Destination guide

Ban Gioc Waterfall

A 300 m wide curtain of water on the Quay Son River, right on the Vietnam–China border.

300 mtotal width of the falls

35 mheight of the main fall

3 tierson the main fall

85 kmfrom the provincial centre

Ban Gioc Waterfall, in Dam Thuy commune, has been a National Scenic Site since 1998. It has a main fall and a secondary fall. The main fall sits on the border: about 50 m wide and 35 m high, dropping over three tiers of rock. The secondary fall lies entirely in Vietnam, about 150 m long with a single drop of some 30 m.

The falls formed where a fault cut through limestone and shale some 380 million years old, lifting one side and dropping the other. Below lies the Quay Son valley with its flat karst plains. US magazine Travel + Leisure has listed Ban Gioc among the world’s most beautiful waterfalls.

Local legend tells of a beautiful girl taken to be the king’s bride who fled with her lover; after days of rain, two waterfalls appeared beside the village.

Don’t miss

The main and secondary falls

Walkways and wooden bridges lead close to the foot of the falls. From the rocky banks below you can see all three tiers of the main fall.

Bamboo raft to the falls

Bamboo rafts on the Quay Son River take you close to the spray, best in the high-water season from June to October. Wear the life jacket provided and keep phones and cameras dry.

Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda

The first pagoda built on this frontier, set on Phia Nhan hill. The climb is short but steep; the courtyard looks over the falls, the Quay Son River and the karst peaks.

Khuoi Ky stone village

A Tay village of 14 stone stilt houses with yin-yang tiled roofs, on provincial road 206 towards Nguom Ngao Cave. Homestays offer Tay meals, Then singing and the tinh lute.

Nguom Ngao Cave

About 3 – 4 km from the falls. The lit visitor section is about 950 m long and takes around an hour.

Geopark Information Centre

Dam Thuy commune has a centre presenting the area’s geology, culture and history – worth a stop before the falls.

Getting there

About 85 km from the provincial centre, roughly 2.5 hours by car via Ma Phuc Pass and the Quang Uyen – Trung Khanh area.
Local buses run to Trung Khanh and Ban Gioc; for flexible timing, hire a car with driver in the provincial centre.
There are no flights: travel from Hanoi to Cao Bang by coach or private car, then continue by road.

See the place card and directions →

When to go

Jun – Oct

High-water season. The falls are at their fullest from August to October, when rice also ripens along the river.

Nov – May

Dry season: less water but clearer skies, easier travel and beautiful jade-green pools.

Early October

The Ban Gioc tourism festival is usually held, with a light show at the foot of the falls; dates vary by year.

Time of day

Arrive before 9 am, or stay nearby for sunrise before the day-trippers arrive.

Practical tips

Before you go

The falls are in a border area: always carry your passport and follow signs and instructions from the authorities.
The Ban Gioc (Vietnam) – Detian (China) cooperative scenic area officially opened on 15 October 2024 for organised groups. When it opened, third-country nationals could not yet cross; foreign visitors should check the latest rules.
The path down to the falls is damp and mossy in places: wear shoes with good grip.
Weekends, holidays and the rice harvest are busy; book your accommodation early.
Do not fly drones without permission.

Itineraries that include it

All itineraries

1 day from Cao Bang city

Ban Gioc in a day

Short on time and want the biggest sights, sleeping in the provincial centre.

~200 km · 5 – 6 hours of driving

2 days, 1 night

Ban Gioc, Phong Nam & Ngoc Con

First time in Cao Bang and want Ban Gioc plus Phong Nam Valley without rushing.

~215 km · about 6 hours of driving over 2 days

4 days, 3 nights

The classic Cao Bang Loop

The full eastern loop, village nights and time to walk.

~400 km · about 11 – 12 hours of driving over 4 days

Frequently asked questions

Can foreign visitors cross to the Chinese side at Ban Gioc?

The Ban Gioc – Detian scenic area receives organised groups run by travel companies on both sides. As announced in October 2024, it is only open to Vietnamese and Chinese visitors and third-country nationals cannot yet cross. Check the latest rules before you go.

When is the best month to visit Ban Gioc?

August to October brings the most water and golden rice along the river. From November the dry season has less water but clear skies, jade-green pools and little rain.

Can I do Ban Gioc as a day trip?

Yes, if you leave early from the provincial centre. But it is about 2.5 hours each way, so many travellers stay in Khuoi Ky or near the falls for a slower visit and the sunrise.

Is there accommodation near the falls?

Yes. Khuoi Ky stone village and nearby hamlets have stilt-house homestays, and there is a resort near the falls. Contact them in advance in the peak season.