Ba Be Lake and Ban Gioc Waterfall 3 Days

Duration: 3 days 2 nights

Destination: Hanoi - Lang Son - Quang Uyen - Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfall – Nguom Ngao Cave - Ba Be National Park

From US Tour Enquiry

This Vietnam adventure tour will take you from the vast lakes and chalky karsts of Ba Be National Park to the wild and rugged landscapes of Cao Bang to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall - As the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia.

Tour brief

Ba Be Lake is one of the most famous lakes in Vietnam, which is listed on the top 100 biggest freshwater lakes in the world. At the end of 2004, this destination is recognized as one of the ASEAN Heritage Garden. Along with the unique features of geography and high values of biodiversity, Ba Be Lake is renowned as the largest freshwater lake in Vietnam. Once you are ready, consider the special Northern Vietnam Adventure for our combined excursion to Ba Be. Not sure yet? Follow us to discover the miraculous stories about this beautiful land.

Ban Gioc waterfall is one of the most famous sites in Cao Bang province and one of the best tourist attractions in Vietnam. Located right at the borderline of Vietnam and China, the waterfall is about 400km from the city of Hanoi. Settled deep in the woods, the waterfall is truly a hidden gem. This is the fourth biggest waterfall shared between two countries and the largest natural waterfall in the South East Asia region. Ban Gioc waterfall is comprised by two parts: one on the left (the smaller part) and one on the right (the main part). The smaller part belongs entirely to Vietnam, and the main part is split between Vietnam and China. You can see the border marker separating the two countries when visiting Ban Gioc waterfall.

This tour will take you from the vast lakes and chalky karsts of Ba Be National Park to the wild and rugged landscapes of Cao Bang to visit the spectacular Ban Gioc waterfall. You will be travelling through remote areas in Northern Vietnam, brushing along the Chinese border and staying with local families to learn about and experience the unique cultures and customs of rural Vietnam.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi - Lang Son - Quang Uyen (L/D)
08:00 AM Tour guide will pick you up by car at your hotel in Hanoi old quarter and transferring you to Lang Son. We will start by driving in the direction of the Chinese border for about 3 hours, before stopping at Chi Lang Pass a 20kmlong gorge created from a narrow valley between two mountains. This place occupies an important position in Vietnamese history, being the place of many victories against various Chinese invasions over the centuries.

After lunch at a local restaurant in Dong Dang, you will continue your trip into the pass, stopping to visit Mother’s Temple and Dong Khe – an important historical site where The Battle of Dong Khe was fought during the First Indochina War. In fact, this was the very first battle of the Indochina Wars, and the fighting here took place through September and October 1950, ending in a resounding victory for the Viet Minh.

In the evening you will get to enjoy dinner and overnight rest in a local homestay owned and operated by a local Nung family.

Day 2: Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfall – Ba Be National Park (B/L/D)
After enjoying breakfast at the homestay, you will depart for Trung Khanh which lies right on the border with China. Here you will have another chance to meet and interact with the local Nung people living in the village of Phuoc Sen, a mountainous village famous for its traditional blacksmithing. The farming tools made here are an integral part of the lifestyle which is evident in the surrounding rice paddies and fields.

Nestled amongst these amazing landscapes is the breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall which spans over 300 meters, split half and half between Vietnam and China. You’ll get some time here to simply take in the amazing atmosphere surrounding the falls, which presents an excellent opportunity for some fantastic photography.

Once you’ve finished at the falls, it’s time to head over to Nguom Ngao Cave, for a very different, but no less impressive natural wonder. The cave stretches for 2,144 meters underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmites.

You will then return to Cao Bang town and head down the “snake pass” to Ba Be Lake, where you will stay overnight in a homestay constructed in traditional Tay fashion and owned and operated by a local Tay family. Here you can relax and unwind from the day and enjoy a delicious and authentic home cooked meal.

Day 3: Ba Be Lake - Hanoi (B/L)
After breakfast, you will board a boat to cross the lake to the north shore. From here you will start a hike in the rainforest of the central area of the Ba Be National Park. Along the shores of the lake, you will reach a prehistoric cave dating back 500 million years, hidden in an ancient forest composed of rare and hard wood trees, as strong as steel. Here you can observe the birds.

It is now time relax and admire the landscape or take a dip in the fresh waters of the lake? Anyway, enjoy the scenery with its beautiful karst formations lined with jungle.

Return to Ba Be restaurant for lunch before ending the tour, you will be taken about 230 km back to Hanoi.