Ban Gioc Waterfalls

Ban Gioc – Detian Falls (Vietnamese: thác Bản Giốc, Chinese: Détiān pùbù, Bǎnyuē pùbù 板約瀑布, 德天瀑布) is a collective name for two waterfalls on the Quây Sơn River (Chinese: Guichun River, 归春河), that straddle the international border between China and Vietnam; more specifically located between the Karst hills of Daxin County, Guangxi, and Trùng Khánh District, Cao Bằng Province. The waterfall is 280 km north of Hanoi. The waterfall drops thirty meters. It is separated into three falls by rocks and trees, and the thundering effect of the water hitting the cliffs can be heard from afar. The water volume varies considerably between the dry and rainy seasons: the falls are most impressive from May to September, but swimming during this period in the waterholes below may be difficult due to turbulence.

Geology
The waterfalls are located in an area of mature karst formations where the original limestone bedrock layers are being eroded. Numerous streams spring from underground fissures along the lower levels of the area. The waterfalls have multiple drops, from bedrock layer to layer, which shows the multiple depositions of sediments of different hardness which formed the terrain over millions of years.

History
The river has been a natural demarcation between tribes, clans and peoples since prehistory. As modern civilization has increased in complexity, the river and the waterfall have historically been used as the boundary between two ancient provinces and after the independence of Annam, as an international border. The Qing Empire and French Indochina more exactly determined the border following their treaty in the 19th century. Where the river was chosen as the border, the international standard of using the center of the watercourse defined the extent of each empire. In addition 500 markers were placed along the land border. Following the 1999 treaty between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People's Republic of China, over 1000 additional markers were placed and more accurate measurements were made. Ban Gioc–Detian Falls have been a landmark and their complete possession has interested dictatorial regimes. Confident governments have by treaty shared the beauty and harmony of the waterfall

What to see
The sight in Ban Gioc Waterfalls bears a poetic, fresh, quiet beauty of water, forest and cloud area mixed with village atmosphere of mountainous ethnic minorities. As the falls have three levels, which creates a sort of giant staircase, and there’s enough water any time, throughout the year, it will make your trip worthwhile. At the same time, enjoy walking across paddy fields to reach the base of the falls. Or enjoy its famous  fish named “tram huong”. In the early 1920s, French people started building cottages on the river banks. They would come here to relax, fish for “tram huong”, and hunt deer.

Tourist facilities
There’s been some development of tourist facilities in recent years, but almost nothing except a bamboo footbridge and a couple of bamboo rafts on the Vietnamese side. At the moment, a newly build four-star Saigon-Ban Gioc Resort, covering a total of 31.15 hectares. It will consist of two main sections, with one adjacent to Provincial Road 206 and the other facing Ban Gioc Waterfalls. The resort will have 60 hotel rooms, 24 bungalows with 29 rooms, a 200-seat restaurant, a 200-seat meeting room, sport and entertainment facilities, spa and areas for picnicking and other outdoor activities.

Tailor made journey like no Other

Day 01: Hanoi – Ba Be Lake
In the morning, tour guide and driver will pick you up at your Hanoi hotel around 7:30 and drive to Ba Be Lake in Bac can province (250km). Stop over for visiting the Tay minority. Arrival in Cho Ra, take a boat on the Nang River, visit Ba Be Lake, Puong Grotto, Dau Dang waterfall, Window Island and Pac Ngoi Village (Tay minority). Overnight home-stay in Pac Ngoi Village

Day 02: Ba Be – Cao Bang – Ban Gioc
After breakfast, depart for Cao Bang (110km). Arrive in Cao Bang, visit Phuoc Sen village of Nung people, a small village famous for producing farming tools. Then transfer to Ban Gioc Waterfall (85km). Arrive in Ban Gioc waterfall, at leisure for relaxing, taking photos and enjoying the most beautiful waterfall of Vietnam. Overnight at hotel in Cao Bang.

Day 03: Cao Bang – Hanoi
Leave Cao Bang and transfer back to Hanoi (300km) in the morning. On the way back, stop for visiting the village where tobacco is produced. Visit the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam’s ethnic groups in Thai Nguyen. Lunch en route and drop off at your hotel upon arrival.

Special offer: 265 USD per person.

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