National park · Vietnam
Ban Gioc WaterfallThác Bản Giốc
Enter Ban Gioc Waterfall: pay the entry fee (≈40,000 VND, check), take the short viewpoint walk (30 min) any day; avoid the rainy season (May–Aug) for safety and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1986
Best months
Sep–Oct
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Vietnam ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Vietnam ↗Crossing streets: walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes flow around you — do not stop or run.
- Vietnam ↗Carry Vietnamese đồng in small notes; many stalls and taxis are cash-only.
- Northern Vietnam ↗Most visitors need a visa or e-visa for Vietnam; check the current rule for your passport before booking flights.
- Northern Vietnam ↗Some border districts (parts of Ha Giang, Dien Bien) require a permit arranged locally; ask your guesthouse or tour operator.
At a glance
- Country
- Vietnam
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Park area is limited to the waterfall viewpoint and surrounding access zones, roughly 0.5 km² (check).
- Established
- 1986
- Best months
- Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Cao Bang
Ban Gioc Waterfall, the largest natural waterfall in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, straddles the Vietnam–China border with three limestone cascades dropping about 30 m over a 300 m width, set within the UNESCO‑listed Cao Bằng Global Geopark.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2015Cao Bằng Global Geopark (UNESCO Global Geopark).
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1986
Park area is limited to the waterfall viewpoint and surrounding access zones, roughly 0.5 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Cao Bang.
Why go
- View the largest natural waterfall in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
- See three limestone cascades dropping about 30 m across a 300 m width.
- Stand on the border where Vietnam meets China – the falls are shared with Detian.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, clear water.
- FebDry, cool.
- MarDry, river still strong.
- AprDry season, water clear.
- MayRainy season starts, roads muddy.
- JunHigh flow, but travel harder.
- JulRainy, possible floods.
- AugRainy, slippery paths.
- SepFull flow, pleasant weather.
- OctFull flow, harvest colours.
- NovDry, cooler.
- DecDry, clear.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain birds (e.g., pheasants, egrets)Mar–May, Oct–Nov · Visible on trails near villages. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam side viewpoint area | Gate, observation platform, short trail to the falls. | Open with entrance fee. |
| Chinese side boat area | Dock for cross‑border boat tours, restricted access. | Permit and tour required. |
| Nearby villages (Phia Thắp, Khuổi Kỵ) | Simple guesthouses, local crafts. | Open to visitors. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; main waterfall centre used.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee (Vietnam side) | ₫40,000 (≈ US$2) | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Passport permit or guide
Park rules
- Swimming
- Prohibited for safety.
- Drones
- Not allowed near the waterfall.
- Passport
- Must be carried at all times in the border zone.
- Guides
- Not required for the Vietnamese side, but recommended for Chinese side tours.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
Near the park
Cao Bằng City hotels
Mid‑range hotels (e.g., Max Boutique, Sunny) 80 km (50 mi) from falls.Mid‑range hotels (e.g., Max Boutique, Sunny) 50 mi (80 km) from falls.
In the park
Phia Thắp guesthouses
Basic rooms, shared facilities, close to falls.
Safety
Road conditions medium
Slippery paths low
Border zone checks low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Observation platform reachable by car with short walk.
- Longer trails have uneven ground; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guesthouses and craft villages.
- Avoid souvenir vendors that sell wildlife products.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ban Gioc Waterfall?
The entrance fee on the Vietnamese side is about 40,000 VND per person; confirm at the gate as prices may change.
What are the best hikes in Ban Gioc Waterfall?
A short 30‑minute viewpoint walk is the main trail. For a longer hike, try the 1–2 hour trail to Phia Thắp village, which offers rice‑field scenery and cultural stops.
When is the best time to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall?
September–October gives full water flow, pleasant weather, and colourful harvest fields. Dry months (Nov–Apr) are also good with clearer water.
Can I cross into China at the falls?
Yes, via a boat tour that requires a permit from an approved operator; you must return to Vietnam within five hours.
Is swimming allowed at Ban Gioc?
No. Swimming is prohibited for safety reasons.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Ban Gioc Waterfall
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