2-day Ban Gioc Waterfall trek from Cao Bang: Ethnic villages

Two days trekking to the waterfall that straddles two countries

A 2-day trekking tour from Cao Bang to Ban Gioc Waterfall, Vietnam's largest and the world's fourth-largest, with overnight homestay in a Tay ethnic village. The tour includes trekking through forest and rice terraces, visiting Ngao Cave and Truc Lam Zen Monastery, meals with local families, and a boat ride to the waterfall at the Vietnam-China border. An English-speaking guide leads the route. Children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Trekking and Cultural Exploration

• Meet bus driver early morning
• Arrive and meet tour guide at homestay
• Visit Ngao Cave and explore formations
• Trek to Bong Son Tay Ethnic village
• Trek through terraces, forest, and stream
• Lunch at local family with cultural experience
• Continue trekking through nature and forest
• Trek back to homestay via different route
• Rest and shower at homestay
• Dinner with local cuisine
• Sleep at homestay

Day 2: River Trek and Waterfall Visit

• Breakfast with local specialties
• Trek along Quay Son River
• Visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery and view waterfall
• Visit Ban Gioc Waterfall and take boat ride
• Lunch at Thac Ban Gioc Restaurant
• Return to Cao Bang city by local bus
• Option to book limousine to Hanoi

The experience

The trek starts before dawn on day one when a driver picks you up and brings you to Khuoi Ki Stone Village, where your guide meets you at the homestay. From there you trek into Ngao Cave, a limestone cavern with stalactites and natural stone columns formed over millions of years, then continue to Bong Son, a Tay ethnic village built around 30-year-old stone houses. Lunch happens at a local family's home where you eat Cao Bang specialties and learn how the Tay people live. The afternoon trek takes you through rice terraces, forest and streams on a route designed so you don't retrace your steps on the way back. You return to the homestay by evening, shower, and have dinner with the family before sleeping there.

Day two starts with a local breakfast of rice paper, duck noodle soup and sour noodles, then you trek along the Quay Son River with views of the Chinese side across the water. The trek climbs to Truc Lam Zen Monastery, where the pagoda sits high enough to see Ban Gioc Waterfall spread across the valley below, with the Chinese glass bridge visible on the far bank and Vietnamese rice fields on this side. At the waterfall itself, you take a boat closer to the cascade so the spray reaches you, standing in the river at the exact border between the two countries. Lunch is at a local restaurant near the waterfall, then you return to Cao Bang city by local bus, arriving at the office by early afternoon.

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle for pickups and the return journey, all meals from dinner on day one through lunch on day two, and an English-speaking guide throughout. Insurance covers up to 20 million VND per case. Entry to the restricted border area costs 15 USD per person and is arranged separately. The physical demand is moderate: the trek involves several hours of walking each day on forest paths and village routes, with elevation changes and uneven terrain.

What’s included

• All meals from dinner on day one through lunch on day two.
• overnight homestay with a local Tay family.
• air-conditioned vehicle for pickup and return transport.
• English-speaking guide for both days.
• insurance up to 20 million VND per case.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 to 60 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 16 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Cao Bang Easy Deeping Tours

Is this one for you?This is a shared group tour led by a guide, so you trek with other travelers and follow the set itinerary. It suits anyone who wants the structure and company of a group, speaks English, and has moderate fitness for several hours of walking on forest paths and village routes each day. If you prefer a private guide or need a different language, check what options are available at booking.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many hours of actual trekking happen each day on this tour?

Day one includes roughly six hours of trekking spread across the morning and afternoon, with breaks for Ngao Cave and lunch at a local home. Day two is about three hours of trekking, mostly along the river and up to the monastery, then the boat ride to the waterfall.

What is Ngao Cave like, and how long do you spend inside it?

Ngao Cave, also called Tiger Cave, is a limestone cavern with stalactites and natural stone columns sculpted over millions of years into shapes like tigers, lotus flowers and jellyfish. You spend roughly an hour exploring it on the morning of day one.

Do you actually get close to Ban Gioc Waterfall, or do you view it from a distance?

You take a boat ride directly to the waterfall on day two, close enough that the spray from the cascade reaches you. The waterfall is the largest in Southeast Asia and the fourth-largest in the world, with water flowing across the Vietnam-China border.

What happens if I have a physical limitation or injury?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health, due to the trekking and uneven terrain involved. Discuss any concerns with the operator before booking.