Cao Bang & Ba Be Lake • Motorbike Adventures
Ban Gioc Waterfall & Ba Be Lake — 5 Days
New activity
5 days • Free cancellation
From $430 per person
north Vietnam • Cao Bằng
Things to do in Cao Bang: Tours, Things to Do & Travel Guide
Designated the UNESCO Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark, this unspoiled northeastern frontier pairs the 300-meter-wide tiered cascades of Ban Gioc Waterfall with the lotus-shaped stalactites of Nguom Ngao Cave, Nui Thung (Mountain Eye Valley), Pac Bo historical stream, and nearby Ba Be Lake.
Recommended activities & tours in Cao Bang
Top attractions in Cao Bang
All attractions →Ban Gioc Waterfall & Nguom Ngao Cave
Waterfall & National Park • Ban Gioc 45,000 VND (+50,000 VND bamboo raft); Nguom Ngao Cave 45,000 VND
Stand before Ban Gioc Waterfall—the largest cross-border waterfall in Asia along the emerald Quay Son River
Explore 2.1 km of subterranean galleries inside Nguom Ngao (Tiger) Cave
Visit Phia Thap incense village and Khuoi Ky 400-year-old stone stilt houses
Things to do in Cao Bang
Filter by indoor/rain/family →Stand before Ban Gioc Waterfall—the largest cross-border waterfall in Asia along the emerald Quay Son River
Explore 2.1 km of subterranean galleries inside Nguom Ngao (Tiger) Cave
Visit Phia Thap incense village and Khuoi Ky 400-year-old stone stilt houses
Cao Bang travel guide
Practical planning advice for visiting Cao Bang.
Best time to visit
September – November & March – May
How many days
3–5 Days (often paired with Ba Be Lake or Ha Giang)
How to get there
Cao Bang City (5.5–6 hours north of Hanoi via Lang Son / Bac Kan)
Typical daily budget
~$65 / day
How to get there
Take a 9-seat VIP limousine van or overnight sleeper bus from Hanoi to Cao Bang City (5.5–6 hours), or link directly overland from Meo Vac (Ha Giang) via Bao Lac.
Where to stay in Cao Bang
Khuoi Ky Stone Village (Near Ban Gioc)$22–$65/night
Traditional Tay stone stilt homestays 2 km from the waterfall
Cao Bang City Riverfront$30–$75/night
Comfortable town hotels along the Bang Giang River
Typical costs in Cao Bang
Backpacker Daily Budget$35–$50/day
Mid-Range Boutique Daily Budget$60–$110/day
Luxury Resort / Private Guide Daily Budget$140–$230/day
Food to try in Cao Bang
Pho Chua Cao Bang (Dry Sweet-Sour Roast Duck Rice Noodles)
Authentic local specialty in Cao Bang (Cao Bang Province).
Banh Cuon Cao Bang (Rice Rolls Served in Hot Pork Bone & Egg Soup)
Authentic local specialty in Cao Bang (Cao Bang Province).
Vit Quay 7 Vi (Seven-Spice Roasted Duck)
Authentic local specialty in Cao Bang (Cao Bang Province).
Local safety tips for Cao Bang
Bring your physical passport when visiting Ban Gioc Waterfall and Truc Lam Pagoda, as both sit inside the border belt.
Frequently asked questions about Cao Bang
Can I combine Ha Giang and Cao Bang in one trip?
Yes—a 6-to-8-day Northeast Loop links Ha Giang, Dong Van, Meo Vac, Bao Lac, Cao Bang (Ban Gioc), and Ba Be Lake before returning to Hanoi.
Itineraries & seasonal festivals featuring Cao Bang
12-Day Itinerary
Vietnam Adventure Expedition (12 Days): Ha Giang Loop, Cao Bang, Lan Ha Kayak & Phong Nha Caves
Hanoi (1N) → Ha Giang Loop & Cao Bang Ban Gioc (5N) → Cat Ba & Lan Ha Bay Kayaking (2N) → Phong Nha-Ke Bang Cave Trek & Kayak (3N)
Lunar Festival • Late January or Mid-FebruaryTet Nguyen Dan (Vietnamese Lunar New Year)
Vietnam’s most sacred family holiday celebrating the arrival of spring with kumquat trees, peach blossoms, temple visits, and New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Lunar Festival • September or Early October (15th day of 8th Lunar Month)Tet Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Children’s & Mooncake Festival)
Lion-dance drum troupes, star-shaped cellophane lanterns on Hang Ma Street, and artisan baked and snow-skin mooncakes.
Highland Market Festival • Late October – NovemberHa Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival (Lễ Hội Hoa Tam Giác Mạch)
Pink and violet wild buckwheat blossoms carpet the limestone valleys of Sung La, Lung Cam, Dong Van, and Ma Pi Leng.
Heritage Biennial • April (3rd Lunar Month)Trang An & Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival
Dragon boat processions of hundreds of wooden sampans winding through Trang An water caves and royal ceremonies at Hoa Lu.