Operating the Ban Gioc Waterfall scenic area.

The system officially commenced operation following talks between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on October 13th, during the Chinese Premier's visit to Vietnam.

According to the Cao Bang Geopark Management Board, during the pilot phase, the landscape maintained a stable number of visitors, with 950 groups and approximately 12,000 individual tourists traveling between the two countries.

When officially operational, the scenic area will accommodate a maximum of 1,000 visitors per day, with 20 people per group. The cross-border tourism route is designed to include major attractions in both Vietnam and China.

On the Vietnamese side, tourists will tour from the foot of Ban Gioc Waterfall, passing the Saigon Hotel and Truc Lam Buddhist Temple before returning to the checkpoint to go back to China.

On the Chinese side, tourists will visit the Deqian Waterfall, shopping streets, viewpoints overlooking the waterfall, and scenic spots, before returning to Vietnam.

Cao Bang province stated that customs clearance procedures are being carried out in coordination with immigration, customs, and quarantine forces, creating favorable conditions for tourists from both sides to visit and experience the area.

Since December 2023, Vietnam and China have been piloting the operation of the Ban Gioc - Duc Thien scenic area. Vietnamese and Chinese tourists can visit the Ban Gioc - Duc Thien scenic area without needing a visa, requiring only a passport and travel permit. Tourists can complete procedures in the morning to cross the border on the same day, instead of having to wait 1-3 days as before.

The Ban Gioc Waterfall (Vietnam) - Duc Thien (China) scenic area, covering 400 hectares (200 hectares of Vietnamese territory and 200 hectares of Chinese territory), has been the subject of a cooperation agreement signed between the two sides to jointly protect and effectively exploit resources. The operation of this scenic area is of significant importance in economic development cooperation, friendly exchanges in the border region, and especially in tourism development.

Located on the Vietnam-China border, Ban Gioc Waterfall is situated in Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province. It is considered a place of majestic natural beauty, resembling a fairyland. With a height of over 60 meters and a longest slope of 30 meters, Ban Gioc Waterfall has repeatedly been named among the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam, the largest natural waterfall in Southeast Asia, and the fourth largest waterfall located on a border in the world. In May, Ban Gioc Waterfall was included in the list of the 21 most beautiful waterfalls in the world in 2024, selected by the prestigious American travel magazine Travel+Leisure , ranking 17th.

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/van-hanh-khu-canh-quan-thac-ban-gioc-duc-thien-395702.html