Looking for a jaw-dropping escape from the city? The Hanoi Ban Gioc Waterfall is calling! Just 331 km from Hanoi, this stunning natural wonder—ranked as the fourth-largest cross-border waterfall in the world—is perfect for a 2-day adventure. Whether you’re planning your itinerary or still wondering how many days for Hanoi, this guide will show you why the journey from Hanoi to Ban Gioc Waterfall is an unforgettable highlight. Let’s dive into the misty magic of Hanoi Ban Gioc Waterfall and everything you need to make the most of it!
Let’s talk about how you can travel from Hanoi to the incredible Hanoi Ban Gioc Waterfall! With a distance of about 331 km, it’s perfect for a 2-day trip, and you’ve got a few great options to choose from depending on your time, budget, and sense of adventure.
If you’re wondering how many days for Hanoi before heading out, this option is ideal for comfort and saving energy.
For those who love road trips, driving from Hanoi to Ban Gioc Waterfall is a real treat!
Tips:
This is a great choice if you’ve already explored the city and are deciding how many days for Hanoi is enough before heading out.
Want something different? Take a detour through Mau Son—a mountain paradise!
Motorbike (Source: hagiangeasyriders)
06:00 – Departure from Hanoi
Meet your driver or tour guide at your hotel or the meeting point. Begin your road trip from Hanoi to Ban Gioc Waterfall. If you’re still deciding how many days for Hanoi, now’s the time to say goodbye to the capital and hello to the northern mountains!
09:30 – Breakfast stop in Thai Nguyen or Bac Kan
Quick local breakfast (e.g. banh cuon or pho) to refuel and stretch your legs.
12:00 – Visit Pac Bo Historical Site
Walk where Ho Chi Minh once lived and worked in secret during wartime. Explore Coc Bo Cave, the Lê Nin Stream, and Karl Marx Mountain. A moving and powerful site for any history lover.
12:00 – Explore Ba Be Lake (Optional)
Take a boat ride on this peaceful freshwater lake. Paddle through caves, past fishing villages, and enjoy a nature break that soothes the soul.
14:30 – Continue the drive to Cao Bang City
Pass through beautiful rural roads, with terraced fields and traditional stilt houses.
17:00 – Check-in at hotel or homestay in Cao Bang
Freshen up and get ready for dinner.
18:30 – Dinner with local specialties
Enjoy authentic Cao Bang dishes like khau nhuc, grilled chicken, or xoi ngu sac.
Overnight – Stay in Cao Bang City
Sleep well—you’re heading to the iconic Hanoi Ban Gioc Waterfall tomorrow!
Ba Be Lake (Source: vietnamtourism)
06:30 – Check out and depart for Ban Gioc Waterfall
It’s a 90km drive from Cao Bang to the falls—expect lush valleys and dramatic cliffs along the way.
08:30 – Arrive at Hanoi Ban Gioc Waterfall
Welcome to the breathtaking Hanoi Ban Gioc Waterfall, where powerful water tumbles down the limestone cliffs, marking the border between Vietnam and China.
09:00 – Rafting experience (optional)
Hop on a bamboo raft for a close-up view of the falls. Feel the mist, hear the roar, and snap those epic photos!
10:30 – Visit Truc Lam Pagoda
Walk up to this peaceful temple with sweeping views of the waterfall from above. A perfect place to breathe in the mountain air and reflect.
11:30 – Explore Nguom Ngao Cave
Just 3km from the waterfall, this incredible cave system features stunning stalactites shaped like lotuses, animals, and coral reefs—some say it’s more magical than the falls!
12:30 – Lunch at a local restaurant
Taste Cao Bang’s mountain flavors: try ca tram hương (herb-marinated grilled fish) or banh cuon with pork and dipping broth.
13:30 – Stop at Khuoi Ky Stone Village
Stroll through this 400-year-old village of the Tay people, where every house is built with stone and history echoes in the mountain air.
14:30 – Begin return trip to Hanoi
Settle in for the scenic drive back, passing through winding mountain passes and sleepy hamlets.
20:30 – 21:00 – Arrive in Hanoi
End of tour! You’re back in the capital with unforgettable memories of the Hanoi Ban Gioc Waterfall adventure.
Ban Gioc Waterfall (Source: vietjetair)
Just 3 km from Ban Gioc Waterfall, this limestone cave stretches over 2,000 meters and features some of the most spectacular stalactites and stalagmites in Vietnam. The name “Nguom Ngao” means “Tiger Cave” in the Tay language, and it’s an underground world that feels like a fantasy novel come to life.
Nguom Ngao Cave (Source: tripadvisor)
Located just 2 km from the waterfall, this 400-year-old stone village of the Tay ethnic group is unlike any other. Homes here are made completely of stone and still reflect traditional stilt architecture. It’s a wonderful place to witness local life, try Tay food, and even stay overnight in a homestay!
Khuoi Ky Stone Village (Source: caobanggeopark)
This is the first Buddhist temple ever built near a border in Vietnam. Climb the steps (about 200 of them!) and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the waterfall and the surrounding forested peaks. The temple itself is serene, beautifully designed, and a great place for peaceful reflection.
Truc Lam Buddhist Pagoda (Source: wikipedia)
This Vietnam–China border stone marker is a popular stop for photos—and pride! It’s safe and accessible for tourists, as it lies within the area allowed for sightseeing. Just don’t cross over unless you’re with immigration officers!
Cot moc 836/1 (Source: vov2)
Mobile signal can be spotty in the remote areas near the Hanoi Ban Gioc Waterfall, especially on mountainous roads.
Tip: Fill up your gas tank in major towns like Cao Bang City and Trung Khanh before entering rural zones. Download Google Maps offline or bring a paper map—yes, old school works best up here!
From October to December, the area around the Hanoi Ban Gioc Waterfall gets a surge in visitors—thanks to the festival season, dry weather, and golden rice fields. Guesthouses and homestays fill up fast!
Tip: Reserve your homestay in Khuoi Ky Village or hotel in Cao Bang City at least a week early. You’ll thank yourself later for avoiding the “no vacancy” blues.
You’ll pass through many ethnic Tày and Nùng villages on your Hanoi to Ban Gioc Waterfall trip, especially near Khuoi Ky, Nguom Ngao, and Pac Bo. These communities are warm and welcoming—but also hold deep traditions.
Tip:
Weather around the Hanoi Ban Gioc Waterfall can shift quickly. Even in summer, early mornings and evenings get chilly. And during the rainy season (June–September), roads can be slippery.
Packing Essentials:
In just two days, the Hanoi Ban Gioc Waterfall promises breathtaking views, cultural depth, and pure highland serenity. It’s the perfect escape from the city for anyone exploring Hanoi to Ban Gioc Waterfall routes. And if you’re still wondering how many days for Hanoi, consider adding a few extra to soak in the capital’s charm before or after this unforgettable adventure. Trust us—the mist, the mountains, and the magic are worth it!
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
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Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
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My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
Impress Travel offers daily tours to attractive destinations in the capital of Hanoi as well as package tours to explore the most popular destinations in North Vietnam, such as Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, and Sapa, or adventure tours to explore the Northeast & Northwest regions such as Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Mu Cang Chai. Our products focus on providing travel services for private tours, small groups, family groups, and couples who need to make special requests for the trip. For the trip to Hanoi & North Vietnam, your submission to Impress Travel & Destination Management Company (DMC), which will bring the greatest value to your trip.
To explore Hanoi Capital's hidden charm for the first day, visit the most iconic attractions such as historical President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, Ancient Temple of Literature, tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi elderly quarter. Then, the upcoming of Hanoi – Halong Tour, we will have an amazing 2 day and 1 night stay on an outstanding cruise to explore the seven natural wonder of the world.
We will explore the most amazing places in the north of Vietnam. We will bring you to explore Hanoi charming city. Then, we are going to Tam Coc, Ninh Binh where we visit the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, enjoy the boat trip in Tam Coc and to discover the countryside. The unforgettable time is on Halong bay cruise that bring you to explore the seven natural wonder of the world.
To bring travelers to discover the most iconic of treasures in the Northern part of Vietnam. Travelers get ahead with the discovery of Hanoi’s hidden charm .The stunning beauty of North Vietnam come up with Sapa’s discovery were attracted by imposing sceneries such as rows of mountains, hills, lush valleys, rice terraces, waterfalls, and ethnic minority community. Afterward, visitors following up to Ha Long Bay
To discover the most iconic of treasures in the Northern part of Vietnam. Travelers get ahead with the discovery of Hanoi. Then, to explore stunning beauty of Sapa where we are attracted by imposing sceneries such as rows of mountains, hills, lush valleys, rice terraces, waterfalls, and ethnic minority community. Afterward, visitors following up to Ha Long Bay & Ninh Binh (Tam Coc).
