Ban Gioc Waterfall
Thác Bản Giốc
A wide, multi-tiered curtain of water on the Quay Son River that marks the border with China. Take a bamboo raft to the foot of the falls to feel the spray.
Cao Bang
Cao Bằng
Karst peaks, jade rivers and Southeast Asia's grandest border waterfall.
- Region
- North · Northeast mountains
- Province
- Cao Bang
- Best weather
- March–April, October–November
- In this guide
- 4 places · 7 dishes
Overview
Cao Bang is one of the most beautiful and least visited corners of northern Vietnam. Jagged limestone mountains carpeted in forest rise above rice paddies and thin winding roads, and the province was added to UNESCO's Global Geoparks Network in 2018.
Because the Vietnamese majority historically settled the lowlands, these hills are home mainly to ethnic minority communities — Tay, Nung, Dao and H'mong — whose markets and festivals are a big part of a visit. The region also played a key role in modern history: Ho Chi Minh returned from exile in 1941 and hid in a cave at Pac Bo.
Cao Bang is noticeably cooler than the rest of the country, with summer highs in the high 20s and chilly winters. Ban Gioc Waterfall is fullest from June to September; September and October combine strong falls with golden rice terraces.
Where to go
Nguom Ngao Cave
Động Ngườm Ngao
A short drive from Ban Gioc, this "Tiger Cave" stretches for over 2 km, about a kilometre of it open to visitors along a lit path past huge stalactites and stalagmites.
Thang Hen Lake
Hồ Thang Hen
A turquoise lake in a quiet valley ringed by forested karst. In the rainy season a chain of 36 smaller lakes swells into one; small boats take visitors out on the water.
Pac Bo Cave & Lenin Stream
Hang Pác Bó & Suối Lênin
The cave where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked after returning to Vietnam in 1941. A pleasant walk follows the clear, jade-green stream he named after Lenin.
Experiences
Long Tong Festival
Lễ hội Lồng Tồng
The Tay community's "going to the fields" festival, held in early spring just after Lunar New Year, with offerings for a good harvest, folk games and feasting.
What to eat
Local specialties worth seeking out in Cao Bang.
Purple sticky rice
Xôi trám
Sticky rice mixed with the fruit of the Canarium (trám) tree, which turns it a deep purple and gives it a rich, nutty taste.
Ant egg rice cake
Bánh trứng kiến
A seasonal Tay delicacy: ant eggs gathered from the forest in spring, wrapped in glutinous rice dough and leaves, then steamed. Rich, slightly buttery and surprisingly delicate.
Seven-flavour roast duck
Vịt quay 7 vị
Duck stuffed with a mix of local herbs and mac mat leaves, then roasted over charcoal until the skin is glossy and crisp. Cao Bang's best-known dish.
Fried duck cakes
Bánh áp chao
Small rice-flour cakes filled with duck meat and deep-fried, eaten hot with a herby dipping sauce on cold afternoons.
Steamed rice rolls in broth
Bánh cuốn Cao Bằng
Unlike Hanoi's version, Cao Bang's rice rolls come with a hot bone broth instead of fish sauce — a warming local breakfast.
Khao cake
Bánh khảo
A crumbly pressed cake of roasted sticky-rice flour and sugar, traditionally made for Lunar New Year.
Trung Khanh chestnuts
Hạt dẻ Trùng Khánh
Sweet chestnuts from the hills around Ban Gioc, roasted on street-side braziers in autumn. A popular edible souvenir.
When to go
The most comfortable months for sightseeing in Cao Bang are usually March–April, October–November.
Hover a month for details. Compare with other places on the season calendar.
Vietnam season calendar arrow_forwardDaily temperature range (°C)
10°15°20°25°30°35°
Rainfall per month (mm)
0100200300400
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
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Dec
Score
- Great
- Good
- Fair
- Wet / extreme
chevron_right Show as table
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Wet days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.1 | 12.1 | 88 | 13 | Fair |
| February | 20.3 | 13.2 | 85 | 13 | Good |
| March | 24.7 | 17.3 | 108 | 17 | Great |
| April | 28.2 | 20.4 | 130 | 17 | Great |
| May | 30.1 | 22.9 | 289 | 23 | Fair |
| June | 31.5 | 24.7 | 365 | 26 | Wet / extreme |
| July | 31.8 | 24.9 | 285 | 25 | Fair |
| August | 31.4 | 24.6 | 379 | 28 | Wet / extreme |
| September | 30.4 | 23.5 | 264 | 21 | Fair |
| October | 27.4 | 20.2 | 155 | 13 | Great |
| November | 24.4 | 16.6 | 64 | 10 | Great |
| December | 20.1 | 12.3 | 39 | 9 | Good |
Averages for 2016-2025 from Open-Meteo (ERA5 reanalysis, CC BY 4.0). Model data can overstate light drizzle; treat wet-day counts as a guide. How the score works.
Getting there
About 280 km from Hanoi — 6 to 7 hours by sleeper bus or private car. Ban Gioc Waterfall is a further 2 to 2.5 hours from Cao Bang city; most visitors combine it with Nguom Ngao Cave and stay a night nearby. Cao Bang also pairs well with Ba Be Lake.
Getting around Vietnam arrow_forwardPlan your stay in Cao Bang
Compare places to stay and things to book.
