No overnight stay
Day tour
$48 /person
- English-speaking local guide for the full tour
- All entrance fees to attractions on the itinerary
- Travel insurance
One day, a whole world of Cao Bang winding mountain roads, quiet Nung villages, the roar of Ban Gioc, and a final view through the eye of the mountain.
Overview
The day begins in Cao Bang City and follows the limestone road through Ma Phuc Pass. Along the way, you walk through a Nung village, watch traditional paper being made and explore the ancient formations inside Nguom Ngao Cave.
After lunch, you reach Ban Gioc Waterfall and follow the Quay Son River through Phong Nam Valley. The final stop is Angel Eye Mountain, where a circular opening in the limestone looks out over one of Cao Bang’s widest valleys.
Please contact us if you prefer to travel by car or Jeep.
Itinerary
Here's how the full day. actually runs, timed so you ride in daylight and reach each viewpoint when the light is best.
Weather and road conditions in the mountains change quickly, so your guide may reorder a stop or two along the way. Whatever changes, it's always to keep the ride safe and the day enjoyable.
A full-day route through waterfalls, caves, craft villages, river valleys, and geopark landscapes.
Meet your guide in Cao Bang City
Meet your guide at our office in Cao Bang City. Start the day with a traditional Cao Bang breakfast such as rice rolls, roasted duck noodle soup, or sour pho, depending on the day and local availability.
Scenic drive through the UNESCO Global Geopark
Depart Cao Bang City and follow one of the most scenic routes in the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark. Stop at Ma Phuc Pass, a dramatic natural gateway formed between two limestone mountains and one of the region's unique geological heritage sites.
Traditional Nung craft village
Take a short walk through a peaceful Nung ethnic village. Along the village road, you will see traditional stilt houses and a slower rhythm of local daily life. You will also learn about traditional paper-making from local families and may try the process yourself with their guidance.
PRICE INCLUSIONS
Rates & options
A full day on the road with a local rider, back before dark. No overnight stay.
No overnight stay
Day tour
$48 /person
THE SERENITY DIFFERENCE
The route brings together Cao Bang’s waterfall, cave and mountain landscapes without rushing from one photo stop to the next. You have time to walk through a village, look closely inside Nguom Ngao Cave and pause when the valley opens beside the road.
Ban Gioc may be the best-known name on the route, but the road around it carries much of the day’s character. You pass Ma Phuc Pass, follow the green Quay Son River and finish beneath the natural opening of Angel Eye Mountain.
In a Nung village, you see how traditional paper is still made by local families. The process is slow and practical, shaped by knowledge passed down through the household rather than prepared as a performance for visitors.
Confident riders can take a semi-automatic motorbike, while guests who prefer to watch the landscape can add an Easy Rider. A private car is also available for those who want the same route with greater comfort.
STAYS & MEALS
Stay at Nasan, a peaceful place close to the route, surrounded by beautiful scenery and near the stream. It’s comfortable and convenient for a night in Cao Bang, without feeling crowded.
Near Ban Gioc you stay at Nasan Green Farm, a riverside farm stay of stilt houses and bungalows in Trung Khanh, with rice fields and the Quay Son River out front and mountains behind. Kayak the river, wander the flower gardens, or cycle the lanes before a dinner cooked from the farm's own vegetables.
Dinner brings a taste of Cao Bang, with local dishes prepared with fresh ingredients and enjoyed in a relaxed setting. The hosts are warm and welcoming, making it easy to feel at home and connect with the people and place around you.
We choose stays that are small and peaceful rather than crowded. There’s enough comfort to rest well, but also enough shared space to sit down, have a drink, swap stories and connect with fellow travellers.
Traveller stories
A few honest impressions from guests who've done this trip.
"Doing the Ha Giang Loop with Serenity was an incredible experience"
Gabbi
"It was one of the best experiences in my life"
Gulia
"It've been a lovely experience"
Joel
"Ha Giang Loop with Serenity was amazing"
Nico
"I've been having a really awesome time"
Samuel
"We loved it because people were so kind"
Sarah
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Start planning
Share your travel dates and group size. A local planner confirms availability, pick-up point and the right plan for your group.
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Tell us your dates, pace and interests. A local planner will help shape the route around you.
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QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU GO
The route includes Ban Gioc Waterfall, but the day is shaped by the roads and communities around it. You also explore Nguom Ngao Cave, visit a Nung paper-making village and travel through Phong Nam Valley before ending at Angel Eye Mountain.
One day is enough for a strong introduction to the landscapes east of Cao Bang City. The itinerary covers the region’s main UNESCO Geopark highlights while leaving time for a cave walk, a village visit and lunch near Ban Gioc.
The one-day route focuses on Cao Bang’s eastern UNESCO Geopark, bringing Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Phong Nam Valley and Angel Eye Mountain into one carefully planned day. Longer tours travel farther into the province, with more time for Pac Bo, remote valleys, craft villages and overnight stays with local communities.
Yes. This tour works well as a compact Cao Bang experience before or after a Ha Giang journey. You will need to arrive in Cao Bang City the night before the tour and allow enough time for the transfer between the two provinces. The one-day tour begins and ends in Cao Bang City, so onward transport should be planned separately.
It suits travellers with limited time who still want to see more than Ban Gioc Waterfall. It is also a good choice if Cao Bang is one stop in a longer northern Vietnam trip, or if you prefer returning to the same hotel instead of changing accommodation each night.
You will see many of Cao Bang’s best-known eastern landscapes, but there is less time for quiet back roads and daily life in the villages. Pac Bo and the deeper countryside are also outside this route. Choose a longer tour if you want slower mornings, homestay evenings and more time away from the main landmarks.
Continue exploring the north
POPULAR TOUR
Ride the famous passes, then turn off to quiet H'mong villages like Sao Ha, with a Nho Que boat ride and local riders the whole way.
POPULAR TOUR
A slower, deeper ride through Ha Giang, pairing Ma Pi Leng and Lung Cu with the streams, caves and craft villages most tours skip.
In-depth Tour
The full sweep of the northeast in one ride, from the passes of Ha Giang to the waterfalls and hidden valleys of Cao Bang.
Popular Tour
Follow Cao Bang from the history of Pac Bo to working craft villages, Ban Gioc Waterfall and a sunset walk through Ngoc Con Valley.
Popular Tour
Ride from craft villages and grass hills to Nguom Ngao Cave, Ban Gioc Waterfall and a night in Khuoi Ky Stone Village.
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