The 2-Day Cao Bang Loop Tour

The Ultimate 2-Day Cao Bang Loop: Ban Gioc Waterfall & The Angel’s Eye

Book this Tour

2 Day / 1 Night

Cao Bang, Vietnam

Group Size: 2-15 people

From $299 per person

Tour Overview

If you want to see the best of Northern Vietnam without the massive crowds of Ha Giang, this is the route. We’ve designed this 2-day loop to hit the heavy hitters Ban Gioc Waterfall and the Angel Eye while spending enough time in the local villages to actually feel the culture rather than just driving past it.

Whether you’re jumping on the back with one of our Easy Riders or taking a Private Car, this is a massive two days of riding.

Route Map

Itinerary

Day 1:

Cao Bang to Bian Gioc

We start at 8:30 AM from the hostel in Cao Bang City. After a quick coffee and bike check, we head straight into the heart of the UNESCO Geopark. The morning is all about the craft villages. We’ll stop at Phia Thap, where the air smells like cedar from the handmade incense, and Phuc Sen, a village famous for its traditional Nung blacksmiths.

After a local lunch in Quang Uyen, we head up to the Ba Quang Grass Hills. Depending on when you visit, these hills are either a bright, Swiss-Alps green or a deep “burnt” gold. It’s one of the best views in the province. By late afternoon, we reach Ban Gioc Waterfall. We time it this way to catch the better light and avoid the big tour bus groups that show up at noon.

We spend the night in Khuoi Ky, a 400-year-old stone village. These houses are incredible built entirely of rock by the Tay people. We’ll have a big family dinner with the hosts, likely involving some “happy water” (local rice wine) and plenty of stories.

Day 2:

Nguom Ngao Cave to Nui Thung

After breakfast at the homestay, we head to Nguom Ngao Cave. This isn’t your average tourist cave; it’s a massive limestone system with underground rivers. From there, we hit the Truc Lam Pagoda for the best aerial view of the waterfall and the Chinese border.

The highlight of the afternoon is the ride through Phong Nam Valley. It’s a winding road through rice paddies and towering karst peaks arguably the most photogenic spot in the north. Our final stop is Angel Eye Mountain (Nui Thung). It’s a literal hole through a mountain sitting in a giant green meadow. It’s the perfect place to wrap up the trip before we head back to Cao Bang City for the evening buses.

Image Gallery

Ban Gioc Waterfall

Nguom Ngao Cave

Angel Eye Mountain

Tour Highlights:

✅ Ban Gioc Waterfall: Stand at the foot of one of the world’s most breathtaking border waterfalls.

✅ Khuoi Ky Stone Village: Spend the night in a 400-year-old Tay ethnic village made entirely of stone.

✅ Angel Eye Mountain: Witness the geological marvel of “God’s Eye” (Nui Thung).

✅ Cultural Immersion: Visit traditional incense-making and blacksmith villages (Phia Thap & Phuc Sen).

✅ Phong Nam Valley: Ride through the most scenic valley in Northern Vietnam, often missed by standard tours most breathtaking border waterfalls.

Detailed Itenary

08:00 AM | Fuel Up: Meet your guide in Cao Bang City for a traditional breakfast (try the local Banh Cuon Cao Bang) and a quick safety briefing.

08:30 AM | Tribal Traditions: We head out toward Phia Thap, the famous incense-making village, and Phuc Sen, where the Nung people have practiced traditional blacksmithing for centuries.

12:00 PM | Local Lunch: Enjoy a home-cooked meal in Quang Uyen Town, the gateway to the eastern border.

01:00 PM | The “Mini-Switzerland” of Vietnam: We climb to Ba Quang (Vinh Quy) Grass Hill. Depending on the season, these rolling hills are either a lush green or a vibrant “burnt” gold, offering panoramic views of the karst landscape.

04:30 PM | Ban Gioc Waterfall: Arrive at the crown jewel. We visit in the late afternoon to catch the best light for photos and avoid the midday crowds.

05:30 PM | Step Back in Time: Check in at Khuoi Ky Stone Village. This heritage site features unique stone houses built centuries ago.

7:30 PM | Family Dinner: Share a feast of local specialties and “happy water” (corn wine) with your Tay hosts.

08:30 AM | Nguom Ngao Cave: Explore one of Vietnam’s most spectacular cave systems, filled with shimmering stalactites and underground rivers.

10:00 AM | Border Views: Visit Truc Lam Pagoda for an aerial view of the waterfall and the Chinese border.

11:00 AM | Phong Nam Valley: We take the “scenic route” through Phong Nam Village. This is the most photogenic valley in the region, with winding rivers and towering limestone peaks.

02:00 PM | The Angel Eye (Nui Thung): Our final stop is the iconic Angel Eye Mountain. This massive karst hole creates a “window” through the mountain, surrounded by a peaceful meadow and grazing cattle.

03:30 PM | Return to Cao Bang: We head back to the city in time for your afternoon limousine or a relaxing dinner before the night bus.

TRANSPORT & LOGISTIC

Getting to Cao Bang

Most people arrive via the night bus from Hanoi it gets you there early enough to start the tour the same morning. We coordinate logistics from multiple cities.

TOURS

DEPARTURE TYPE

DEPARTURE TIME

Hanoi ↔ Cao Bang

🚐 Luxury Limousine

06:00, 11:30 AM · 12:00–16:00 PM (Hourly)

Hanoi ↔ Cao Bang

🌙 Night Sleeper Bus

18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00

Ninh Binh ↔ Cao Bang

🌙 Night Sleeper Bus

19:00

Hai Phong / Cat Ba ↔ Cao Bang

🌙 Night Sleeper Bus

19:00

What’s Included in Your Expedition

Escape the tourist crowds of Ha Giang and discover the raw, untouched beauty of Cao Bang. This 2-day, 1-night loop is designed for those who want to see the “Big Three” Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, and Angel Eye Mountain without rushing. Whether you choose the comfort of a private car or the thrill of an Easy Rider motorbike tour, you’ll experience the authentic soul of Vietnam’s northern frontier.

Our tours are fully-inclusive, so you will not need to bring much cash at all. What you will need is a little spare change to buy souvenirs or to get those little treats like a massage or a cold-beer (yes, we can manage to find some).

⭐100usd / 2.6M vnd per day.

Inclusions

  • Bus transport to / from Hanoi
  • Pre tour hotel (dorm share)
  • Border Pass 
  • Easy Rider Tour Guide
  • Motorbike & Fuel + Helmet
  • elbow/knee pads
  • Accommodation / Dorm share
  • 3x meals / day
  • Entrance tickets + Tolls

Exclusions

  • visas
  • flight tickets
  • Border Pass 
  • souvenirs
  • alcohol / refreshments

Upgrades / Extras / Add-ons

Twin share room

Single / private room

Auto Bike*

Semi Auto Bike*

TXR150 Bike*

250,000vnd / day

500,000vnd / day

200,000vnd / day

200,000vnd / day

500,000vnd / day

*Must have valid home license + valid 1968 IDP

Common Questions

Everything You Need to Know

Leave your big suitcases at our hostel in Cao Bang City. You only need a small bag with a change of clothes, a swimsuit (for the waterfall area), sturdy shoes, and a light jacket. Even in summer, the mountain air can get chilly once the sun goes down.

Since Ban Gioc sits right on the border with China, it is a restricted zone. However, we handle all the paperwork and registration as part of the tour. Just make sure you have a photo of your passport and visa on your phone.

It’s not a trekking tour, but you’ll need to be mobile. There is some light walking at the waterfall, about 30 minutes of exploring inside the cave, and a short walk to get the best view of Angel Eye Mountain.

Yes, the stone village homestay has power outlets and basic WiFi. However, we recommend bringing a power bank for your phone or GoPro, as you’ll be taking photos all day and won’t have access to a plug until the evening.

We ride rain or shine. We provide high-quality ponchos, but if the weather looks dangerous (like a tropical storm), we can pivot the itinerary or move you into a private car for safety.

Why Book This Tour?

Expert Local Knowledge: Our guides don’t just drive; they tell the stories of the land.

Off-the-Beaten-Path: We include Phong Nam and Ba Quang places most commercial tours skip.

Flexibility: Available as a private car tour for families or an Easy Rider adventure for solo travelers.

Ready to Ride the Loop?

Spots fill up fast, especially during golden grass season (Oct–Nov). Get in touch and we’ll sort the rest.

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