BAN GIOC WATER FALL

Being one of the main tourist attractions of Cao Bang province, Ban Gioc Waterfall is designated as a national scenic spot pursuant to Decision No. 989/QD-BVHTTDL of May 20^th 1998 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Located on the Quay Son River at Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, it is regarded the fourth largest waterfall in the world at an international border, after Iguazu Falls between Brazil and Argentina, Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe and Niagara Falls between the United States of America and Canada.
Ban Gioc waterfall is approximately 300m wide and 35m high, with three cascades. The waterfall is composed of a main and a subordinate waterfall. The main waterfall, approximately 50m wide, is on the border between China and Vietnam. The subordinate waterfall is situated in Vietnam and is 150m wide, including one cascade approximately 30m high. At this locality, a NE-SW fault cuts through the thinly-bedded limestone and shale of the Ban Cong Formation (D₂gvbcg, c.388-383 million years in age, containing Stromatoporoid Amphipora fossils). This has resulted in uplift of the NW side and subsidence of the SE side, thus creating the waterfall.
Upstream the waterfall is a mature to old karst landscape with peak clusters-depressions merging with isolated towers on a planation surface at an altitude of 400-600m asl.
Downstream the waterfall, the Quay Son River valley extends several km more in a NW-SE direction with fault cliffs and karst fields. Thick forest covers both up and downstream, which, coupled with clean and frothy water all the year round and peaceful and lively human activities, will surely provide visitors with unforgettable experience.
The site is jointly managed by both China and Vietnam under a special international agreement that regulates touristic activities on both sides of this border waterfall.