After a period of pilot operation from September 15, 2023, to date, in Trùng Khánh District, the Cao Bang Provincial People’s Committee and the People’s Government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) organized the official launch ceremony of the Ban Gioc Waterfall (Vietnam) – De Tian (China) Scenic Area.
The official operation was implemented following the talks between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on October 13, during the Chinese Premier’s visit to Vietnam.
According to the authorities, after a year of implementation, the pilot operation of the Ban Gioc Waterfall (Vietnam) – De Tian (China) Scenic Area has been maintained, and the clearance procedures have been flexibly, scientifically, and civilizedly handled by the immigration control forces, in accordance with the regulations, creating favorable conditions for tourists from both sides to visit the Scenic Area.
In addition, the management board of Cao Bang Non Nuoc Geopark shared that during the pilot period, the Scenic Area maintained a stable number of visitors with 950 groups and approximately 12,000 entries of cross-border tourists between the two countries.
With the official operation, the Scenic Area will receive a maximum of 1,000 entries per day, with 20 people per group. The cross-border travel itinerary includes main visiting points in both Vietnam and China.
Tourists visiting and experiencing Ban Gioc Waterfall
The cross-border travel itinerary includes main visiting points in both Vietnam and China. The experience offers tourists diverse perspectives of one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
In the Vietnamese side, tourists will visit from the foot of Ban Gioc Waterfall, passing by Saigon Hotel and Truc Lam Phat Tich Pagoda.
On the Chinese side, tourists will visit De Tian Waterfall, the shopping street, the waterfall viewing point from above, and the viewing yards. This cross-border cooperation area covers an area of 400 hectares, with 200 hectares on each side.
The inspection and control of entry and exit procedures at the Ban Gioc (Vietnam) – De Tian (China) border gate have been properly conducted by the Border Guard, Customs, and Quarantine forces, creating favorable conditions for tourists from both sides to cross the border. The coordination between the two travel companies in receiving and sending tourists across the border has been quite smooth and compliant with the laws of both sides. Infrastructure in the Scenic Area on both sides has also received attention and investment.
Speaking at the official launch ceremony of the Ban Gioc Waterfall (Vietnam) – De Tian (China) Scenic Area on October 15, Vice Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial People’s Committee Trinh Truong Huy emphasized that the cooperation model for the protection and tourism development of Ban Gioc Waterfall (Vietnam) – De Tian (China) is a new model without precedent.
The official operation of the Scenic Area will contribute to promoting tourism cooperation, enhancing friendly exchanges between the local people of the two border provinces, and significantly promoting the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China to a deeper level.
Immediately after the official launch, two groups of Vietnamese tourists and four groups of Chinese tourists (20 people per group) visited the Scenic Area on both sides. 
According to the plan, the border gate will be open to tourists from 8:00 am Hanoi time (9:00 am Beijing time). After 2:00 pm Hanoi time, the organization of cross-border groups will be stopped. The closing time of the border gate is 5:00 pm Hanoi time (6:00 pm Beijing time). Tourists crossing the border are not allowed to stay illegally. The visiting time for each cross-border tourist group should not exceed 6 hours. For now, citizens of third countries are not allowed to cross the border into the Scenic Area of either side.
Located on the Vietnam-China border, Ban Gioc Waterfall is in Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province. It is known for its majestic natural scenery, resembling a fairyland. Additionally, Ban Gioc Waterfall is the only representative of Vietnam on the list of the 21 most beautiful waterfalls in the world for 2024, as voted by Travel+Leisure, a renowned American travel magazine, in mid-May.
