Ban Gioc Waterfall - the epic of water

Passing through 7 rounds of slope to reach Ma Phuc pass, one of the most notable passes in the Northern of Vietnam, tourists shall be greeted by a roadside sign engraved “Welcome to Trung Khanh!” from the distance.

It was 6 am. The whole valley was still shrounded in fog. We walked to the waterfall in excitement. It was early enough so that every thing was in the dim steam. Water from Quy Son river falling down on the stone creates water > of China. The sub-body of falls located in area of Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang provine of Vietnam. Ban Gioc  which is 53m high, 300m wide. It has 3 layers with a large number of different size colums of water which  falls down on the limestones to create a beautiful scene of wild water. 

In the spring, falls was  likened to a graceful silk that identifying the beauty of Cao Bang. Hoever, summer was best time for us to watch the most imposing sceneries  of  Ban Gioc.  steam  of water combined with sunshine to generate lots of interested and beautiful 7 colored- rainbows. At the foot of falls was broad river with glass covers and primeral forests at two sides of banks. Areas nearby falls always seemed to be experiencing endless forest rains. Eveything was soaked through water. Powerful sounds of waterfall as a party of drums as banged together. The green of paddy fields and forests, the white of falls,the  yeallow of sunshine and the color of rainbows all create pleased- eyes for great waterfall.

We clambered up slipping stones. We threw a look to waterfall and river from the peak, all scene of nature was in front of us. In the vietnamese region,  just having the  simple  village with simple houses and rice field. This part of falls has not been heavily exploited for

- Zimbabwe; and  Niagra between Canada-usa. Hoever, it  got not much attention to touring action that still remaining the primeral beauty while in the end of falls in  Chinese region, Ban Gioc became famous for times and attracted many tourist everyday, houses and shops queued up on the bank with diversifying services such as boats for rent, restaurants, shops of souvernir…

It was 8 pm, Ban Gioc was crowded with tourists, mostly Chinese. Touring rafts acted bustly.  In terms of locating in the common border , Ban Gioc was the fourth bigest waterfall after  Iguazu falls between  Brazil- Argentina,  Victoria falls between Zambiadevelop tourism becadisadvantages in goegraphy. Most visiters were  free-goers and tourism reseachers.

It was a pity that  Ban Gioc could not be exploited  all endued  touring potential . Water was still cascading down ignoring boisterous laughter surround. We visited a border market where about 200 vietnamese people were on business. Most of them were Tay, Nung ethnic groups  living in Co Muong. Their business thanks to tractors that carrying goods to market at the dawn and returning  in the late afternoon. As well as a martket held on Sunday on the surface of the Quy Son river, the market on the land  helped  visters understanding more about customs and habits of local people.

We returned Cao Bang left behind Ban Gioc waterfall at late noon. It was not enough time  for us to enjoy all spetacular beauty of Cao Bang, especially in the after noon and night. It was really  a pity. It was  said that in the sunny days, you could see rainbow on the waterfall when rowing on Quy Son river. It was a wonderful thing by  nature.

Sunwas covering everywhere that attached by the constant chimming of cowbells. Herdsmen was talking and laughing comfortably on their way to home.  Quiet  atmosphere of mountainous area with no noisy and horn of cars, no dirty. Some families was preparing for dinner, smoke came to the air through roof of cottages. Tay , Nung ethnic groups backed to their home unhurriedly.  The valley became noisy by our horn of car for a moment then all returned to quiet.

Further information:

From Ha Noi, going along highway 3. It is about 300 km to reach to Cao Bang province. Going on to Trung Khanh town and staying here for the night. This is a beauty town with reasonable price- hotel

There are two ways to Ban Gioc waterfall. You can motobike and go along Tra Linh- Tong Cot road. But most tourists chose the second way by conquering Ma Phu muontain pass then passing Quang Uyen that they have chance to discover this famous muontain pass.

It is 3km on the way to Ban Gioc existing a beautiful and long cavern, called  Ngao Nguom.

In Cao Bang , you can enjoy some famous food such as egg rolls, fried fish or wild vegetable..Bang Giang hotel is the biggest here.

Linh Lam