Ban Gioc Waterfall – the waterfall not only makes Cao Bang people proud every time it is mentioned, but also makes Vietnamese people proud because it is one of the largest natural waterfalls in Southeast Asia and the 4th largest waterfall in the world located on the national border.
Ban Gioc Waterfall is considered a place with majestic scenery, like a fairyland in Quay Son River, Cao Bang. Nestled in the mesmerizing province of Cao Bang, Ban Gioc Waterfalls stands as a true natural wonder of Vietnam. This enchanting fall unveils a breathtaking spectacle as pristine waters cascade from tier to tier, harmonizing with the lush landscapes. Its splendor is a testament to the captivating beauty that Cao Bang generously bestows upon its visitors.
1. Where is Ban Gioc Waterfalls? Is it worth visiting?
- Ban Gioc Waterfall’s location: Cao Bang Province, Vietnam
Ban Gioc Waterfalls stands as one of the grandest and most captivating Vietnam waterfalls. Found within Dam Thuy Commune, approximately 335 kilometers away from Hanoi, the fall lies on the border between China’s Guangxi and Vietnam’s Cao Bang.
Ban Gioc Waterfalls comprises two distinct falls. The main waterfall in the north is about 100 meters wide and 70 meters tall, featuring 3 cascades. When viewed from a distance, it resembles delicate ribbons of white silk gracefully draping the hill’s contours. This part constitutes the most expansive and picturesque panorama of Thac Ban Gioc Waterfall Vietnam.
Meanwhile, the waterfall in the south exhibits a weaker water flow, frequently experiencing dry spells during the dry season. In 2021, Travel+Leisure magazine recognized Ban Gioc Waterfalls among the world’s 25 most exquisite waterfalls. In 2023, the renowned SCMP newspaper of Hong Kong honored this place as one of the world’s most beautiful natural borders.
2. Best things to do at Ban Gioc Waterfalls, Vietnam
2.1. Pay a visit to Phat Tich Pagoda
Nestled within Dam Thuy Commune, Phat Tich Truc Lam Pagoda is an essential stop on the Ban Gioc Waterfall tour. Positioned at the foot of Phia Nham Mountain, this splendid pagoda lies a mere 500 meters away from the renowned Ban Gioc Waterfalls.
Exhibiting Vietnamese traditional architecture, the pagoda boasts a structure of ironwood adorned with terracotta tiles and ornate gables, presenting an authentic ambiance reminiscent of bygone times. Its features include a grand triple-arched gate, a statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, a hall, an ancestral shrine, and a shrine dedicated to venerable figures such as Lady Trieu, Hung Kings, Tran Hung Dao, Nung Tri Cao, etc.
Standing within the pagoda’s embrace, visitors are treated to an awe-inspiring vista that unveils the entire Ban Gioc Waterfalls, delicately adorned by lush paddy fields and cradled by a majestic mountain range.
2.2. Nguom Ngao Cave
About 5km from Ban Gioc Waterfall is Nguom Ngao Cave. Tourists who have visited many caves across Vietnam often rate this as one of the most beautiful caves, alongside Phong Nha Cave, Trang An Cave or Thien Duong Cave.
Nguom Ngao means Tiger Cave in the Tay ethinic language, and was formerly known as Tiger Cave. Legend has it that in the past, many tigers lived in this cave, but there is also an explanation that this name was given because the sound of water flowing in the cave resembles the sound of a tiger roaring. However, the scene inside the cave is completely opposite to its terrifying name.
Outside the cave is a simple, quiet rock mass located in the middle of a field, making this cave difficult to detect. Going deeper inside, visitors are overwhelmed by layers upon layers of bright yellow stalactites, growing from below or piercing from the top of the cave, with many shapes, and the reflected light further enhances the sparkling, magical look. Tourists can freely imagine these rocks into the shape of people, trees, animals, lotus flowers or old men’s beards…
2.3. Pac Bo relic site
his relic site is located in Pac Bo village, 52km north of Cao Bang city center. This is the starting point (km 0) of the Ho Chi Minh trail. This relic site includes Uncle Ho’s memorial house, Coc Po cave, Karl Marx mountain, Lenin stream or Uncle Ho’s working stone table… Coming here, visitors on the Ban Gioc Waterfall tour can not only immerse themselves in the fresh natural scenery, with majestic cliffs, poetic streams and endless blue lakes, but also hear touching stories about Uncle Ho during the years he lived and worked here.
Cao Bang is always proud to own Ban Gioc Waterfall – the most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam, the majestic Nguom Ngao Cave for tourists to unleash their imagination, Pac Bo – a historical relic site associated with the heroic resistance of the Vietnamese people, and many other beautiful landscapes. In particular, if traveling from Hanoi, it is only about 300km, taking 7 hours by car, so tourists often choose to go on Friday night, sleep overnight on the car, the next morning to enjoy the weekend, or combine to go to Bac Kan.
