Cao Bang Tour: Ban Gioc Waterfall Camping Adventure

Camp at Angel Eye Mountain and wake to the sunrise over Cao Bang's wildest terrain.

A 2-day camping tour in Cao Bang (UNESCO Global Non Nuoc Geopark) that takes you to Ban Gioc Waterfall (a 30-meter cascade on the Vietnam-China border), and overnight at Angel Eye Mountain, where you sleep under canvas with no crowds. The itinerary includes motorbike transport with driver, a local guide, all entrance fees, camping equipment, and meals. You choose between car or motorbike as your main transport, and English-language guides are available as an add-on.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Ban Gioc waterfall and Angel Eye Mountain

• Pick up and breakfast at Eco Homestay
• Depart and admire Northeast mountains
• Stop at Ma Phuc Pass for photos
• Visit Phuc Sen forging village
• Visit Truc Lam Pagoda viewpoint
• Check in Ban Gioc Waterfall and boat ride
• Lunch at local restaurant near waterfall
• Explore Nguom Ngao Cave with guide
• Drive to Angel Eye Mountain via scenic route
• Check in and visit Nặm Trá waterfall
• Dinner with local cuisine at campsite

Day 2: Angel Eye Mountain and historical sites

• Sunrise photos and breakfast at campsite
• Visit Nam Tra Waterfall and optional activities
• Depart to Pac Bo Historical site
• Lunch at local restaurant near Pac Bo
• Visit Ho Chi Minh Museum and Pac Bo site
• Return to Cao Bang, visit Three Fairies Waterfall
• Tour Cao Bang city and shop local specialties
• Dinner and end of tour

The experience

If you're short on time but want to see Cao Bang's signature sights, two days is enough to hit all three: the waterfall, the mountain, and the historical sites. Day one starts with a car or motorbike pickup at your Cao Bang meeting point, breakfast at an eco-homestay, and a ride through the Northeast mountains with stops for photos at Ma Phuc Pass and the forging village at Phuc Sen. By mid-morning you're at Truc Lam Pagoda, which sits above Ban Gioc Waterfall, then you take a boat on the river to see the waterfall up close. Those three white silk-like blocks of water falling 30 meters are what make this one of Southeast Asia's most photographed cascades.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you explore Nguom Ngao Cave, where the guide walks you through the "Four Pillars of Heaven" stone formations and stalactite galleries that took thousands of years to form. Then the route turns inland toward Angel Eye Mountain through the rice fields of Trung Khanh and Tra Linh. You arrive in time to watch the sunset from the mountain's rim (a circular hole more than 50 meters across that gives the peak its name), and visit Nặm Trá waterfall nearby. Dinner is grilled dishes or hot pot cooked by locals, and you sleep in a full camping setup: tent, sleeping bag, tables, chairs, lights, and dedicated toilets.

Day two starts early if you want sunrise photos. After breakfast, you can walk to Nam Tra Waterfall or climb to the top of Angel Eye Mountain (climbing requires a local guide as an extra fee). Then the tour moves to Pac Bo, where Ho Chi Minh worked when he first returned to Vietnam. You'll see his memorial house, the caves, Lenin stream, and the KM0 marker at the end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. A tram is included for getting around the site. On the way back to Cao Bang city, you stop at Three Fairies Waterfall, have time to shop for local specialties, and finish with dinner in the city.

What’s included

• Motorbike or car transport with driver and fuel for the entire 2 days.
• entrance fees to Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Pac Bo historical site, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and Three Fairies Waterfall.
• one night camping with tent, sleeping bag, table, chair, lights and toilet.
• local Vietnamese-language guide.
• breakfast on Day 2, lunch on Day 1, and dinner both nights.
• tram transport at Pac Bo historical site.
• 1.5 liters of filtered water per person per day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Camping tour over two days to Angel Eye Mountain and Ban Gioc WaterfallUp to 15 people · Guide in Vietnamese · 07:30Pickup is included

Two-day, one-night camping tour by carUp to 12 people · Guide in Vietnamese · 07:30Car option: if guests prefer to travel by car, 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 dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (6 to 70 years) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live 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 18 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Cao Bang Eco Tour

Is this one for you?Choose the car option if you prefer sitting transport between sites and want to relax between stops. Pick the motorbike if you're comfortable riding and want a more immersive way through the mountain roads. Either way, the overnight camping at Angel Eye Mountain is what makes this a full escape from the city. You're sleeping on the mountain itself, not returning to a hotel each night.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 5 years). Children under 3 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's the difference between the car and motorbike options for this tour?

The car option is the main transport for Day 1 and Day 2 drives between sites. The motorbike option uses motorbikes with drivers instead. Both include the same stops, guide, meals, and camping night. You choose based on your comfort and preference for how you travel between locations.

Is an English-speaking guide available, or does the tour run only in Vietnamese?

The tour runs with a Vietnamese-language guide included. English-language guides are available as an add-on at checkout if you need one.

What exactly is included in the camping night at Angel Eye Mountain?

The campsite provides a tent, sleeping bag, table, chair, lights, and a dedicated toilet. You bring your own toiletries and sleep clothes. Everything else for the overnight is set up for you.

Can I climb to the top of Angel Eye Mountain, or is it just viewing from the base?

You can climb to the top of Angel Eye Mountain on Day 2 morning, but a local trekking guide is required and costs extra beyond the tour price. Walking to Nam Tra Waterfall is included without additional cost.

What meals are covered, and are drinks included?

Breakfast on Day 2, lunch on Day 1, and dinner on both nights are included. Water (1.5 liters per person per day) is free. Other drinks during meals and the trip are not included in the tour price.