Northeast Vietnam 4 Days 3 Nights: Ba Bể Lake & Bản Giốc Waterfall
Four days from Hanoi: a boat on Ba Bể Lake, a night in a Tày stilt house, then Nguồm Ngao Cave and Bản Giốc Waterfall in Cao Bằng.
Hanoi – Ba Be Lake – Bac Kan – Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfall – Nguom Ngao Cave – Khuoi Ky stone village – Hanoi
Overview
A four-day, three-night route from Hanoi into Vietnam's northeast, with the first night in a homestay at Pác Ngòi village on Ba Bể Lake and the next two nights in a hotel in Cao Bằng or Trùng Khánh. Day two is a boat on Ba Bể Lake and the drive to Cao Bằng; day three covers the waterfall, cave and stone village. Prices start at 556 USD per person.
Ba Bể Lake and Bản Giốc Waterfall in four days
This four-day loop goes from Hanoi to Ba Bể National Park, then north to Cao Bằng province on the Chinese border, and back to Hanoi along National Highway 3.
Ba Bể is the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam. You cross it by motorboat, visit Puông Cave and Widow’s Island, and sleep in a Tày stilt house in Pác Ngòi village, where dinner is grilled lake fish and homemade corn wine.
The next day you cross Gió Pass into Cao Bằng and visit Nguồm Ngao Cave. On day three you reach Bản Giốc Waterfall, which sits on the border, then visit Trúc Lâm Phật Tích Pagoda and the Khuổi Ky stone village. Day four starts with the market in Cao Bằng and ends with the drive back.
Three places you will spend time
Ba Bể Lake by boat
A motorboat across the lake to An Mã Temple, Bà Góa Island and Puông Cave.
Bản Giốc Waterfall
The waterfall on the Vietnam–China border, with an optional bamboo raft to its base.
Nguồm Ngao Cave
A large limestone cave with stalactite chambers, visited on the way to the waterfall.
Before you book
Check whether the bamboo raft at Bản Giốc is in your package, as it is also listed as an option. Guides speak Vietnamese; a Korean, Chinese or Japanese guide can be added for a surcharge.
Highlights
Four days and three nights, starting and finishing in Hanoi.
One night in a homestay at Pac Ngoi Village on Ba Be Lake; two nights in a hotel in Cao Bang or Trùng Khánh.
Boat trip on Ba Be Lake to An Ma Temple, Ba Goa Island and Puong Cave.
Ban Gioc Waterfall, Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda, Nguom Ngao Cave and Khuoi Ky stone village on day three.
Air-conditioned car and a Vietnamese-speaking guide for the whole route, with travel insurance included.
From 556 USD per person, with optional kayaking, cycling, a bamboo raft at the waterfall, and extra stops at Pac Bo or Mat Than Mountain.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Hanoi – Ba Bể National Park – Lake Boat Trip – Pác Ngòi Village
- Morning pickup in Hanoi and drive through the northern hills
- Arrive at Ba Bể National Park and check in to a lakeshore stilt house
- Motorboat across Ba Bể Lake, visiting Puông Cave and Widow’s Island
- Walk around Pác Ngòi, a Tày village
- Family dinner of grilled lake fish and homemade corn wine
Day 2
Ba Bể Lake – Gió Pass – Cao Bằng – Nguồm Ngao Cave
- Breakfast at the homestay
- Drive through the mountain passes towards the Chinese border
- Lunch in Quảng Uyên
- Walk through the stalactite chambers of Nguồm Ngao Cave
- Arrive in the Bản Giốc area, check in and have dinner
Day 3
Bản Giốc Waterfall – Trúc Lâm Pagoda – Khuổi Ky Stone Village
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Visit Bản Giốc Waterfall; a bamboo raft to the base is available as an option
- Climb to Trúc Lâm Phật Tích Pagoda for a view over the border area
- Lunch with roast Cao Bằng duck
- Afternoon visit to Khuổi Ky stone village
- Check in at your hotel for the evening
Day 4
Cao Bằng – Local Market – Return to Hanoi
- Breakfast, then a visit to Cao Bằng market
- Buy local products: Trùng Khánh chestnuts, vermicelli and dried mushrooms
- Drive back to Hanoi along National Highway 3
- Arrive in Hanoi Old Quarter in the late afternoon
Included / Not Included
Included
- Newer air-conditioned car for the whole route
- Experienced Vietnamese-speaking guide with local knowledge
- Two- to three-star hotels or clean, comfortable homestays (three nights)
- Meals as programmed, including breakfast and a range of main meals
- Entrance fees for the sites on the itinerary: Ba Be Lake, Puong Cave, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave and Khuoi Ky stone village
- Ba Bể Lake motorboat. The Bản Giốc bamboo raft is not included unless stated in your confirmed package.
- Travel insurance for the whole tour.
Not included
- Drinks with meals and outside the programme
- Tips for the guide and driver, at your discretion
- Personal expenses, laundry, phone calls and shopping
- Entrance tickets for sites outside the programme at Pac Bo and Mat Than Mountain if you choose to add them