Ha Giang to Ban Gioc Waterfall – Challenge Yourself With Fantastic Dirt Bike Trips

When it comes to the ideal places to visit in the summer, most tourists will immediately think of the famous coastal cities such as Halong, Nha Trang, Da Nang, or Phu Quoc. Many of them forget Northeast Vietnam with a mild climate that is not too hot on sunny days. This land is a true paradise. Unique terrain with majestic mountains, beautiful valleys, poetic rivers, and impressive waterfalls, a trip to Northeast Vietnam promises tons of life-changing experiences. For travelers who want more challenges, perhaps there is no choice better than an enduro tour.

From Northeast to Northwest, there are dozens of beautiful off-road Vietnam motorbike  routes, and one of the most prominent routes is Ha Giang to Ban Gioc Waterfall. It is a great opportunity for you to explore the Ha Giang loop covered with the colorful hill tribe villages, the beautiful limestone plateau, the vast terraced rice fields, and especially Ban Gioc – one of the largest waterfalls in Vietnam.

Ban Gioc Waterfall Vietnam- A masterpiece of nature

The beauty of Ban Gioc Waterfall

Located in Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province, Ban Gioc falls, also known as Detian waterfalls, is truly a masterpiece of Mother Nature. With a height of 30m and a width of 300m, it is known as one of the largest waterfalls along the border between the two countries of China and Vietnam. Separated by Quay Son River, the western half of Ban Gioc Waterfall is on Vietnamese land, while the eastern half belongs to Chinese sovereignty. Due to its unique geographic location, in the past, foreign tourists who want to visit this waterfall have to ask local authorities for permission. But now, when tourism is being promoted, you only need to buy an entrance ticket for about $2/person.

Being blessed with impressive natural beauty with multiple layers and blue water pouring into the lake below, Ban Gioc Waterfall is a gem of Vietnam tourism. Looking from a distance, it looks like a beautiful girl in her twenties, full of youthful vitality. Opposite the waterfall is a poetic river surrounded by vast green fields near which ethnic minorities live and work. Those who have an adventurous heart once try hopping on the motorbike to conquer Vietnam off the beaten track destinations  on the route from Ha Giang to Ban Gioc Waterfall. Of course, this route is not easy at all because of its mountainous terrain but the harder you work, the greater reward you get, right? Trust us, its beauty is unbelievable!

The best way to explore Ban Gioc Waterfall is to hop on a bamboo raft. For only about $3, the boat owner will take you so close to the fall that you can feel the water spray on your face. Besides the waterfall, your trip will not be complete without visiting nearby attractions such as Pac Bo Cave, Nguom Ngao Cave, Thang Hen Lake, and more, feasting your eyes on breathtaking natural scenery. You also get a chance to learn more about the unique culture, customs, and cuisine of the locals here. They are mostly sincere and hospitable ethnic people who can even invite you to their home to enjoy a cozy meal and tell exciting stories. So if you have enough time, spend a few nights here, and you will experience a truly rural life that is entirely different from the hustle and bustle of the big cities.

Best time to visit Ban Gioc Waterfall

The weather in this area is divided into two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season lasts from June to September, when heavy rains make Ban Gioc Waterfall at its widest merge. The water flows strongly, with white bubbles splashing like giant clouds. “Majestic†may be the word to describe Ban Gioc Waterfall during the rainy season; in return, getting closer to the waterfall will be more difficult as the area can be flooded and muddy. You can stand at the foot of the fall to take nice photos of incredible nature in Vietnam.

On the other hand, the dry season from October to May is cooler and less rainy. Ban Gioc Waterfall offers a gentle beauty like a soft ribbon across cliffs. Clear blue water pours smoothly down the lake below. But, if there is little rain in this area for too long, the waterfall may be shallow.

In fact, you can visit Ban Gioc Waterfall at any time of the year because each season has its own beauty. However, according to experienced travelers, for  a perfect Ban Gioc waterfall tour, you  should visit the waterfall in July or August. At this time, the weather is quite cool, and the water flow is not too strong nor too low. You can swim and participate in many different activities such as exploring caves, climbing, and hiking.

Ha Giang to Ban Gioc Waterfall Dirt Bike Tour – 4 Days

Although Ha Giang and Ban Gioc are very familiar destinations for Northeast Vietnam tours, not many tourists have the chance to explore this stunning route on two-wheels. In a world where only a few beautiful photos posted on Facebook can easily make people feel satisfied, most travel agencies focus on offering classic sightseeing tours that hardly provide visitors with authentic cultural and adventure experiences. Instead of seeing everything via the careless window of cars, joining a motorbike trip is the best way to conquer the amazing  Ha Giang loop  route and fully enjoy  Ban Gioc Waterfall. Hop on a dirt bike, enjoy the freedom and let the breeze blow through your hair. Your vacation will mean a lot. Incredible off-road trails, majestic mountain views, friendly faces, unique culture, and charming cuisine combine to create the most unforgettable dirt bike trip of your life.

The 4-day Ha Giang motorbike tour  is perfect to complete this route. It will take you through all the most prominent places without being too slow or too rushed to get through everything. If you do not have much time, you can work on a shorter trip, but we recommend you spend at least 3 days.

Day 1: Ha Giang – Dong Van (180km)

Dong Van will welcome us today, considered the most attractive destination of the whole trip. From Ha Giang, we ride on small bumpy roads to reach Bac Sum, the steepest slope in Ha Giang. From a distance, Bac Sum looks like a soft strip of silk curling around the high mountains of the Northeast. Spend some time standing on the top of the slope, and you will feel overwhelmed as if you are lost in a fairyland with the majestic natural scenery spreading out insight.

Keep riding to Quan Ba Twin Mountain – a spectacular nature artwork that is almost never absent in  any  Ha Giang loop tours. Amidst the immense space of terraced fields and rocky mountains, two strange mountains shaped like the breasts of a young girl suddenly emerge, making tourists feel surprised by the miracle of nature. Sung La valley will be our next stop that is famous for its gorgeous triangle flower fields. If you visit Ha Giang on the last days of the year (around November and December), you will admire the incredible sight of triangle flowers blooming all over mountainsides and foothills. The green of mountains combined with the pink of flowers and the yellow of the sun creates a romantic setting that can hardly be found anywhere else.

Enjoy lunch in Yen Minh town before we head to Vuong King’s Palace. In the past, it was known as the resident of Vua Meo and ruled the Dong Van Karst Plateau region. Its architecture is imposing with a harmonious combination of French, Chinese, and H’mong styles. The palace is divided into several areas and built entirely of wood, clay, and stone. Since 2004, Vuong King’s Palace has been open to welcome tourists. Coming here, you have the opportunity to learn more about the history and see ancient furniture and items of the H’mong people like wooden beds, crossbows, and more.

In the late afternoon, you can visit the Lung Cu flagpole or take a stroll around Dong Van old town before returning to the local homestay to have dinner and take a rest.

Today, it is a short ride, but the dangerous terrain with steep slopes and blind bends will be a big challenge even for the most experienced riders.

After a good night’s sleep at the homestay, we woke up early to enjoy breakfast and pay a visit to Dong Van market. Ethnic minorities in traditional costumes gather here to shop and exchange products that they cannot produce on their own. Here, you should also enjoy tasty specialties, buy unique handicraft items as souvenirs, and be immersed in the lively atmosphere filled with the laughter of a typical hill tribe market. Next, you can take a walk to Thien Huong – an ancient village of the Tay people, to learn more about their unique architecture and culture.

Our crew will return to Dong Van town for lunch and take a short rest before hitting the road to Ma Pi Leng’s pass. A super nice route with breathtaking views of the mountains and river will make your day greater than ever. Considered one of the 4 most beautiful passes in Vietnam, Ma Pi Leng will overwhelm you with the majestic scenery of mountains running towards the horizon and the Nho Que river winding from afar. However, the road leading to Ma Pi Leng’s pass is not easy to conquer at all. It’s narrow, rugged, and winding, so make sure that you have excellent driving skills and the flexibility to handle any situation.

It takes about 30 minutes from Ma Pi Leng to drive to Nho Que river. This route is one of the most hardcore ones during the trip, which makes even the bravest riders hold their breath when going downhill. The best way to enjoy the beauty of the Nho Que river is to hop on a bamboo raft. Clear blue water and cliffs on both sides give you a special feeling – nervous yet exhilarating. So once you come here, don’t miss the opportunity to admire one of the most magnificent views of Northern Vietnam.

Crossing Nho Que River, we reach Meo Vac, inhabited by many ethnic minorities such as H’mong, Dzao, Tay, etc. You can stop for a bit to visit some small hamlets of locals and learn about their rural life on this mysterious limestone highland. Then, continue to ride until we reach Bao Lac village in the late afternoon. Check in hotel, have dinner and relax to regain energy for the next ride.

Day 3: Bao Lac – Cao Bang (150km)

Today, it is an impressive ride that includes a 40 km long hardcore road along the Chinese border with many blind bends. You will discover the core area of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark where the breath of modern life seems never to exist. The locals here are very honest and still unfamiliar with the arrival of tourists. This route is exactly what they are looking for those who love adventure and desire to explore new lands.

On the way, you also have the chance to conquer Me Pia Pass, which means “steep rocky slope” in the local language. With a length of 2.5 km and 14 levels of the slope, Me Pia is one of the most winding and rugged passes in the Northeast. Although the road has been paved, it remains a major challenge for drivers. The incredible natural scenery is a worthy gift for your efforts. Break your comfort zone and enjoy the magical experience of one of the life-changing trips.

Keep riding to our hotel in Cao Bang town, where we can have dinner and relax to prepare for the next promising day.

Leave the Cao Bang town behind, and our team heads to Ma Phuc Pass – a stunning pass along Highway 3. The pass has a total of 7 steps with sharp curves. Before the path was widened, it was dubbed one of the most challenging routes in Northern Vietnam. However, such difficulties cannot prevent the adventurous riders from conquering the pass since the natural scenery captured at the top is unbelievable. Vast terraced fields, undulating mountains, and a sea of ​​clouds floating under your feet create an incredible Mother Nature masterpiece.

We will ride to Quang Uyen, the home of the Nung An people for lunch before hitting the road to Nguom Ngao Cave. This cave attracts tourists by countless stalactites rising from the ground in different shapes. Right from the moment you step into the cavern, you will feel the cool atmosphere along with the murmuring water of small streams flowing in the cave. The impressive beauty of vivid stalactites might make you think of the caves of Halong Bay, but for many visitors, Nguom Ngao Cave is much more amazing.

Only 3 km from Nguom Ngao Cave is Ban Gioc Waterfall – the most outstanding as well as the last destination on our journey. As we mentioned above, the beauty of the waterfall is incomparable. Due to the small number of tourists, it still retains the pristine beauty that makes your tough motorbike ride worthwhile.

What could be more enjoyable than being immersed in the majestic natural scenery, enjoying the thrill of riding on craggy passes and dangerous beaten paths? Once challenge yourself with the incredible off-road Vietnam motorbike tours from Ha Giang to Ban Gioc Waterfall, and you will never regret it.

Vietnam motorcycle tours promises to bring you the most unforgettable riding experience in your life. Come and join us with Ha Giang Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Lang Son – 8 days now.