Cao Bang Loop Tour: 2-Day Ban Gioc Waterfall & Local Villages

Ban Gioc waterfall, mountain caves, and three working craft villages in two days

A 2-day Cao Bang loop tour with a local guide takes you by motorbike or car through the region's most visited sites: Ma Phuc Pass and its mountain "eye," Nguom Ngao cave with its natural stone formations, Ban Gioc waterfall on the Vietnam-China border, and three villages where artisans still hand-forge tools, make paper, and dry incense. You stay in a homestay near the waterfall, eat local food, and return to Cao Bang city by late afternoon on day two. Small groups, relaxed pace, and guides who speak English or Vietnamese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Ban Gioc Waterfall and Surroundings

• Start from Cao Bang city around 8:00
• Visit Mountain Angel Eye
• Explore Nguom Ngao cave
• See Ban Gioc waterfall and take boat ride
• Climb Truc Lam pagoda for panoramic view
• Travel to Homestay near Ban Gioc Waterfall
• Enjoy dinner with local specialties

Day 2: Discover Villages and Scenic Valleys

• Have breakfast with coffee
• Visit Phong Nam Valley and Ngoc Con panorama
• Explore Black Forging village at Phuc Sen
• Visit Paper village at Ban Dia Tren
• See incense-making at Phia Thap village
• Return to Cao Bang city and finish tour

The experience

The tour starts from Cao Bang city around 8:00 am on day one. You'll ride or drive north through the mountains, stopping first at Ma Phuc Pass to see the natural hole carved through the ridge: locals call it the Mountain Angel Eye, a gap in the stone that frames the green valleys below. From there you move to Nguom Ngao cave, where stalactites shaped over millions of years form figures the guides point out: tigers, lotus flowers, jellyfish, boats. The cave still holds its original character, untouched by heavy tourism.

Ban Gioc waterfall is the centerpiece of day one. It's the 4th largest waterfall in the world and sits on the border between Vietnam and China. The river itself marks the line between countries. A boat takes you closer to the falls so you feel the spray and the power of the water. From Truc Lam pagoda, perched above the waterfall, you look down at the whole scene: the waterfall itself, the Chinese glass bridge visible on the far bank, and Vietnamese rice fields on your side. After this full day you move by bus to a homestay near Ban Gioc, where you eat dinner made with local ingredients and sleep in a private room.

Day two takes you inland to Phong Nam Valley and Ngoc Con panorama, where the limestone mountains and rice fields stretch out in all directions. The real focus is the three villages: at Phuc Sen you watch blacksmiths forge knives and farming tools by hand using techniques that have survived for generations; at Ban Dia Tren you see how local artisans make paper from natural materials and can try the craft yourself; at Phia Thap you observe incense being dried in the sun after the natural ingredients are mixed and bundled. You're back in Cao Bang city by 6:00 pm.

What’s included

• Motorbike and gasoline (or car, depending on your choice at checkout).
• one bottle of water per person each day.
• all entrance tickets to the attractions.
• dinner on day one and breakfast on day two.
• private room accommodation at the homestay.
• local guide in English or Vietnamese.
• professional and experienced driver.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Audio guideVietnamese

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 47 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 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by LV Travel

Is this one for you?Small groups keep the pace relaxed and the experience personal. The motorbike option lets you feel the mountain roads and stop where you want, while the car option suits travelers who prefer not to ride. Children from age 10 are welcome, and the itinerary is designed for all fitness levels, though the day involves walking through caves and climbing to the pagoda viewpoint.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years). Children under 10 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.

Do I need an international driver's license to ride the motorbike myself?

Yes, an International Driver License is required if you want to ride the motorbike. If you don't have one or prefer not to ride, you can book a private driver to operate the motorbike while you ride as a passenger.

What is Ban Gioc waterfall like when you get there?

Ban Gioc is the 4th largest waterfall in the world, located on the Vietnam-China border. A boat takes you close enough to feel the water spray, and from Truc Lam pagoda above it you see the full landscape: the waterfall, the Chinese glass bridge across the river, and Vietnamese rice fields on the near bank.

What do you actually do in the three craft villages on day two?

At Phuc Sen village you watch blacksmiths hand-forge knives and farming tools using techniques passed down for generations. At Ban Dia Tren you observe artisans making paper from natural materials and can try making it yourself. At Phia Thap you see incense bundles being dried in the sun after the natural ingredients are prepared and mixed.

Where do you sleep on this tour?

You stay in a private room at a homestay near Ban Gioc waterfall on the night of day one. The homestay provides dinner with local specialties and breakfast the next morning before you depart for day two's villages.

What happens if I'm traveling alone?

The tour requires a minimum of two people to operate. If you're traveling solo, contact the operator directly to discuss options and support for a single-person booking.