Best Time to Visit Ban Gioc Waterfall

About 20 km from the central town in Cao Bang Province, Ban Gioc Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Asia and the fourth largest national-bordered waterfall in the world, after Iguazu Falls, Victoria Falls, and Niagara Falls. Getting off the mainstream tourist trail and getting the off-the-beaten road, you’ll enjoy the great escape and personally marvel at the majestic waterfall. Although getting to Ban Gioc Waterfall has become easier, only a modest number of both domestic and foreign travelers visit Ban Gioc Waterfall per day.

The best time to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall is between September and October when the rainy season ends. This article will guide you on the most suitable time to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall and interesting things to do at this natural beauty.

What makes Ban Gioc Waterfall special

Ban Gioc Waterfall is famous for its width as well as its splendid beauty. From the height of 70 meters, water tumbles down a multi-tiered cliff with lush bushes and the impressive karst peaks surrounding the spectacle. There are sections where water batters over abrupt drops and others where it flows leisurely and softly, spraying out in a relaxing mist.

The panoramic view of Ban Gioc Waterfall

The uniquely diverse natural site including rock walls, bamboo groves, and jungles spans more than 300 meters across the Chinese – Vietnamese border. Along the Vietnamese side, elevated wooden pathways snake over running water and carry tourists to the sandy bank beneath the impressive central section. Despite being popular with Chinese and Vietnamese tourists, Ban Gioc Waterfall isn’t well-traveled by Western tourists. 

Ban Gioc Waterfall has many beautiful spots where you can strike a pose for Instagram posts. From the grassy bank to a boulder in the river, endless potential photo angles are offered in the area. There’re bamboo raft rides for tourists to get closer to the waterfall. The cost for a 10-minute ride is around US $2. The bamboo rafts’ canopies are color-coded: green for the rafts from the Vietnamese side and blue for from the Chinese side.

Cruising around to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall

If you’re into more adventure, find the road to hilltop pagoda and climb up the precarious sides of the waterfall to catch the best sight of Ban Gioc Waterfall. Once you conquer the top, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama looking straight down into the karst valley.

When to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall

Ban Gioc Waterfall is open to visitors all year round as the scenery changes seasonally. In spring, the flame-red blossoms are in full bloom. In autumn, the surroundings turn in a golden carpet. In summer, the waters become stronger and violent; while the waters fall slowly during winter.  

It’s highly recommended to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall in the dry season, especially from September to October. At this time, the waterfall is much calmer and more impressive than ever. Quay Son River looks stunning with turquoise water, misty surface, and sparkling mysterious landscape when the sun shines lightly in the fall. The autumn is the best time to immerse in the pleasant climate and atmospheric at Ban Gioc Waterfall.

In addition to calm weather, September and October are the best time to explore Ban Gioc Waterfall with the amazing beauty of the fall as well as the wonderful paddy fields in the golden harvest season. The picture of the powerful Ban Gioc Waterfall and the restful rice fields makes a perfect harmony nestled in the mountains. From the ground, the waterfalls down like the silky ribbons spanning downward, which attracts thousands of tourists and photographers to Ban Gioc Waterfall.

Harvest season is the best time to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall

The wettest months (June – August) aren’t the perfect time to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall. No one likes the heavy downpours that feed a large amount of water to Quay Son River and cause several tiers of the waterfall to merge. Additionally, the spray of Ban Gioc Waterfall in the wet season is much more far-reaching, which makes it difficult to take photographs.

How to get to the Ban Gioc Waterfall

From Hanoi, the road traveling to Ban Gioc Waterfall is most easily visited via Cao Bang City. There’s a wide range of transportations including buses, vans, tour buses and motorbikes.

• Buses: At Hanoi’s My Dinh Station, buses depart hourly throughout the day to Cao Bang. Then take a bus from Cao Ban bus station to Ban Gioc Waterfall. The total journey takes about 8.5 hours and costs from US $8 to US $12 for a one-way ticket, depending on the type of bus and time of the day. There’re also night buses that conveniently fit the typical Vietnamese sleeper seats and are comfortable for small people.
• Vans & tour buses: This means of transportations can be booked at most hostels, hotels, guesthouses, or travel agents. It’s highly recommended to book an organized tour to Ban Gioc Waterfall since the travel consultants will arrange everything for you. It makes the best experience to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall.
• Motorbikes: It’s only for adventurous travelers, but moto riders will be rewarded with a wonderful and twisting ride through verdant valleys and over the great karst passes. It’s time for adventurers to ride a bike and explore the North of Vietnam as well as Ban Gioc Waterfall.

All in all, Ban Gioc Waterfall welcomes tourists any time of the year, but the best time to visit Ban Gioc is between September and October. Let’s experience your trip to Ban Gioc Waterfall as well as to Vietnam with BestPrice Travel.

Hong Nhung

(Images source: Internet)