Ban Gioc Waterfall is one of the most beautiful falls in northern Vietnam. It lies on the Quay Son River in Cao Bang Province, way north of Hanoi, and can be visited year round.
The Quay Son River rises in China and drops for 30m across a multi-tiered falls north of Cao Bang. There are many pools for swimming where temperatures are noticeably cooler than the surroundings. Ban Gioc Waterfall is quite wide with several runs splitting off in all directions, which makes the whole place look surreal when viewed from afar amid its lush surroundings.
The French had cottages built near the falls in the 1920s and would fish for the famed tram huong. There are also many species of wildflower for those into flora.
Getting There & Away
Ban Gioc Waterfall is some 270kms north of Hanoi via highway 3 to Cao Bang by bus, from where further buses run through to the Vietnam-Chinese border at Po Peo. Hiring a car with driver from Hanoi is the best bet for exploring the region. Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport receives flights from all over and is around 10 hours by bus from Ban Gioc Waterfall.