Vietnam / Northern Mountains / Ban Gioc Waterfall (Cao Bang)Ban Gioc Waterfall (Cao Bang)
Asia's Great Border Waterfall
A wide, multi-tiered waterfall on the Quay Son river, shared with China, in the karst hills of Cao Bang province: bamboo rafts take you close to the falls, and Nguom Ngao cave is a few minutes away. It is fullest from August to October; in the dry months the falls thin out. A long way from Hanoi (about 7-8 hours), so most combine it with a night or two in Cao Bang's villages, or with Ha Giang.
Highlights
- Bamboo raft to the foot of the falls
- Nguom Ngao cave
- Truc Lam pagoda above the falls
- Karst valleys of Trung Khanh
- Pac Bo, where Ho Chi Minh returned in 1941
- Tay and Nung stilt-house villages
Things to do
- Ban Gioc Waterfall and bamboo raftMorning · 3h
- Nguom Ngao caveAfternoon · 1h 30m
- Truc Lam Ban Gioc pagoda viewpointAfternoon · 1h
- Pac Bo historic siteMorning · 2h 30m
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: August – October
Worth knowing
Freezing Winters in the Mountains
From December to February the northern mountains are cold and often misty: nights can drop below 0 °C in Sapa and Ha Giang, with frost and sometimes snow on the peaks, and many homestays have no heating. Fog can hide the terraces and passes for days. Pack a warm jacket, gloves and layers.
Worth knowing
Tet: Closures and a Travel Rush
Tet (Lunar New Year) falls on 6 February in 2027. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and fares rise; for three to five days after, many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close. Check the date for your year, book transport a month or more ahead, and expect higher prices.
- Tet (Lunar New Year) — Vietnam's biggest holiday. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and prices rise as everyone travels home; for three to five days after New Year's Eve many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close, while temples and flower markets are at their liveliest. Book transport a month or more ahead, or avoid travelling in the days either side.