air, stunning countryside scenery.

    Read more: How to get to Cao Bang from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city

    Due to the difficulty of traveling, today, the waterfall is still visited by very few visitors. Maybe people call the beauty of Ban Gioc is “Sleeping beauty in the Forest”. Coming to Ban Gioc Waterfall, visitors will be delighted to admire the majestic and romantic scenery of the beautiful waterfalls from the high down to the Guilin Mountains in the smooth flow of the beautiful waterfall falls as water paintings. Ban Gioc Waterfall is also a source of inspiration for a lot of artists to create compelling works. Ban Gioc Waterfall is divided into 2 branches. Large branches with low elevations, flowing through low limestone steps. The branch is smaller but higher, flowing just like a lady’s hair.

    II. Weather & Best Time To Visit Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    1. Weather in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    The climate of Cao Bang is tropical with high mountainous and seasonal characteristics compared to other mountainous provinces in the Northeast. There are sub-zones with the sub-tropical climate. Cao Bang is the gateway to the northeast monsoon from China over the winter and is influenced by the southeast monsoon in the summer. Cao Bang is divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season.

    Read more: 5 amazing places you should travel in Cao Bang, Vietnam

    a. Rainy season in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    It starts in April and ends in September every year. This season is dominated by the southeast monsoon and is influenced by a small portion of the southwest monsoon and northeast monsoon. The average temperature in months between seasons varies between 5 – 6℃. The rainy season average rainfall is 200 – 250mm. The average temperature of the rainy season is 20 – 24℃ and the average humidity is 80% – 90%.

    b. Dry season in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    This season lasts from October last year to March next year. This season, the climate is temperate, cold or foggy. Northeast winter winds are often blown to dry and cold. The cold months usually last from December to February. The average dry season rainfall is 20-40mm, while the lowest is 10 – 20mm. The average dry season is 8 – 15℃ and the average monthly humidity is 70% – 80%.

    2. Best time to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    In fact, you do not have to worry about having to travel to Ban Gioc Waterfall every year to see the most beautiful. Ban Gioc waterfall in each season has a typical beauty.

    During the dry season (from October to May next year): Ban Gioc Waterfall is beautiful, gentle, elegant as the fairy-tale face is still afraid of the scene of life. Cool water in the summer of Ban Gioc Waterfall makes you want to immerse yourself in it.

    In the rainy season (from June to September):  the beauty of Ban Gioc Waterfall is completely opposite to the summer. This is the time when Ban Gioc falls is in its majestic beauty. The water does not flow smoothly, and it starts to flow faster and faster, the foam splashes like a cloud of rain when floods come. In the rainy season, your trip may be a bit more difficult than summer, but the beauty of the waterfall is really worthwhile!

    III. How To Get To Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    To go to Ban Gioc Waterfall, you can take a motorbike or shuttle bus starting from Hanoi, because the distance between Hanoi and Ban Gioc is only about 370km, and each vehicle will give you its own advantages.

    1. Getting to Ban Gioc Waterfall by shuttle bus from Hanoi

    There are various shuttle bus companies has Hanoi – Ban Gioc Waterfall services, which is a very economical and fast way for tourists to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall. The average price for a shuttle bus trip to Ban Gioc is about VND 180,000 – VND 200,000 and it takes about 5-6 hours to get to the waterfall.

    Recommended shuttle bus companies

    Hung Thanh

    • Route: My Dinh Station, Luong Yen Station – Cao Bang Station
    • Price: VND 200,000/ticket
    • Departs hours:  9:50 – 18:00 – 19:30 (My Dinh Station); 9:00 – 19:30 – 20:00 (Luong Yen Station)
    • Phone: (+84) 72 222 694

    Ngoc Ha

    • Route: My Dinh station – Cao Bang Station
    • Price: VND 170,000/ticket
    • Departs hour: 11:30 (My Dinh station)
    • Phone: (+84) 12 577 004

    Khanh Hoan

    • Route: My Dinh Station – Cao Bang Station
    • Price: VND 200,000/ticket
    • Depart hour: 19:00 (My Dinh station)
    • Phone: (+84) 15 660 062

    Luong Sung

    • Route: My Dinh Station – Cao Bang Station
    • Price: VND 170,000/ticket
    • Depart hour: 11:30 (My Dinh Station)
    • Phone: (+84) 12 455 915

    Hien Loi

    • Route: My Dinh Station – Cao Bang Station
    • Price: VND 200,000/ticket
    • Depart hour: 10:00 (My Dinh Station)
    • Phone: (+84) 15 046 784

    Thanh Ly

    • Route: My Dinh Station – Cao Bang Station
    • Price: VND 200,000/ticket
    • Depart hour: 10:00 (My Dinh station)
    • Phone: (+84) 912 237 252

    Mai Luy

    • Route: My Dinh Station – Ha Quang – Ta Lung
    • Price: VND 200,000/ticket
    • Depart hour: 19:00 – 19:30 – 21:00 (My Dinh Station)
    • Phone: (+84) 15 377 272

    Vinh Dung

    • Route: My Dinh Station – Ha Quang – Ta Lung
    • Price: VND 200,000/ticket
    • Depart hour: 21:30 (My Dinh Station)
    • Phone: (+84) 973 755 755 

    2. Getting to Ban Gioc Waterfall by motorbike from Hanoi

    Traveling by motorbike is a favorite solution enjoyed by young people when getting to Ban Gioc Waterfall. It is the best way to discover, admire the beauty of nature because you can stop, observe and follow the route as you like. The condition is good health, and you should take a friend with you. Before starting the journey, you should check the stability of the motorbike. In the group, there should be someone who knows a bit about motorbike repair techniques. Prepare raincoat, cold food, drinking water.

    Recommended motorbike rental stores

    Mr. Luong Vuong
    Address: 366 Ngoc Thuy Street, Long Bien District, Hanoi
    Tel: (+84) 966 902 333

    Mr. Tu
    Address: 112 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Long Bien District, Hanoi
    Tel: (+84) 942 467 674

    Bon Bon Motor
    Address: 246 Ton Duc Thang Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi
    Tel: (+84) 125 5222 555

    Hanoi Motor tour
    Address: 22 463 Lane, Doi Can Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
    Tel: (+84) 928 290 000

    Phuong Motor
    Address: 5 Hang Thung Street, Hoan Kiem District District, Hanoi
    Tel: (+84) 904 222 445

    Mr. Phat
    Address: 687 Bach Dang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
    Tel: (+84) 912 310 505 

    Mr. Chien
    Address: 21 Kim Dong Street, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi
    Tel: (+84) 947 503 883

    IV. Where To Go Around Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    Coming to Ban Gioc you can visit not only Ban Gioc Waterfall but also the other tourist attractions such as Nguom Ngao Cave, Pac Bo Cave, Lenin Stream, Thang Hen Lake …

    1. Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam – The most popular destination in Cao Bang Province

    The remote and undeveloped tourist services have made the Ban Gioc Waterfall not yet a destination for many visitors, but the wild beauty is the attraction of this majestic waterfall. Those who have been to Ban Gioc Waterfall cannot deny that this is an invaluable gift that nature has bestowed on Cao Bang Province and Vietnam in general. The water in Ban Gioc falls down day and night, making flat rocks blaze into the vast white dust that blurs a large area. On sunny days, the steam also creates a sparkling rainbow. At the foot of Ban Gioc Waterfall is a large river, which is flat like a mirror. On the banks are the grass and green forest. You can totally enjoy the peaceful atmosphere here.

    2. Pac Bo Cave & Lenin Stream, Cao Bang,Vietnam – The historical place of Vietnam War 

    Pac Bo is a cave located in a large mountain range, in front of the cave there is a small stream that President Ho Chi Minh named Lenin stream. The Pac-Bo Cave appears on the sloping rocky slope. Standing outside the cave looking down, on the cliff you can also see the words that he wrote: “February 8, 1941.” It was the day when Uncle Ho came to this cave, a small, humid and cold cave, deep in the ravine, barely noticeable. Also, Lenin stream is a clear stream, the water here flows gently, making the scene more poetic.

    3. Nguom Ngao Cave, Cao Bang, Vietnam – The mysterious beauty of nature

    Nguom Ngao cave is about 3km from Ban Gioc waterfall, located in a mountain of Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province, Nguom Ngao has a total length of 2144m with 3 main doors: Nguom Ngao, Nguom Lom and Ban Thuon. Getting into the cave, you can explore the masses of limestone and stalactites that you can imagine with many different images. There is a small stream flowing which makes the nature here become more and more fanciful.

    4. Thang Hen Lake, Cao Bang, Vietnam – The gentle space in Cao Bang Province

    Thang Hen Lake is a freshwater lake in Quoc Toan Commune, Tra Linh District, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam. The name of the lake in the Tay sense is “bee tail”, because from above look down the lake is shaped like a bee. Not only by the beautiful natural scenery, Thang Hen Lake also attracts tourists by folk legends associated with it. Especially, if you come to Thang Hen in the harvest season, you will see the golden stripes of rice are as beautiful as a giant woven carpet from the creative hand of nature and “feel satisfied” with the aromatic smell of rice.

    5. Giuong Village, Cao Bang, Vietnam – House of Vietnamese ethnic groups

    The village is located in Tien Thanh Commune, Phuc Hoa District. The population is mainly Tay people with about 75 households. Come here, you will be immersed in fresh air, cool that rare place to be. The village is also famous for the Nang Hai festival, which is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. Especially, the scenery is more impressive if visitors come here in the harvest season.

    6. Quay Son River, Cao Bang, Vietnam – The scenic beauty in two banks of the river

    Quay Son River originates from Guangxi Province, China flows through the Vietnamese territory near Po Peo border gate in Trung Khanh, Cao Bang. Quay Son River passes through Vietnam is 49km long. Quay Son River is not only famous for its waterfalls, including the Ban Gioc Waterfall at the Vietnam – China border, but also the scenic beauty of the two river banks, which are connected by mountains to the horizon and the wings. rice field immense gold.

    7. Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda, Cao Bang, Vietnam – The sacred place in Cao Bang Province

    Tuc Truc Lam Pagoda – the first temple was built in the northern frontier of the country was approved by Cao Bang Provincial People’s Committee. In 06/2013, Buddhist monument of Truc Lam Village was started in the mountain Phia In the direction of Ban Gioc 500m. The items of the Buddhist monks Tich Truc Lam village as Tam Quan pagoda, Bodhisattva statue, Tam Bao, house … is built in the traditional Buddhist architecture style of Vietnam.

    V. Where To Stay In Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    1. Jeane Hotel – The simple and polite hotel 

    Each room at this hotel is air-conditioned and has a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom with slippers and free toiletries. Some rooms offer mountain, river or city views. Also, Jeanne Hotel offers gift shops and free WiFi in all areas.

    Address: 83 Kim Dong Street, Hop Giang, Cao Bang Province
    Tel: (+84) 91 213 01 26
    Price: VND 450,000/night/room/2 adults

    2. Viet Hoang Hotel Bao Lac – The hotel for couples

    Viet Hoang Hotel Bao Lac offers accommodation with free WiFi. Also, this 1-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Rooms include a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. At the hotel, all rooms have a desk, and the private bathroom is equipped with a bidet and free toiletries. Guest rooms at Viet Hoang Hotel Bao Lac have air conditioning and a wardrobe.

    Address: 83 Kim Dong Street, Hop Giang, Cao Bang Province
    Tel: (+84) 206 3870 870
    Price: VND 200,000/night/room/2 adults

    3. 89 Hotel – Lovely hotel in Cao Bang Province

    89 Hotel offers accommodation with WiFi and free on-site parking. A flat-screen TV is provided in the rooms. Reception is open 24 hours.

    Address: 86 Vuon Cam Street, Hop Giang, Cao Bang Province
    Tel: (+84) 916 336 489
    Price: VND 350,000/night/room/2 adults

    4. Minh Hoang Hotel – Having professional services

    Minh Hoang Hotel offers friendly accommodation in Cao Bang, along with free Wi-Fi and free private parking on site. Each room at this hotel is air-conditioned and has a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom. The front desk is open 24 hours a day. The hotel also provides car rental.

    Address: 98 Kim Dong, Hop Giang
    Tel: (+84) 206 3852 215
    Price: VND 320,000/night/room/2 adults
    Website: minhhoanghotel.com/

    5. Duong Ha Hotel – The friendly-pet hotel 

    Duong Ha Hotel offers pet-friendly accommodation in Cao Bang, with free on-site private parking. Each room is equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The rooms have seating areas for guests to relax in, while some rooms come with a balcony. Private bathrooms have toiletries, shower, slippers, free toiletries, and hairdryer. Duong Ha Hotel offers free Wi-Fi in all areas. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk. The hotel also provides car rental service for customers.

    Address: 36, Group 16, Song Bang Street, Cao Bang Province
    Tel: (+84) 206 6265 555
    Price: VND 400,000/night/room/2 adults

    6. Son Tung Hotel – The most modern hotel in Cao Bang Province 

    Son Tung Hotel offers accommodation with free WiFi in Cao Bang city. Each room has a flat-screen TV. The room is equipped with a private bathroom with a shower, slippers and free toiletries, which is comfortable for guests. Also, the reception is open 24 hours a day.

    Address: 1 Hong Viet Street, Cao Bang Province
    Tel: (+84) 91 566 52 98
    Price: VND 3,400,000/night/room/2 adults

    VI. What To Eat In Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    1. Coong Phu in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    Coong Phu floating rice cake made from glutinous rice. Inside it is roasted peanuts, sugar and sesame seeds. Coriander is usually white, many people soaked rice with leaves, pineapple leaves to create new colors, taste and aroma different. There is absolutely no chemical coloring substance to create the color.

    2. Banh Cuon in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    Bread rolls may not be strange to many people. This is a simple folk food that all over the region have. Even so, not all buns are the same. Especially, if anyone has had the opportunity to eat Banh Cuon Cao Bang, will be very different from Banh Cuon in other areas in Vietnam.

    In contrast to Banh Cuon Hanoi is served with fish sauce, Cao Bang’s is eaten with meat soup. The special point of the soup to eat with rolls is cooked from the delicious porridge bone. Therefore, the soup bowl to eat with rice rolls in Cao Bang is delicious with the sweet taste of bone, at the same time, bowls are always hot because it is keep warm the cooker all the time. Comes with a bowl of broccoli rolls can add the green onion, sliced garlic vinegar, chili or coriander, all make the perfect taste that tourist can never forget.

    3. Banh Ap Chao in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    Winter in Cao Bang has a very special dish, which is sold in small shops or sidewalks. The cake looks like a donut, but the dough is made from duck meat, not pork minced, or green beans like ordinary donuts. Cao Bang people call it the Banh Ap Chao. The ingredients used to make the dish are not too complicated, consisting of glutinous rice flour, and duck meat but it is a characteristic feature of the Northeast.

    4. Peng Ray in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Vietnam

    This is one of the unique dishes of Tay people in the Northeast of Vietnam, Bac Kan, Cao Bang. The main ingredient to make this dish is egg ants. This type of dish is only made at certain times of late April and May each year because this is the time when the forest black ants grow strongest. As the name implies, the main ingredient for making Peng Ray is the egg of the ants, glutinous rice and leaves of the fig tree outside (a familiar tree in the high mountains in the north). Raw materials and the process is not too sophisticated, but the dish is delicious and very different from other dishes in Cao Bang.

    5. Sour Pho in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Vietnam

    Sour Pho is a specialty of Cao Bang, contributing to the culinary culture of northern mountainous provinces. Sour Pho with many spices, ingredients such as crispy meat, rice, sweet potato (big and sweet in Bac Kan and Cao Bang provinces), pig stomach is cleaned then boiled and then bring fried, duck meat. Cao Bang rice noodles are different from other local noodles because they are made from sweet Cao Bang rice. In addition to the above ingredients, noodles are also served with peanuts, herbs, basil, cucumber, sliced cucumber.

    6. Roasted Duck in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Vietnam

    Roasted duck is a specialty in Cao Bang. It is called seven roasted duck because Cao Bang people used 7 different spices for the duck meat. After filming duck meat is cut to disk, yellow skin color, piercing cockroaches. Meat is firm and sweet, but not tender, not tough. When eating, one must chew slowly to feel the sweetness of honey with the fat of the oil, the taste of the duck meat.

    7. Cao Bang Canarium Sticky Rice in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Vietnam

    Coming to Cao Bang, you will find canarium sticky rice everywhere, from luxury restaurants, weddings to warm family weekend meals. Unlike other kinds of sticky rice, canarium sticky rice has the sweet taste of sticky rice with the aroma of the canarium. The deliciousness of sticky rice will be enjoyed by all people, especially the tourists. If you have a chance to go to Cao Bang to visit the beautiful Northwest mountains, do not forget to try to taste this famous sticky rice.

    8. Cao Bang Beef Jerky in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Vietnam

    Because of Cao Bang’s favorable climate, there are so many cow grazing areas. Cows can be used to pull plows and take the meat. Have a chance to go to the land far away, enjoy the specialties of this place, you do not skip the beef jerky. Cows in Cao Bang to plow, pull the car. Beef is also great. Dried is a way to store the beef of local people, and it both helps to preserve the beef and make a unique taste. Meat is marinated spices such as salt, chili, ginger juice and most importantly, white wine. After the marinated the locals will feed the meat into each string and then hand them on the kitchen. The kitchen of the Cao Bang people is used daily, so the heat, smoke, fires will let the beef dry and solid. After about 10-15 days, the meat is usable.

    Recommended restaurant in Cao Bang


    La Co Xanh Cao Bang Restaurant
    Address: Group 10, Song Hien Ward, Cao Bang Province
    Tel: (+84) 916 468 448

    Hien Tu Restaurant Cao Bang
    Address: Na Cap Crossing, Cao Bang Province
    Tel: (+84) 981 535 777

    A Dong BBQ Cao Bang
    Address: 18 Pho Cuong street, Hop Giang Ward, Cao Bang Province
    Tel: (+84) 166 224 4848

    Ngon Cao Bang Restaurant
    Address: 5 Hoang Nhu street, Hop Giang Ward, Cao Bang Province
    Tel: (+84) 91 604 65 70

    Trung Nga Restaurant
    Address: 45 Xuan Truong street, Hop Giang Ward, Cao Bang Province
    Tel: (+84) 98 892 98 99

    Phuong Cuu Restaurant
    Address: Dam Thuy street, Trung Khanh Ward, Cao Bang Province
    Tel: (+84) 98 342 57 44

    VI.  Things To Do In Ban Gioc Waterfall, Vietnam

    1. Take a canoe trip on Quay Son River, Vietnam

    Inflatable canoes are convenient and mobile moving vehicles on the water, which help you to explore the poetic natural scenery of Quay Son river as well as Ban Gioc waterfall in a very exciting way. Each canoe can contain about 10 people, it would take about VND 50,000 per person.

    2. Explore a majestic world in Nguom Ngao Cave, Vietnam

    When coming to Cao Bang, you should not ignore Nguom Ngao cave. All tiredness, fatigue will disappear as soon as you reach the door because the wind is very cool. The stalactites here are very beautiful and attractive. Beautiful wilderness here is hard to describe in words. Certainly, Nguom Ngao will be an interesting place for you to explore.

    3. Ride a horse around in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Vietnam

    In Ban Gioc Waterfall, there is a horse rental service, so that you can ride a horse around and explore the beauty of Ban Gioc waterfall on your own. This will give you enjoyable and brand new experiences. The horse rental place lies right next to the waterfall so you can easily find it. The average price for a horse is about VND 100,000 – VND 150,000 per person

    4. Visit border market in Ban Gioc Waterfall, Vietnam

    All along the Vietnam-China border, there is a border market where the buyers are mostly from China. That is the meeting point at 835, the upper waterfall of Ban Gioc (in Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province). People from both sides of the border have often come here to exchange goods and local products. Every morning, people transport goods to the market by vehicles, and then in the late afternoon, they collect the goods on the car to get back home.

    VII. Some Tips For Traveling To Ban Gioc Waterfall, Vietnam

    • To help you have a safe, fun trip, you need to plan the trip in detail.
    • If you want to rent a car, you should rent a car less than 29 seats because the road here is small and slightly difficult to go. Before you go, you should find out the road, eating and travel so you can be active.
    • In addition to clothing, personal items, you need to bring a warm shirt, some medications. Footwear, soft sandals, low as they will be loe climbing a lot, candy as gifts for highland children and a little food, water, raincoat, vehicle papers, flashlight, camera, backup charger, paper pen for use when needed, …

    This is an interesting destination which cannot be missed when traveling to Vietnam. The above is the complete Ban Gioc waterfall travel guidebook we share with you. Wish that you will have an interesting and memorable trip in this majestic waterfall.

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    03 Feb 2020
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