Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave - Cao Bang, Vietnam - June 2023

 On the second day, we headed to the two main attractions of the tour: Ban Gioc Waterfall (Detian Falls) and Nguom Ngao Cave.

We started our day with a tradition hearty breakfast of Cao Bang shortly after we left the hotel.

Banh Cuon Cao Bang (Rice roll): egg and mince meat wrapped in a rice crepe.

Ban Gioc or Detian Falls is a collective name for two waterfalls on the Quay Son River which straddles the border between China (Chongzuo Province) and Vietnam (Cao Bang Province). It is currently the 4th largest waterfall along a national border, after Iguazu Falls, Victoria Falls and Niagara Falls. 

Monument at the falls in Vietnam 

Chinese skywalk over the falls - not yet in operation

The upper fall usually has more water in the afternoon after the water is released.

 Detian's lower fall

The waterfalls in the background from our boat ride.

Our boat captain

Chinese side of the falls

Nguom Ngao Cave is about 15 minute drive from Ban Gioc falls, in a remote area. Even though the Nguom Ngao cave complex covers about 3 km of caves, the tour takes less than an hour to cover about 900 meters. Vietnam is famous for its cave systems with Phong Nha and Thien Duong caves leading the list. We enjoyed exploring these magnificent caves in 2016. This time we are glad to discover one of the most beautiful caves in northern Vietnam called Nguom Ngao while visiting Ban Gioc waterfalls. 

The cave entrance

It is very hot and humid in Vietnam in June. The cave definitely provided a pleasant shelter from the hot sun. Afterwards, we headed to our hotel for the last night of the tour.