River Hideaway. ← Hostel
Bản Giốc waterfall in Cao Bằng
the quiet far north-east

Cao Bằng

6–9 h by night bus Best: mid-Sep – Oct Shortest worth it: 2 days

Green where Hà Giang is grey: jade rivers, rolling karst hills, Tày and Nùng villages and far fewer tourists. The star is Bản Giốc, a waterfall that drops in tiers across the whole width of a border river, with bamboo rafts that take you close enough to feel the spray. Around it: caves, mountain passes, and a mountain with a hole straight through it.

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Tours we book

Real departures from our desk, with the operator’s own route. Pick one and message us: we check dates and seats, then confirm.

Pointed karst peaks rising behind maize and sugarcane fields under a cloudy skyBản Giốc waterfall from above: white cascades around a green pool in the forestClear turquoise water of the Lenin stream under sunlit green branchesFive travellers in conical hats and life jackets on a raft below Bản Giốc waterfallJasmine ToursCao Bằng loop and Bản Giốc, 3 days3 days · 2 nights + bus the day before · Easy rider, ride yourself, or SUV or jeep with a driverEasy rider Ask for priceRide yourself Ask for priceSUV with driver Ask for priceJeep with driver Ask for priceSee full detailsHide details
StartLeaves Cao Bằng city after breakfast. Get there the day before: day limousine (about 5.5 h) or night bus (about 7 h) from Hà Nội
FinishBack in Cao Bằng city around 13:00–14:00 on day 3
  1. Day 1Countryside and Tày villages, the Khau Cốc Chà pass, then Pác Bó: the Lenin stream, Cốc Bó cave and an optional short hike up Karl Marx peak. Homestay near Pác Bó.
  2. Day 2Villages and valleys, Ngườm Ngao cave, then Bản Giốc waterfall and a bamboo raft up close to the falls. Homestay near the falls.
  3. Day 3A slow morning at the falls, Phúc Sen blacksmith village, Mã Phục pass, Angel Eye mountain, back to Cao Bằng city.

Included

  • Local guide, group travel
  • Semi-automatic bike + fuel, or your easy rider
  • Damage cover for the semi-automatic bike
  • 2 nights in homestays, dorm rooms
  • 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
  • Sightseeing tickets + Bản Giốc boat

Not included

  • Bus to Cao Bằng and back (we can add it)
  • Travel insurance
  • Drinks
  • Personal spending
  • A private room (ask us)
Good to know
  • Day limousines leave Hà Nội at 7:00, 10:00 and 16:00.
  • Night buses leave at 19:00, 20:00 or 21:00 and arrive about 3:00.
  • Riding yourself? Bring a 1968 IDP + home licence, both A or A1.
  • Electric scooter, 125cc or 150cc dirt bike on request.
  • The SUV and jeep options are private, with a driver.
  • Ask us what the SUV and jeep options include.
Ask about this tour

Tour code: CB-J3

What’s there

1

Bản Giốc waterfall

About 300 m wide, in tiers, on the border river. A bamboo raft takes you to the foot of the falls.

2

Ngườm Ngao cave

A big limestone cave near the falls, with lit walkways.

3

Mắt Thần mountain

A mountain with a huge natural hole near the top, framed by rice fields.

4

Mã Phục pass

Switchbacks with views over the valley on the way to the falls.

5

Khuổi Ky stone village

A Tày village of stone stilt houses, about 400 years old.

6

Thang Hen lakes

A chain of jade-green mountain lakes linked underground.

7

Pác Bó

Hồ Chí Minh’s 1941 hideout, by a stream so clear it looks dyed.

Pack

Original passportRain jacket + shoes with gripWarm layerMotion-sickness tabletsDry bag for the raft
Good to knowBản Giốc sits right on the Chinese border. Carry your original passport, leave the drone at the hostel, and stay on the Vietnamese side of the markers. Swimming at the falls isn’t allowed. After very heavy rain the falls area can close for a day until the water drops.
Ask about dates + prices

More trips from Hà Nội

Hà Giang loop4 days · night bus
Sa Pa3 days · trek + homestay
Hạ Long Bay2 days · cruise
Ninh Bình1 day · boats + bikes
Ask about a tour← Hostel