Ban Gioc Waterfall tour from Hanoi: Cave, pagoda, valley

Walk through a 500-million-year-old cave, then stand at a waterfall on the Vietnam-China border

A tour from Hanoi to Cao Bang that visits Ban Gioc Waterfall, an untouched cave with 500-million-year-old fossils, Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda overlooking the border, and traditional craft villages. The tour runs one to three days with a local English-speaking guide, motorbike transport, hotel pickup in Hanoi, all entry tickets and meals included. Choose between shared bus options with cabin accommodation or a private van tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Ban Gioc Waterfall and surroundings

• Explore Angel's Eye cave
• Visit Ban Gioc Waterfall
• Discover Ngoc Con Valley
• Visit Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda
• Explore traditional craft villages

The experience

The cave is the centerpiece: described as one of the most untouched in the world and the core of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, with fossils nearly 500 million years old embedded in the rock. From there, you move to Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda, which sits on the mountainside facing the waterfall itself, giving you a panoramic view across the border into China. Ban Gioc Waterfall cascades down between Vietnam and China, and after seeing it, the route takes you into Ngoc Con Valley, a secluded stretch known for its natural landscape and biodiversity.

The day also includes stops at traditional craft villages that have operated for hundreds of years: paper making, incense, knife forging, terracotta tile production. You'll travel by motorbike through the region, which means you move at a pace that lets you absorb the terrain rather than rush through it. A local guide in English walks you through each site and explains what you're seeing. If you book a one-day option, you fit waterfall, cave, pagoda views, hiking and the villages into a single push. Longer tours (two or three days) add overnight stays in Cao Bang, so you're not racing back to Hanoi the same evening.

Hotel pickup in Hanoi is included, and you travel either by shared sleeping bus (with cabin options ranging from basic to VIP) or by private van, depending on which option you choose at checkout. Breakfast, lunch and a snack are provided each day. The operator notes this tour suits all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns or pregnancy. Children from age 5 are welcome.

What’s included

• Local English-speaking guide.
• motorbike transport through the region.
• hotel pickup and return transport from Hanoi (by shared sleeping bus or private van, depending on your option).
• all entry tickets to the cave, pagoda, waterfall and villages.
• breakfast, lunch and snack each day.

Options for this experience

10 options

2 nights, 1 day: Easy rider (ER), Luxury cabinGuide in English · No fixed timeDuration 8 hours, with local food. Itinerary: Ban Gioc Waterfall, Tiger Cave, Truc Lam Pagoda. Travel by Easy rider (ER) and sleeper bus in a luxury single cabin (Lux). Pickup is included.

V.I.P cabin for a 1-day, 2-night stayGuide in English · No fixed timeDuration 8 hours, with local food. Itinerary: Ban Gioc Waterfall, Tiger Cave, Truc Lam Pagoda. Travel by Easy rider and sleeper bus in a V.I.P cabin, just for 1 adult or 1 adult and 1 child. Pickup is included.

Private tour, 2 days 1 night: Van, PrivateGuide in English · No fixed timeOvernight in a private room (Pvt) at a homestay near Ban Gioc Waterfall. Duration 12 hours, with local food. Itinerary: traditional craft village, Tiger Cave, Truc Lam Pagoda, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ngoc Con Valley, Angel Eye Mountain. Vehicle: 7-seat car, with the driver also acting as tour guide. Limousine picks you up from your accommodation in Hanoi Old Quarter and transfers you to Cao Bang city and back (round trip). Pickup is included.

See 7 more options

Private tour, 2 days 1 night: Van, VillaGuide in English · No fixed timeOvernight in a villa with a river view near Ban Gioc Waterfall. Duration 12 hours, with local food. Itinerary: traditional craft village, Tiger Cave, Truc Lam Pagoda, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ngoc Con Valley, Angel Eye Mountain. Vehicle: 7-seat car, with the driver also acting as tour guide. Limousine picks you up from your accommodation in Hanoi Old Quarter and transfers you to Cao Bang city and back (round trip). Pickup is included.

3 nights, 2 days: Easy rider (ER), Dorm, LuxuryGuide in English · No fixed timeRest briefly in Cao Bang city. Overnight in a dorm at a homestay near Ban Gioc Waterfall. Duration 16 hours, with local food. Itinerary: Angel Eye Mountain, traditional craft villages, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Tiger Cave, Truc Lam Pagoda, Ngoc Con Valley. Travel by Easy rider (ER) and sleeper bus in a luxury single cabin (Lux). Pickup is included.

3 nights, 2 days: Easy rider (ER), Private, LuxuryGuide in English · No fixed timeRest briefly in Cao Bang city. Overnight in a private room (Pvt) at a homestay near Ban Gioc Waterfall. Duration 16 hours, with local food. Itinerary: Angel Eye Mountain, traditional craft villages, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Tiger Cave, Truc Lam Pagoda, Ngoc Con Valley. Travel by Easy rider (ER) and sleeper bus in a luxury single cabin (Lux). Pickup is included.

3 nights, 2 days: Easy rider (ER), Dorm, VIPGuide in English · No fixed timeRest briefly in Cao Bang city. Overnight in a dorm at a homestay near Ban Gioc Waterfall. Duration 16 hours, with local food. Itinerary: Angel Eye Mountain, traditional craft villages, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Tiger Cave, Truc Lam Pagoda, Ngoc Con Valley. Travel by Easy rider (ER) and sleeper bus in a V.I.P cabin (VIP), just for 1 adult or 1 adult and 1 child. Pickup is included.

3 nights, 2 days: Easy rider (ER), Villa, LuxuryGuide in English · No fixed timeRest briefly in Cao Bang city. Overnight in a villa near Ban Gioc Waterfall with a river view. Duration 16 hours, with local food. Itinerary: Angel Eye Mountain, traditional craft villages, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Tiger Cave, Truc Lam Pagoda, Ngoc Con Valley. Travel by Easy rider (ER) and sleeper bus in a luxury single cabin (Lux). Pickup is included.

3 nights, 2 days: Easy rider (ER), Private, VIPGuide in English · No fixed timeRest briefly in Cao Bang city. Overnight in a private room (Pvt) at a homestay near Ban Gioc Waterfall. Duration 16 hours, with local food. Itinerary: Angel Eye Mountain, traditional craft villages, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Tiger Cave, Truc Lam Pagoda, Ngoc Con Valley. Travel by Easy rider (ER) and sleeper bus in a V.I.P cabin (VIP), just for 1 adult or 1 adult and 1 child. Pickup is included.

3 nights, 2 days: Easy rider (ER), Villa, VIPGuide in English · No fixed timeRest briefly in Cao Bang city. Overnight in a villa near Ban Gioc Waterfall with a river view. Duration 16 hours, with local food. Itinerary: Angel Eye Mountain, traditional craft villages, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Tiger Cave, Truc Lam Pagoda, Ngoc Con Valley. Travel by Easy rider (ER) and sleeper bus in a V.I.P cabin (VIP), just for 1 adult or 1 adult and 1 child. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 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 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Viet Adventure

Is this one for you?Book the one-day option if you're based in Hanoi and want to see the cave and waterfall without staying overnight. Choose a two- or three-day tour if you want time to explore the villages and valleys without the rush back to the city the same evening.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 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.

What exactly is inside the cave at Cao Bang?

The cave holds fossils nearly 500 million years old and is described as one of the most untouched cave systems in the world. It forms the core of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark and is the main geological feature of the tour.

Can I see China from the waterfall?

Yes. Ban Gioc Waterfall cascades down the border between Vietnam and China, and from Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda, which overlooks the waterfall, you have a panoramic view across into China.

How long does a one-day tour take?

A one-day tour runs roughly eight hours and includes the cave, pagoda, waterfall, a hike, motorbike travel and visits to traditional craft villages, all in one day from Hanoi.

Do I travel by bus or van?

You choose at checkout. Shared tours use a sleeping bus with cabin accommodation options (basic, luxury or VIP). Private tours use a van. Both include hotel pickup in Hanoi and the return journey.

What traditional crafts do the villages still make?

The villages specialize in paper making, incense production, knife forging and terracotta tile making. All crafts that have been practiced there for hundreds of years.

Is the tour guided, and what language?

A local guide in English accompanies you throughout the tour, explaining each site and the local culture as you move through the region.