Ban Gioc Waterfalls (Vietnam) (page 1 of 3)

Hello,

We’re planning our trip for October 2017!! (Yes, it’s still far off—but planning it is already like a vacation.) We’re interested in the Ban Gioc Waterfalls, but I can’t quite make up my mind about them. Will there still be water in October? Is this stop worth it? (Even if there’s no water?) Thanks for your replies! Happy travels to everyone, Eric

Hi Eric, It's still the high-water season, so the falls are pretty impressive. The sight of Vietnamese vendors selling cigarettes to the Chinese on the other side from rafts is quite amusing, and for a low price, take a raft to get up close. On the road from Cao Bang, there are very large *noria* (you have to keep an eye out). You’ll pass through the Nung region, where they forge scrap metal, and in some blacksmith villages, they offer homestays. Beautiful landscapes, and along the way—Thong Thué is interesting: market days are on the 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd, and 28th of the lunar month.

Happy planning!

Hi,

Hi,

We’re interested in the Ban Gioc waterfalls, but I can’t make up my mind about them. Will there still be water in October? Is this stop worth it? (Even without water?)

Eric

I biked to Ban Gioc Waterfalls in February 2013 (so during the low-water season), and it’s honestly worth the trip.

http://vdquynh.blogspot.com/2013/03/les-chutes-deau-de-ban-gioc-dam-thuy.html

A resort hotel has apparently been built on the Vietnamese side at the entrance to the waterfalls.

Best, Quynh

Hi Jean Pierre,

Thanks for the info about this Thong Thué market. Unfortunately, I can’t locate it on my maps. Could you give me more details, please? I’d already spotted the one in Trung Khanh but not the one you mentioned. If not, Miss "know-it-all" will send me the directions!! Thanks in advance. Have a great day, Eric

Actually, after checking, the village is marked as Thong Huê. Coming from Cao Bang, it’s smaller than Trùng Khành—I’d say about fifteen kilometers, give or take. At that point, Route 206 crosses a river (gorgeous view), and the market is on the right, inside the village. What I also love are the house facades.

Trùng Khanh also has a fantastic market, much larger. I didn’t note the dates, but since it’s a district, it’s probably on Sundays.

I often stop in Thong Hué because it’s two days after the Bao Lac market (5th, 10th, etc.) and the day after the Hung Dao market (6th, 11th, etc.). It makes for some really nice stops... really nice. Happy researching,

There’s always water, and the road to get there is stunning. Here’s what you can do:

Day 1: Hanoi to Ba Be Lake (overnight in a guesthouse in Pac Noi) Day 2: Beautiful boat ride on the lake + Nang River (tunnel + Dau Dang waterfalls) Day 3: Ba Be to Cao Bang Day 4: Ngom Ngao waterfalls and amazing cave Day 5: Cao Bang back to Hanoi

Hello,

It's worth going even if the flow isn't strong because the road there offers beautiful landscapes reminiscent of the terrestrial Halong Bay near Ninh Binh. When you arrive, you need to buy an entrance ticket before walking the path that leads to it. On one side, Vietnam, and on the opposite bank with cliffs: China is just 50 meters away.

On the way back, you can stop at some caves that local tourists visit. Then take a different route back to Cao Bang, a drivable track passing through the karst peaks. (If Larsay is reading this, he can provide more details about this route he mapped out for me.)

Safe travels, Jean

Actually, the border runs right through the middle of the waterfalls and the river, so half is in Vietnam and half in China.

You can get there via Route 206 Cao Bang-Quang Uyen-Trung Khanh-Ban Gioc and return via Route 207 Bang Ca (that’s where the infamous "Camp No 1" was—a death camp for French officers imprisoned in Cao Bang in October 1950 and at Dien Bien in May 1954)—Dong Deng (Ha Lang)-Quang Uyen-CB

There you go! And it’s on the list provided a few months ago ;) goo.gl/maps/4F1eZ3uTjoH2

For Jean Pierre: After checking (and correcting)... it turns out there are two Trùng Khánh. The one in Rò tẩu (Trùng Khánh) is near Cao Bằng - Lunar Days 1 and 6. The second one is near Bảo Lạc, Trùng Khánh, Bản Giốc - Lunar Days 5 and 10.

I passed through Trung Khanh (Ban Gioc) 8 or 9 years ago, and you just reminded me how important and interesting the market was. Looks like I’ll have to go back and check it out again. Especially since in Thong Hue, it’s mostly the houses I really like. That’ll mean staying with the blacksmiths. Thanks, Asia, for the details.

Going to Ban Gioc is always interesting, but if you can choose, aren’t they more stunning after September? Before, you’d drop your pants and dive in to cross into China... We’d go a little past the middle and then rush back... Now you can rent a raft and float near the falls with the Chinese rafts.

Hello, good evening Jean Pierre

The falls didn’t leave me with an unforgettable memory.... I only saw a trickle of water (okay, I’m exaggerating a little😉)—you really have to pick the right moment, and I prefer the Vietnamese side, the small third that I find "romantic" (that’s my soft side talking) over the Chinese side. As for the rafts, it’s hardly an epic adventure—I would’ve found it more fun to jump in and rush back..😏. But the blacksmith villages and the markets? Oh YES, I’m a huge fan!

Hi Jean Pierre, Thanks for the details. It’s definitely tempting to do these 3 markets in 3 days and maybe combine it with Trung Khanh. Looking forward to reading more of your great tips. Eric

Miss Trouve Tout reminded me, as I expected... but she did provide the details 😏

Hi Miss Know-It-All,

Thanks for the details—it’s hard for me to sort out these markets. I’ll have to ask for a lesson because near Bao Lac, Trung Khanh market, Ban Gioc!!!! I don’t place Bao Lac near Ban Gioc!!! I’ll dig out my old 1950 military map and hope the names haven’t changed!!! Have a great day, and thanks again! Eric

No need to dig through your old maps—I didn’t explain myself well. Here’s the route: https://goo.gl/maps/nNQrS8RALX72

The first small market in Trùng Khánh, now called Po Tau, is at the gates of Cao Bằng. Market days: 1st and 6th day of the lunar month. The second Trùng Khánh is between Cao Bằng and Ban Gioc. Market days: 5th and 10th day of the lunar month, same as Bao Lạc, which is where the confusion comes from.

Hello,

We went there in May 2014. The water level was quite low. We still enjoyed the place and the road leading to it, with a stop at the fascinating Nguom Ngao caves. Check out our blog here for details and photos.

Have a great day, Michèle

Personally, I don’t think Ban Gioc Waterfalls are worth it. The road is too long and difficult. The photos make them look amazing, but in reality, I was disappointed. Northern Vietnam has plenty of other more beautiful spots.

The road is gorgeous and the setting of the falls (+ the cave) is stunning!

Hi Ericat; We’re planning our trip for July 17. There are local buses from Hanoi to Cao Bang (My Dinh station – My Dinh bus station). But do you know how to get to the waterfall from there? Can we contact a travel agency, or is it easy to do on our own? If anyone could shed some light, that’d be great! THANKS

No bus to Ban Gioc Waterfalls, so it's either renting motorbikes or going through an agency; it takes the whole day.

Hi Larsay; Thanks! Do you know of a local agency there? I couldn’t find any online. They all leave from Hanoi.