Bản Giốc – Detian Falls on the Quây Sơn River, Vietnam

© Shane P. White/Minden Picture

A borderline paradise. Bản Giốc – Detian Falls, Vietnam

Welcome to a spot where rivers meet borders in the most stunning way: Bản Giốc – Detian Falls, featured in today's image. Tucked between the karst hills of Daxin County in China and Trùng Khánh district in Vietnam, these falls tumble along the Quây Sơn River. Over 25 metres tall and more than 80 metres wide, it holds the distinction of being the widest waterfall in Vietnam. Located over 270 kilometres north of Hanoi, the waterfalls have gradually worn away their crest over the years, inching upstream. For most of the year, they flow as two distinct cascades, but come summer, when the rains swell the river, they merge into one big fall. Even with better roads, easier public transport and drone videos showing off the jaw-dropping beauty of the falls, Bản Giốc remains refreshingly off the beaten path. Mass tourism hasn't caught up yet, and on most weekdays, you'll find only a handful of visitors—just you, the locals and the sound of cascading water.

Just as Bản Giốc stuns with its beauty, Chitrakoot Falls in India captivates with its scale and seasonal transformation. This waterfall, often called the 'Niagara Falls of India,' is renowned for its breathtaking width. During the monsoon season, it stretches up to an impressive 300 metres, making it the widest waterfall in the country, with water tumbling down from a height of about 30 metres. Interestingly, the fall's width changes with the seasons, adding a dynamic charm to its beauty.