HS02: Ba Be lake and Ban Gioc Waterfall – 3 days / 2 nights
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The tour program is suitable for those who want to travel, but are not clear about the attractions, do not know how to arrange a reasonable itinerary, or simply have not found a travel companion.
For the traveler craving Vietnam’s untamed beauty, Le Toan Travel’s 3-day journey through Ba Be Lake and Ban Gioc Waterfall is an invitation into nature’s quiet magic and cultural depth. It begins in the pulse of Hanoi, where the city’s hustle fades into rolling countryside during the scenic drive north. By afternoon, guests glide across Ba Be Lake—the country’s largest natural freshwater lake—through winding river paths and limestone cliffs. The boat drifts silently into Puong Cave, a cathedral of stone, echoing with the distant flutter of bats. That first evening ends in the embrace of a peaceful homestay, where home-cooked dishes bring the north’s rich flavors to life.
The second day traces a path deeper into the highlands, revealing the lesser-seen soul of Cao Bang Province. From panoramic views atop Ma Phuc Pass to the quiet rhythm of incense makers and metal forgers in traditional villages, every moment paints a vivid portrait of Vietnam’s northern life. Late in the day, Ban Gioc Waterfall makes its grand entrance—thundering down the mountainside, straddling the border with China. Here, guests have the freedom to wander, pause, and take in the grandeur of nature’s design.
The final morning offers a quiet return to Ban Gioc at sunrise, then a descent into Nguom Ngao Cave, a 300-million-year-old wonder woven with local legend. As the road winds back toward Hanoi, memories settle in—of mirrored lakes, soaring waterfalls, and the warmth of people met along the way. This isn’t just a tour. It’s a narrative written in landscapes, culture, and connection—crafted by Le Toan Travel for those ready to listen.
| Condition | Promotion |
|---|---|
| Advanced Booking | – Up to 2% discount for 60 days advance booking |
| Group Booking | – Up to 5% discount for group with more than 8 travelers |
| Loyal Discount | – Up to 2% discount for booking more than 2 tours at Le Toan Travel (Accumulate for next travel) |
| Elder Discount | – Enjoy from 2% to 6% discount when there are 1, 4 or 8 elders that is over 50+ years old |
| *Contact us to know more about promotion | |
8:00 AM: Your adventure begins! We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi for a comfortable 5-hour drive (235km) to the stunning Ba Be Lake.
Lunch: Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant en route.
1:00 PM (Approx.): Arrive at the breathtaking Ba Be Lake.
Afternoon: Embark on a captivating boat trip (3 or 5 hours, depending on your preference) across the lake. This scenic journey takes you along the riverfront, past charming villages, and into the upper reaches of the lake, surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs and mountains. Explore Puong Cave, marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites formed by river erosion, and keep an eye out for the thousands of bats that call it home.
Evening: Check in to your homestay and savor a delightful dinner, experiencing authentic local cuisine.
7:30 AM: Bid farewell to Ba Be Lake as we continue our journey to the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfall (approximately 210km, 5-hour drive).
Lunch: Enjoy a tasty lunch at a local restaurant in Cao Bang city around 11:30 AM.
Afternoon: We’ll drive towards Ban Gioc Waterfall, stopping along the way to discover the picturesque landscapes of Cao Bang. Visit Ma Phuc Pass for stunning views, explore Phia Thap incense making village, witness the craftsmanship at Pac Rang forging village, and admire the beauty of Ngoc Con and Phong Nam. These locations are popular with Vietnamese photographers and offer a glimpse into the culture and life of the local Tay and Nung ethnic minorities.
Late Afternoon: Arrive at Ban Gioc Waterfall and enjoy free time to explore its beauty.
Dinner: Enjoy dinner at your leisure (own expense). Overnight stay in Ban Gioc.
Early Morning: Start your day with an early morning walk to revisit the magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfall.
8:00 AM: After breakfast and check-out, we’ll explore the amazing Nguom Ngao Cave, formed over 300 million years ago. According to the Tay language, Nguom Ngao means “the cave of tigers.” Legend says the sound of the stream inside resembles a tiger’s growl.
Morning/Afternoon: We begin our drive back to Hanoi via Lang Son (340km, 8-hour drive). Enjoy photo stops and coffee breaks along the way.
Late Afternoon: Arrive back in Hanoi. Thank you for joining us on this special tour designed by Le Toan Travel!
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Northeast
Visit Ban Gioc waterfall
Ba Be lake and homestay experience
Places to visit in Northeast Vietnam
Things to do in Northeast Vietnam
Ban Gioc Waterfall
Question 1: Best time for Northeast and Northwest Vietnam tour
The Northwest
The Northwest are very famous for their endless beautiful rice fields that look really like a picturesque landscape. And you can fully enjoy that beauty while traveling to those areas from May to Sep. In May & June, it is called the water falling season by the local people as it is the time they fill in the terraced rice fields with water. Everywhere is like a giant mirror reflecting the natural beauty and the sunlight. In Jul & Aug, the rice fields are being colored green and arising as a charming green picture. The most beautiful time to enjoy terraced rice fields in Sapa and the Northwest is at the end of August and in the beginning of September when they turns yellow – a perfect color of a masterpiece created by nature and human.
How about the other months? In fact, the other months are also a good time to travel to those areas as you can see many other amazing things like peach and plum trees & flowers in Spring time from January to March or snow sometimes covering everywhere in Winter time from December to February.
Just be aware that many days in Winter can be sunk deep in fog and frost with short views and make your trip out of our expectation. However, discovering the daily life of local people during Winter gives you memorable experience, for sure, as their hard conditions are really shown on those days.
The Northeast
Northeast region includes mountainous provinces in the far North of Vietnam where the weather is cool/cold all year round. It will be severely cold from December to February with average temperature of 8 degree C and cool in the rest of year with average temperature of 25 degree C.
Be aware that it will be wet and foggy in cold season and you can’t enjoy the spectacular and beautiful sceneries. However, there will be drizzly weather during cold season only, not typhoon. Furthermore, visiting local ethnic people during cold days will be different experiences as you can see and entirely understand their life of deprivation and misery.
Rainiest months in those areas are July and August, however, those 2 months are also best time for traveling to the Northeast as you can enjoy yellow rice fields in other areas in general and in Bac Son Valley in particular. Ban Gioc Waterfall is also more beautiful during rainy season.
Question 2: Trekking routes and trekking distances
Trekking is a must-do activity while traveling in those remote areas, then it plays an important role in that trip, of course. So you should clear all information with your travel consultant or tour guide about your trekking tours as some of them are very hard and dangerous that are just suitable for young and energetic people only. A suitable trekking distance will help you fully enjoy the trip, the culture, the local people as well as the nature, otherwise, tiredness of a hard and long trekking distance will surely make you have many negative thoughts.
The trekking routes are also important as it should really be arranged based on your traveling time. In beautiful time, it is advised to do popular trekking routes even though they can be crowded with tourists as those routes pass amazing terraced rice fields that you have never seen. However, when the harvest season is over, you should consider the trekking routes that are not crowded and passing remote villages.
Question 3: What should be prepared for Vietnam Northeast Loop Tour
Clothes: Traveling in cool season, you should prepare summer clothes with some light jackets as it will be pretty cold in the early morning and evening. Whereas warm coats are highly recommended for traveling in cold season as it can be even dropped to 5 degrees under zero.
Rain gear: Weather in the Northeast is not stable that can be changed continuously. It can be rain in the early morning but sunny at noon and rain again in the late afternoon. Then rain gear should be well prepared.
Personal drugs: The far north is really lack of medical infrastructure as well as pharmacy. Then it is advised to bring your personal drugs as well as popular medicines like paracetamol, thermometer, anti-itching lotion, oral rehydration preparation and bandaids.
Mosquito and insect repellent: Those stuff are necessary as you may trek through the wet jungle or stay at local houses near the forest.
Question 4: Traveling to the Northeast in cold season
Hotel with heat: It is better to stay at a hotel with heater (of course, air-conditioner with heat is not available in those areas) if you are planning to travel to the Northeast in cold season. Homestay is not a good idea during that period as you can’t sleep well for sure due to low temperature and privation of warming facilities.
Question 5: Traveling in rainy season
You should consider traveling to those areas in rainy season as it can be dangerous sometimes. When it rains a lot in those areas for many days, erosion is pretty popular and may much affect to your trip.
Question 6: Traveling to the Northeast and Northwest with kids
Traveling to the Northeast with infants and small kids under 6 yrs old is not advised because of the simple life condition and poor infrastructure in those areas, but older kids and teenagers are really fine as they can bear a pretty hard trip and more important, a lot of life-time experiences are waiting for them.
Question 7: Is it safe for traveling to untouched areas
It is safe, for sure, while traveling to the Northwest Mountains or even border regions as those areas are highly controlled and protected by local government. That’s why you have to apply for permission before visiting to the border regions and it will be arranged by your local travel agent. The local ethnic groups are also friendly and hospitality even they can’t speak both Vietnamese and English.
Question 8: Interact with local people
Local people are not familiar with tourists but you are surely warmly welcomed by them as Vietnamese in general and ethnic people in particular are very open and kind and so love to see you as well as to help you in case you need. Then, you should show your good attitudes all the time if you want to visit their houses as well as make a short chat with them. Remember to ask for acceptance when you wish to take their photos.
Question 9: Road condition
Road condition is not a big problem when traveling in the Northeast and Northwest as they are mostly big and smooth roads
Question 10: Donation
Donation is highly recommended and it can be money or not. Normally, you can bring along warm clothes for both adults and kids as it is cold there all year round. Quilted Blanket is another great idea. Or at least, you should prepare some small gifts for local kids like cakes, notebooks, pencils, etc.
HS02: Ba Be lake and Ban Gioc Waterfall – 3 days / 2 nights
Tour Price:
Contact for more USD
