Cao Bang Loop: 2-Day Ban Gioc Waterfall & Local Experiences
Overview
Available languages
2 days
Mobile ticket
Cao Bang is a tranquil border region where nature and culture blend seamlessly. Explore the stunning Ban Gioc Waterfall and Mat Than Mountain, and experience local traditions by making “giay do,” traditional handmade paper, or spend a day as a blacksmith alongside Nung craftsmen. Cycle through charming villages along the Quay Son River, surrounded by vibrant rice fields and limestone mountains, and visit lively highland markets. You'll be welcomed by friendly locals, creating joyful memories while supporting community livelihoods.
You will be riding a motorbike yourself on this tour. If you need an easy rider or a car for this tour, please book with us in advance (IF YOU WANT TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE YOURSELF, YOU MUST SHOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE LICENSE AND SIGN A LIABILITY AGREEMENT IN CASE OF ANY ACCIDENTS)
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
DAY 1: CAO BANG - BAN GIOC WATERFALL - CRAFT VILLAGES
Accommodations
Staying at a local homestay by a gentle river, surrounded by rows of green bamboo and peaceful, poetic fields
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Enjoy Specialize food such as Cao Bang Rice Paper, Duck Noodle Soup, Sour Noodle
LUNCH
Lunch
We will have lunch at a local restaurant featuring local specialities
DINNER
Dinner
We will have dinner at the homestay of the local family, enjoying special dishes unique to their culture
Phuc Sen Forging Village
08:00 Meet your local guide and enjoy a traditional breakfast featuring rice rolls, roasted duck noodles, or sour pho, iconic dishes of Cao Bang cuisine 08:30 Travel to Ma Phuc Pass, a stunning mountain pass linked to the legend of the Tay hero Nung Tri Cao from the 11th century. Afterwards, visit Dìa Trên Paper Village, where the Nung An people craft handmade paper, traditionally used for calligraphy and folk art 10:00 Continue to Phuc Sen Blacksmith Village, renowned for its centuries-old forging traditions. Watch artisans as they create tools from recycled steel, and even try your hand at forging with local guidance
Kham pha hang dộng Nguờm Ngao - Thac Bản Giốc
11:30 Relax at Ban Viet Lake, a tranquil man-made lake surrounded by green hills. The glassy waters and serene atmosphere offer a soothing escape into nature 12:30 Savour a local lunch featuring regional delicacies 13:30 Discover Nguom Ngao Cave (Tiger Cave), a 400-million-year-old limestone cavern known for its spectacular stalactites and unique natural formations 15:00 Visit the breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall, the world’s fourth-largest cross-border waterfall. Water cascades down from a height of 50 meters across multiple tiers, creating a magical landscape 16:00 Stop at Truc Lam Phat Tich Pagoda, situated above Ban Gioc Waterfall. This peaceful temple offers tranquil views and a sense of spiritual calm 17:00 Check in at a local homestay by the Quay Son River. Unwind with a swim, take a stroll along the riverside, or join the host family in preparing dinner
DAY 2: NGOC CON VALLEY – ANGEL EYE MOUNTAIN – CAO BANG
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Savor breakfast featuring traditional dishes and specialties from the local community
LUNCH
Lunch
Savor lunch featuring traditional dishes and specialties from the local community
7:00 Morning Cycling (Optional) Start your day with a cycling adventure along the winding Quay Son River, surrounded by lush green bamboo that creates a picturesque watercolour-like scene. As you ride, you'll pass through quaint villages nestled behind impressive limestone mountains. During your journey, you'll encounter Co La Waterfall and continue cycling to a vibrant market where locals gather to trade agricultural products and savour traditional dishes unique to the area. This refreshing 12 km ride will energise you for the day ahead
8:00 Enjoy Breakfast with Local Dishes 8:30 Journey to Ngoc Con Valley Follow the border road to Ngoc Con, a tranquil valley that sits at the foot of limestone cliffs. You'll witness rice fields, winding streams, that paint a poetic 10:30 Explore Phong Nam Valley, a hidden gem embraced by karst mountains and lush rice paddies 12:00 Lunch with Local Specialities
Mountain God's Eye
13:00 Discover Angel Eye Mountain, a surreal peak featuring a massive natural hole at its centre that resembles a giant eye gazing at the sky. Nestled in a lush valley dotted with free-roaming horses and buffalo, this area is often compared to a miniature Tibetan grassland 17:00 Head back to Cao Bang City and visit the local market. Throughout your journey, a friendly host will ensure you feel comfortable and free as you create unforgettable memories on this trip.
What‘s Included
The ticket entrance follows the program
Vegan/vegetarian food options available
Free dorm bed if arriving on a night bus between 4 am and 8 am at the homestay in Cao Bang City
Car and driver: Full-Day Tour with Car (Minimum 2 tourists required)
Bungee cords & plastic cover for your bags, basic rain gear
Dinner
One 1500ml bottle of water per person per day
Friendly and enthusiastic local tour guide
Motorbike with easy rider, if you choose option: Cao Bang Loop With Easy Rider
Accommodation: 1 night at the local homestay beside the river
Motorbike: Honda Wave Alpha 110cc (Semi-Automatic) and gasoline
Beverages
Tip for tour guides and drivers
Options
Cao Bang Loop With Easy Rider
Pickup included
Cao Bang Loop With Car
Pickup included
Cao Bang Loop Self-driving
Pickup included
Reviews
32 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing tour round Cao Bang mountains!
meganjW2740EI,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing couple of days with our easy riders, Truong, Huynh and Tien, our fantastic group leader, who took excellent care of us and showed us all the best local sights and cuisine! All three riders were passionate about showing us their beautiful local landscapes, which are still relatively undiscovered by mass tourism, and sharing with us their beautiful culture. Our tour was only two days but we still packed so much in, including a stay at a gorgeous homestay in the mountains and all meals included. Well worth the price especially when compared to the Ha Giang Loop as, after having done both, this tour felt so much more authentic and special. A must-do tour if you’re looking for a real authentic experience!
Amazing tour! Would definitely recommend!
I2604WXdaisyc,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a wonderful experience. Tien was very accommodating, kind and funny and always made sure we were safe and having a great time! Our other drivers, Truong and Huynh, were also very lovely and were safe drivers! The viewpoints we stopped at were beautiful and overall had a really wonderful time on this tour. I’d definitely recommend!
Cao Bang Loop superstars!!!!! Defo recommend
Lauren B,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Could not recommend more. From the minute Tien, Truong & Chuynh picked us up they were so safe, attentive to our needs & super informative about life in Cao Bang! We visited so much beautiful scenery, tasted a wide range of local cuisine and saw lots of local villages and people. No request was too big - right at the start I needed to go to the pharmacy, and straight away we drove there, no questions asked. Tien also made sure we tried food that we hadn’t experienced before! We really enjoyed spending time with our drivers, and learned a lot from them. Thank you for making our time in Cao Bang so special guys! Definitely recommend if you want to learn more about Cao Bang and see the beautiful scenery on offer.
Incredible experience with the best local hosts
zohab2026,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was one of the greatest highlights of my time in Vietnam. Thien was awesome, he took us on a two-day adventure to see some of the most amazing views around Cao Bang. He took such great care of me and worked around my food allergies to give me amazing home-cooked food I haven’t been able to experience elsewhere in my solo travels around Vietnam. The homestay was beautiful and on the river, and Thien went out of his way at every step to make sure we were comfortable and having fun and well taken care of. The caves and lakes and mountains and waterfalls and parks were all incredible, and Thien always gave us time to enjoy. He also takes wonderful pictures! He was so fun and informative and made everything go perfectly smoothly, from pickup to drop off the next day. The motorbike and helmet were very comfortable, Viên was an awesome easy driver, and Thien also had provided the car as an option if I got hot or tired, but I loved every moment on the motorbike and out in Cao Bang with Vien and Thien. Cảm ơn!!
Beautiful landscape, authentic experience, insight into the village life of North Vietnam
X1883UZleam,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our 2-day tour with Nhân was really a great and unique experience. The scenery was beautiful, the people all super lovely, friendly and accommodating. We have seen and experienced a lot. The homestay was very idyllic, the food always very delicious. We would like to thank our guide Nhân above all. We learned so much from her, she answered all our questions with patience. She has also always tried to find vegetarian options. She was the best guide we could have imagined. We can really highly recommend the tour to anyone. Thank you, Nhan.
Amazing
Dreamer41549607296,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Superb, authentic experience. The villages, the landscapes, the viewpoints—everything was beautiful. Our guide and easy driver, Tien, was lovely and made sure to adapt to our wishes. He also spoke English very well. The whole team was kind, and they all drove carefully.
Very good times
baptistes371,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good experience with Tien, a busy day but full of important places. Thanks again.
Not to miss!
MarysueDenver,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were in great hands with Tien. He is an excellent driver took us around to all the beautiful stops, explained the history of the region and We had a delicious lunch. Tien went above and beyond, even accommodating a special request for lunch. This tour was the best part of our Cao Bang stay!
Great day in Northern Vietnam
Frederic S,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful day with a friendly group of fellow travelers. Tien is a great guide that puts a lot of effort into making this tour an enjoyable experience for everyone. We saw a lot in just one day without the feeling of being rushed. Definitely recommend to anybody.
An Unforgettable Experience – Hands down the best tour I’ve ever taken!
U6181RLlucan,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you are visiting Cao Bang, this tour is an absolute must. It was, without a doubt, the best tour I have ever experienced. Our guide was incredibly kind, charismatic, and attentive. He surprised us by remembering all our names almost instantly and made sure we were hydrated with plenty of water throughout the day. He also has a great eye for photography and took amazing photos for everyone in the group. The best part was how authentic it felt. Instead of a crowded, "mass tourism" vibe, the group was kept small, making the whole experience feel very personal and intimate. We visited hidden gems that you would likely never find on your own. The nature here is simply breathtaking—I have never seen anything like it. My absolute highlight was the early morning bike ride through the mountains; it was peaceful and stunningly beautiful. We also ate incredibly well! The food was delicious, traditional, and there was so much of it that we were all more than full. Even after the tour ended, our guide went above and beyond by helping us book a transfer to our next destination at local prices, ensuring we didn't overpay. I would book this tour again in a heartbeat. 10/10 recommendation for anyone looking for a genuine connection to the land and the people of Cao Bang!
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Operated by Cao Bang Adventure