The famous victory on the border
Ban Gioc waterfall (Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province) is one of the largest natural waterfalls in Southeast Asia and the fourth largest in the world among waterfalls located on international borders.
Not only a symbol of majesty and nature, Ban Gioc Waterfall is also a prominent highlight in the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and China.
On November 5, 2015, under the witness of the General Secretaries of the two countries, the Governments of Vietnam and China signed a Cooperation Agreement on the protection and exploitation of tourism resources of Ban Gioc Waterfall (Vietnam - Duc Thien (China).
The agreement establishes the first bilateral cooperation model in the border area, with a scale of 400 hectares of Scenic Area (each side 200 hectares).
This is a strategic step, clearly demonstrating the goodwill and determination of the two countries in building peaceful, friendly, cooperative and developing borders.
After many years of preparation and implementation, on September 15, 2023, the two sides held a pilot operation ceremony of the Scenic Area. On October 15, 2024, Ban Gioc - Duc Thien Waterfall Tourist Area officially came into operation, allowing tourists from both countries to travel.
According to the representative of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Cao Bang province, this event marks an important milestone in the foreign affairs of the two Parties and two States, affirming political trust and the ability to cooperate mutually beneficially.
This is also the premise for developing the Scenic Area into a model of border tourism, harmonizing conservation, development and ensuring security and sovereignty.
Joining hands to preserve the landscape, stabilize the people's hearts, and develop sustainably
Accordingly, Ban Gioc waterfall has faced many difficulties in management, infrastructure, and livelihoods for people. Previously, many households built temporary tents for spontaneous trading around the waterfall foot, affecting the landscape, aesthetics and security and order.
"This is the result of the unsynchronized conversion of livelihood models - from farming and animal husbandry to tourism services when infrastructure is not fully invested" - A representative of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Cao Bang commented.
As a border province with many difficulties, Cao Bang faces an unlikely problem when it both maintains sovereignty and ensures border security; deploys an unprecedented cooperation model; and creates conditions for the development of the tourism economy associated with environmental protection, culture and legitimate rights of local people.
Faced with that reality, in April 2024, Cao Bang province approved and implemented the Plan "Strengthening management and ensuring security and order, improving the quality of service for Ban Gioc Waterfall Tourist Area".
The goal is to rectify spontaneous activities, ensure livelihoods for people, and at the same time restore the landscape of the waterfall foot area.
Thanks to the direction of the Provincial Party Committee, the People's Committee of Cao Bang province and the synchronous participation of departments, branches, sectors and local authorities, the plan has been effectively implemented.
By April 10, 2025, hundreds of spontaneous tents had been dismantled. The parking lot has been moved to a new location about 2km from the waterfall using socialized sources, electric vehicles have been put into trial operation, the concentrated service area for people has been completed, the sightseeing route has been reorganized appropriately.
In particular, the reorganization process was carried out in moderation, on the basis of dialogue and consensus. People are provided with free kiosks and business instructions in accordance with regulations. From spontaneous to methodical, from fragile to order - Ban Gioc people have worked with the government to create a civilized, friendly and safe tourism space.
The change at Ban Gioc waterfall is not only about beautifying the landscape, but also demonstrating a new development mindset, taking people as the center, using consensus as the foundation, promoting local internal resources combined with support from the Central Government.
"People's support is the foundation for border security, the consensus of border residents is a solid foundation for successfully implementing the inter-national cooperation model in this area" - said a representative of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Cao Bang province.
Ban Gioc Waterfall is improving to become an attractive destination. At the same time, this is also a vivid testament to a Vietnam that is peace-loving, proactive in integrating and capable of organizing and operating specific international cooperation models for the benefit of the people and sustainable development of the border area.
