Ban Gioc Waterfall & Nguom Ngao Cave 2-Day Tour from Hanoi

Summary

Ban Gioc’s wild spray, cave echoes & a mountain with a hole

You’ll hear Ban Gioc Waterfall before you see it—and feel its spray on your skin as you stand at the border of Vietnam and China. Walk through echoing caves, share jokes over local meals, and catch sunrise mist from Ban Gioc Pagoda. With hotel pickup and meals included, this two-day trip feels both adventurous and easygoing.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me wasn’t the sight of Ban Gioc Waterfall—it was the sound. We’d just stepped off the bus after hours winding through green northern Vietnam, and suddenly there it was: this deep, rolling thunder that you almost feel in your chest before you see anything. Our guide, Hien, grinned when he saw my face. “It’s louder in summer,” he said, but honestly I couldn’t imagine it any bigger. The air smelled like river stones and wet grass. There were locals selling sticky rice wrapped in leaves—Li laughed when I tried to say it in Vietnamese (I definitely butchered it). I still think about that view, how the water split into three wide curtains crashing down into blue pools right on the border with China.

After lunch—rice, pork, some kind of soup I never figured out—we ducked into Nguom Ngao Cave. It was cooler inside, almost cold compared to outside. The walls glistened with mineral patterns under our flashlights. Hien told us stories about tigers hiding here long ago; someone behind me made a low growl and we all cracked up. At one point we switched off our lights for a second and just stood there listening to water drip somewhere far off. It was weirdly peaceful.

The next morning started with a walk up to Ban Gioc Pagoda—nothing fancy but the view over the falls is something else; mist rising off the water, sunlight catching on all that spray. Then we went to Angle’s Eye Mountain (locals call it Thung Mountain), which has this giant hole right through its middle—like nature got bored and poked a finger through for fun. Lunch was back in Quang Uyen District before heading toward Hanoi again. The bus ride home felt quieter somehow—maybe everyone was tired or maybe we were just letting it all sink in.

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
• Visit Nguom Ngao Cave
• Travel to hotel near Ban Gioc
• Check-in and relax at hotel
• Dinner at hotel or local restaurant

Day 2 — Visit Pagoda and Return to Hanoi

• Breakfast and check-out
• Visit Ban Gioc Pagoda
• Visit Angle’s Eye Mountain
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Return to Hanoi
• Arrive in Hanoi

Top questions

How long does the Ban Gioc Waterfall tour from Hanoi take?

This is a 2-day, 1-night tour departing from Hanoi Old Quarter early morning and returning around 6:30 PM on day two.

Is hotel pickup included for this Ban Gioc tour?

Yes, pickup from hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter is included at the start of the tour.

Are meals provided during the Ban Gioc Waterfall trip?

Yes, lunch and dinner on day one plus breakfast and lunch on day two are included.

Does this tour visit Nguom Ngao Cave?

Yes, entry to Nguom Ngao (Tiger) Cave is part of the itinerary after visiting Ban Gioc Waterfall.

What kind of accommodation is included?

You’ll stay one night at So Oanh Hotel or a similar local 2-star hotel near Ban Gioc Waterfall.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this trip?

Yes, an English-Vietnamese speaking guide accompanies your group throughout the tour.

Are entrance fees covered in the price?

All entrance fees for attractions listed are included in your booking price.

Is vegetarian food available on this tour?

A vegetarian option can be arranged if you request it when booking.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter, modern bus or van transfers throughout Cao Bang province, all entrance fees for Ban Gioc Waterfall and Nguom Ngao Cave, overnight accommodation at a comfortable local hotel near the falls, meals as described (with vegetarian options if needed), bottled water each day, plus support from an English-Vietnamese speaking guide who keeps things running smoothly—even if you stumble over your Vietnamese now and then.