Ban Gioc Waterfall & Ba Be: 3-Day Adventure with Homestays

Summary

Ba Be to Ban Gioc waterfall journey through remote villages

You’ll travel from Hanoi into Vietnam’s far north: exploring ruined citadels, sharing meals in Tay & Nung homestays, feeling Ban Gioc waterfall’s spray on your skin, hiking rainforest trails by Ba Be Lake. Expect real connection with local families and landscapes that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left Hanoi when the landscape started changing — rice paddies giving way to these pale limestone cliffs that looked like something out of an old ink painting. Our guide, Minh, had this easy laugh and pointed out the Mạc Citadel ruins as we climbed out of the van. I remember running my hand along the stone — cool and rough — while Minh told us about old battles and feuding dynasties. The air smelled faintly smoky from someone burning rice straw nearby. Lunch was in Đồng Đăng, at a place where the owner just kept piling more herbs onto our noodles until I almost lost track of what was what.

By evening, we reached Quang Uyen and met our Nùng hosts. Their stilt house creaked softly underfoot, and dinner felt more like being at a friend’s table than anything formal — sticky rice, home-brewed corn wine (stronger than I expected), laughter bouncing around even though our Vietnamese was terrible. The next morning, after a breakfast that included some kind of fried cake I still think about, we drove toward Ban Gioc waterfall. It’s right on the border with China — you can literally see the other side. The falls thundered so loud you had to shout over them, but standing close enough to feel the spray on your face made it all feel very real.

Minh took us through Phuoc Sen village where blacksmiths hammer tools by hand (the clang echoed off the hills). Later, inside Nguom Ngao Cave, everything was hushed except for water dripping from stalactites — it felt ancient in there. That night we stayed with a Tay family near Ba Be Lake. Their house overlooked water that caught every bit of pink sunset; dinner was fish they’d caught that day, cooked with wild herbs I couldn’t name.

The last morning started early with a boat ride across Ba Be Lake — mist still hanging low over the water so you couldn’t quite see where it ended. We hiked through rainforest that smelled green and sharp, past trees older than anyone could guess. Minh showed us An Ma temple; he said locals come here for luck before big decisions. On the way back to Hanoi we stopped at a tea plantation, which honestly felt like another world compared to three days ago. I keep thinking about those quiet moments by the lake — not sure I’ll ever forget them.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi to Quang Uyen via Lang Son

• Pick up from Hanoi hotel
• Drive to Lang Son
• Visit Mạc Citadel
• Lunch in Đồng Đăng
• Visit Đông Khê battle site
• Walk 3-5km in ethnic villages
• Stay overnight at Nùng homestay

Day 2 — Ban Gioc Waterfall and Ba Be National Park

• Breakfast at homestay
• Visit Phuoc Sen village
• See Ban Gioc Waterfall
• Explore Nguom Ngao Cave
• Travel to Ba Be Lake
• Dinner and overnight at Tay homestay

Day 3 — Ba Be Lake hike and return to Hanoi

• Breakfast at homestay
• Boat across Ba Be Lake
• Hike in Ba Be National Park
• Visit prehistoric cave and fire station
• Visit An Ma temple
• Boat ride or swim in lake
• Lunch at Ba Be Jungle Houses
• Stop at tea plantation
• Return to Hanoi and end tour

Top questions

How long is the drive from Hanoi to Ban Gioc waterfall?

The journey is split over two days with stops; expect several hours of scenic driving each day between Hanoi, Quang Uyen, Ban Gioc waterfall, and Ba Be Lake.

Is accommodation included in this tour?

Yes, accommodation is included at local Nùng and Tay family homestays in Quang Uyen and near Ba Be Lake.

Are meals provided during the tour?

All main meals are included: breakfast at homestays plus lunch and dinner at local restaurants or with host families.

What physical fitness level is required?

The tour suits most fitness levels but includes some walking (3-5km) and hiking in Ba Be National Park.

Is hotel pickup available in Hanoi?

Yes, hotel pickup is included from accommodations in Hanoi Old Quarter or Mr Linh's Adventures office.

Are entrance fees covered?

All sightseeing tickets and travel permits are included in your booking.

Can dietary needs be accommodated?

Dishes are mostly local Vietnamese fare; special requests should be mentioned when booking but options may be limited in remote areas.

Is there an English-speaking guide?

An experienced English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout the trip.

What’s included

Your trip includes hotel pickup in Hanoi Old Quarter or Mr Linh's office, comfortable transport with a professional driver, all entrance fees and permits along the route near the Chinese border, overnight stays at Nùng and Tay stilt house homestays (with home-cooked meals), bottled water throughout, guided walks through historic sites like Mạc Citadel and Dong Khe battle site, bamboo raft ride at Ban Gioc waterfall, hiking tours in Ba Be forest plus support from your English-speaking guide every step of the way before returning to Hanoi after lunch on day three.