Ban Gioc Waterfall: 3-Day Hanoi Trip & Camping at Angle's Eye

Three Days to Vietnam's Largest Waterfall & a Night Under Stars

You leave Hanoi early morning and reach Ban Gioc Waterfall by afternoon, spending your first night in a hotel nearby. Day two takes you to Ban Gioc Pagoda for the aerial view, then by motorbike to Angle's Eye Mountain, where you camp in a tent with meals and a campfire included. On the final morning you catch the sunrise, trek the summit, and return to Hanoi by evening. The guide, van, all meals, and entrance fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel to Ban Gioc Waterfall and Cave

• Pick up from Hanoi hotel
• Depart to Ban Gioc Waterfall
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Ban Gioc Waterfall
• Explore Nguom Ngao Cave
• Check in hotel near Ban Gioc
• Dinner at hotel

Day 2 — Visit Pagoda and Camp at Angle’s Eye

• Breakfast and check out
• Visit Ban Gioc Pagoda viewpoint
• Travel to Angle’s Eye Mountain
• Lunch on the way
• Arrive and set up camp
• Rest and optional stream activities
• BBQ dinner and campfire
• Overnight camping in tent

Day 3 — Morning Trek and Return to Hanoi

• Welcome the dawn
• Breakfast with coffee
• Optional paddle sup and bath
• Trek to top of Angle’s Eye Mountain
• Pack up and end camping
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Return to Hanoi
• Arrive in Hanoi and end tour

The Experience

"The waterfall is bigger than the photos," our guide told us on the drive north from Hanoi, and he wasn't exaggerating. Ban Gioc drops 30 meters across 300 meters of limestone face—the largest waterfall in Vietnam, straddling the border between Vietnam and China. The pickup starts at 6 a.m. from the Hanoi Old Quarter, and by midday you're standing in front of it, the Quay Son River emerald-green and loud. Most people only see it for an afternoon, take their photos, and leave. This tour keeps you there.

The first night lands you in Cao Bang province near the waterfall itself, so you're not racing back to the city. Day two is the part that sticks with you: after visiting Ban Gioc Pagoda for the overhead view, you move by motorbike or van to Angle's Eye Mountain—a limestone peak with a hole clean through it—and camp there in a tent. The Cao Bang Camping team sets you up with air mattresses and sleeping bags, and at sunset you're paddling a SUP on the stream or just sitting with a glass of corn wine around the campfire, roasting corn. It sounds like a cliché until you're actually doing it, and the limestone walls are turning orange and the air is cooling down.

Morning three starts at 6 a.m. with the sunrise. You trek to the summit of Angle's Eye Mountain, eat breakfast with instant noodles and coffee, then pack out and head back to Hanoi by lunchtime, arriving around 6:30 p.m. The whole thing is three days and two nights—two meals a day, English-speaking guide, van transport, entrance fees, and one night in a 2-star hotel near the waterfall. The camping night is the trade: you're in a tent with basic facilities, but that's the point. If you're thinking about doing this, book it for a weekday if you can; the waterfall stays quiet outside weekends and holidays, which is why it still feels like somewhere most people haven't been.

What’s included

• Hotel accommodation for one night in Cao Bang province (2-star standard).
• one night camping in a tent with air mattress and sleeping bag at Angle's Eye Mountain.
• all entrance fees to Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ban Gioc Pagoda, and Angle's Eye Mountain.
• breakfast, lunch, and dinner on all three days.
• one bottle of water per person per day.
• modern van transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter and back.
• English-speaking tour guide throughout.
• 24/7 hotline support.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Vietnam Travel Top

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Vietnam's largest waterfall without rushing back the same day, and you're willing to camp one night to do it—the overnight stay near the waterfall and the mountain campsite are what make a full three-day experience possible instead of a long day trip.

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Top questions

How far is Ban Gioc Waterfall from Hanoi?

The drive is approximately 240 kilometers northeast, taking around 5–6 hours depending on road conditions. Pickup begins at 6 a.m. from the Hanoi Old Quarter.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel accommodation for one night (2-star), one night camping in a tent with air mattress and sleeping bag, all entrance fees, meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day), bottled water, van transfer, and an English-speaking guide.

Is the camping night comfortable?

The campsite provides air mattresses, sleeping bags, and basic facilities. There's a stream for bathing, and a house 300 meters away with hot and cold showers if you prefer. It's rustic but equipped for comfort.

Can I do activities like paddling or swimming?

Yes. Paddling SUP and bathing in the stream are available during the rainy season (April to August). Boat rides near the waterfall are also available but cost extra. Outside rainy season, you can rest, cycle, or take photos instead.

What time do I get back to Hanoi?

The tour returns to Hanoi around 6:30 p.m. on day three, after lunch in Quang Uyen District and the drive back from Cao Bang.

Is this suitable for beginners or people who don't hike much?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. The trek to Angle's Eye Mountain summit on the final morning is moderate. If you have cardiovascular concerns, check with your doctor beforehand.

What if the weather is bad?

The itinerary can change due to weather, tide levels, and operating conditions. The tour operator will adjust activities to keep you safe and make the most of the time available.

Can I request vegetarian meals or special diets?

Yes. Send any dietary requests or special needs to the operator before your departure date so they can arrange meals accordingly.

Do I need to bring anything for camping?

The campsite provides sleeping bags and air mattresses. Bring comfortable clothes for cool evenings, a light jacket, and toiletries. The operator supplies tents and bedding.

Is there a boat ride option at the waterfall?

Yes, you can take a boat near Ban Gioc Waterfall, but it's not included in the tour price and costs extra. It's optional.