Ban GiocWaterfall: Vietnam's biggest falls on the China border
Three hundred metres wide, three tiers of cascades, and an international border running straight down the middle. Entry 45,000 VND (~$1.80). About 7–8 hours from Hanoi. Nobody who makes the trip regrets it.
Thác Bản Giốc, in Cao Bằngprovince, is the fourth-largest transnational waterfall on earth — after Iguazu, Victoria and Niagara. The difference here: no crowds. It is quiet, green, and 45,000 VND (~$1.80) to get in.
The Vietnamese call it Ban Gioc; the Chinese call it Detian (德天瀑布). It is one waterfall on the border, and you can see both sides from the Vietnamese bank. Crossing to the Chinese side needs a Chinese visa, so most travellers stay put and take it all in from the raft.
Getting there is 7–8 hours from Hanoi. Not close. But people set aside 2–3 days for this view, and nobody comes back disappointed.
- Ban Gioc Waterfall (Thác Bản Giốc): Entry 45,000 VND (~$1.80) — 300 m wide, 3 tiers
- Nguom Ngao Cave (Ngườm Ngao): Stalactites, 4 km from the falls — Entry 40,000 VND (~$1.60)
- Cao Bang (Cao Bằng): Transport hub, hotels — 90 km from the falls
- Trung Khanh (Trùng Khánh): Homestays, nearest town — 20 km from the falls
- Ba Be Lake (Hồ Ba Bể): Vietnam's largest natural lake — 150 km to the southwest
What Ban Gioc Waterfall is
Three tiers of white water drop about 30 metres into the emerald Quây SơnRiver. In the rainy season the falls stretch over 300 m wide, the streams merging into one sheet. In the dry season it splits into two separate falls — the Vietnamese one on the left (wider) and the Chinese one on the right.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Width | 300+ m (in the rainy season) |
| Height | ~30 m, 3 tiers |
| Entry | 45,000 VND (~$1.80) |
| Bamboo raft | 50,000 VND (~$2), 10 min |
| Hours | 7:30–17:00 daily |
| Province | Cao Bằng, northeast Vietnam |
The border runs along the water — the left half is Vietnam, the right half is China. The bamboo raft carries you to the very foot of the cascades: 50,000 VND buys 10 minutes in a cloud of spray and the roar of falling water.
💬 "A magical waterfall — cascades against an emerald pool and green cliffs. Far from any city, no crowds — a quiet, relaxed atmosphere." — Tripadvisor, 2025
How to get there from Hanoi
272 km from Hanoi. There is no direct bus to the waterfall itself — you go via Cao Bằng (Cao Bang) with a transfer, or you take a tour.
Route options
| Option | Time | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus + transfer | 10–12 h | ~$14 | Budget travellers |
| Private car with driver | 7–8 h | $100–150/day | Comfort and flexibility |
| Tour, 2 days / 1 night | 2 days | $130–200 | All-inclusive, no hassle |
| Tour, 3 days + Ba Be Lake | 3 days | $200–320 | The full programme |
| Motorbike | 7–8 h | $20–25/day | Experienced riders |
By bus, step by step
- Mỹ Đìnhbus station (Hanoi) → bus to Cao Bang. About 8 hours, ~200,000 VND (~$8). Departures morning and evening.
- Cao Bang → local bus to Trùng Khánhor straight to the falls. About 2–2.5 hours, ~80,000 VND (~$3.20).
- If there is no bus all the way to the falls — a taxi from Trung Khanh is 150,000–200,000 VND (~$6–8).
A tour is the simplest option. They pick you up from your Hanoi hotel, drive you out, show you the falls and the cave, put you up in a homestay overnight and bring you back. You pay a little more and save yourself the logistics.
Getting set up in Vietnam?
SIM, visas, transfers, tours — our manager sorts it out for you, in English.
Message the managerBest time to visit
The waterfall lives and dies by the rain. The difference between seasons is enormous.
| Period | Water flow | Roads | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| September–November | Maximum | Wet but passable | Best time |
| May–August | Full | Slippery, downpours | Powerful, but risky roads |
| December–February | Weak | Dry, good | Photogenic, thin cascades |
| March–April | Minimal | Excellent | Not recommended |
September and October are the peak. The waterfall runs at full power, all three tiers merge, and you can hear the roar a kilometre off. The catch: the roads are slippery, and in the heaviest downpours the falls can be closed.
February is a different kind of beauty. Two separate streams with a visible rock between them, and the border line between the two countries is sharper. Less water, but dry and sunny.
Skip the airport queue in 5–10 min
In winter, immigration lines run 60–90 min. With Fast Track you’re met at the aircraft and taken through the priority lane. Arrange it before you fly.
Telegram managerWhat to see nearby
Driving 8 hours for one waterfall is a waste. Within a 150 km radius there are a few more places worth lingering for.
Ngườm Ngao Cave (Nguom Ngao)
4 km from the falls. A stalactite cave 2.1 km long, of which 1 km is open to visitors. Entry: 40,000 VND (~$1.60). Lit stalactites, a cool +18°C inside. Set aside an hour.
Ba Bể Lake (Ba Be)
150 km to the southwest. Vietnam's largest natural lake. Boat trips, caves, waterfalls. National park entry: 40,000 VND (~$1.60). Worth a day of its own.
Phúc Sen Village (Phuc Sen)
30 km from the falls. A blacksmithing village of the Nung people. Craftsmen forge knives and tools the traditional way. Free to visit, and you can buy a handmade knife.
Mã Pí Lèng Pass
200 km to the north. One of Vietnam's most beautiful mountain passes. If you are riding a motorbike, build it into the route — it links up with the Ha Giang Loop.
The classic 3-day route: Hanoi → Cao Bang (night) → Ban Gioc + Nguom Ngao → Ba Be (night) → Hanoi. This corner of the country also suits an off-the-beaten-track itinerary.
Where to stay and what it costs
Accommodation
| Option | Price/night | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Saigon-Ban Gioc Resort | $40–80 | By the falls, cascade view |
| Homestay in Trung Khanh | $10–20 | Village 20 km away |
| Cao Bang hotels | $15–30 | In town, basic comfort |
Saigon-Ban Gioc Resort is the only hotel with a view of the waterfall. Worth it if the budget allows. Homestays in Trung Khanh are cheap and authentic, and the hosts feed you home cooking.
Trip budget (2 days / 1 night, per person)
| Item | Budget | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Transport (round trip) | $14 (bus) | $75 (car, split by two) |
| Accommodation, 1 night | $12 | $50 |
| Entry + raft | $4 | $4 |
| Food (2 days) | $8 | $20 |
| Total | ~$38 | ~$150 |
A 2-day / 1-night tour is $130–200 all in. Pricier than doing it yourself, but it covers the driver, guide, hotel and entry. If you would rather not wrangle bus timetables, it is simpler and safer.
Practical tips
Take the raft. For 50,000 VND it carries you right up to the cascades. You will get sprayed, but you will hear and feel the waterfall instead of just looking at it from the bank.
Arrive at opening, 7:30. Fewer people in the morning, and the best light for photos.
What to bring:a waterproof case for your phone, sunscreen, comfortable shoes (the paths are slippery) and cash — cards are not accepted everywhere.
Best photo spots— take the path right from the car park, and shoot from the bamboo raft. A rainbow appears over the falls often when the sun is out.
Honest downsides:the drive from Hanoi is tiring (7–8 hours each way), the infrastructure is modest — a handful of cafes and stalls. In October there can be a queue for the raft. Mobile signal is weak, and drops out in places.
FAQ
Do you need a permit to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall?
The falls sit in a border zone. In the past a permit from the police office in Cao Bang was required; the process has since been simplified for tourists, and a passport is usually enough. Carry your passport, and on an organised tour the operator handles any paperwork. Confirm the current rules before you go.
How much is entry to the waterfall?
Entry to the site is 45,000 VND (~$1.80). A bamboo raft to the foot of the cascades is 50,000 VND (~$2) for about 10 minutes. Parking is 10,000–20,000 VND (~$0.40–0.80). All in, around $4 per person for the falls.
Can you cross to the Chinese side of the waterfall?
No — you cannot cross without a Chinese visa. From the Vietnamese bank and from the raft you can see both sides of the falls. The Chinese side is called Detian (德天瀑布), and the view from the raft is good in both directions.
How many days should you plan for the trip?
At least 2 days / 1 night. Day one is the drive from Hanoi to Cao Bang or Trung Khanh. Day two is the falls, Nguom Ngao cave and the drive back. Ideally 3 days / 2 nights with a stop at Ba Be Lake. Doing it from Hanoi and back in one day is physically possible, but 16 hours on the road is not worth it.
Are there tours to the waterfall from Hanoi?
Yes. Two-day tours run about $130–200 all in (transport, guide, hotel, entry). Three-day tours that add Ba Be Lake run about $200–320. Book via TourRadar, Viator or local operators in Hanoi. Departures are usually on Tuesdays and Fridays.
When is the waterfall at its fullest?
September–November is peak flow. All three tiers merge into a single wall of water over 300 metres wide. The most impressive view is in October. In the dry season (March–April) the waterfall is much thinner — the streams separate and the width shrinks.
Prices current as of July 2026.Prices and conditions can change — check the details before you travel.
Da Nang 2026: Vietnam's Nomad-Favourite Coastal City
Da Nang guide: beaches, Dragon Bridge, where to stay, food, getting around and visas — Vietnam’s most liveable coastal city for travellers and nomads.
Ba Na Hills & the Golden Bridge: Tickets, Tips 2026
Da Nang’s Ba Na Hills: the Golden Bridge, the record cable car, French Village and Fantasy Park — ticket prices, how to get there and whether it’s worth it.
Marble Mountains, Da Nang: Caves, Views, Tickets 2026
How to visit the Marble Mountains near Da Nang: cave temples, viewpoints, the lift vs the stairs, ticket prices and getting there from the city or Hoi An.