The 19 Most Magnificent Waterfalls in Vietnam (with Photos)

Looking for the best waterfalls in Vietnam?

We’ve plunged you right into the trickles and torrents of them all, with a lengthy list of the 19 best waterfalls in the nation.

We’ve included waterfalls in the north, south and center of Vietnam, so you can visit some waterfalls no matter where you’re traveling. Some of our inclusions are accessible day trip options, others are much more rural and remote, and some are well off the tourist track.

Wherever you’re traveling in Vietnam, whatever type of traveler you are, and whatever type of waterfall you’re looking for, we’ve got something perfect on this list. This is the ultimate compendium of Vietnam’s best waterfalls.

Take your clothes off, slip into your swimsuit and join us – we’re diving right into the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam!

Best Waterfalls in Northern Vietnam

1 of 19

1. Ban Gioc Waterfall

Kicking this list off is the most famous waterfall in Vietnam.

Clocking in at a hefty 300 metres in width, Ban Gioc Waterfall is the largest waterfall in the nation. It’s so big that most tourists explore it by boat, on a rudimentary wooden raft, which rides them close to the complex’s various pools, falls and rocky outcrops. Hiring a local guide for a boat trip is undoubtedly the best way to enjoy the vast Ban Gioc.

In reality, Ban Gioc waterfall isn’t just one waterfall – it’s a massive collection of loads of big waterfalls, all of which descend dramatically into several connected plunge pools to form a collection of shelf-like terraces.

Ban Gioc Waterfall sits right on the Chinese border, in the remote and rural Cao Gang province in the northeastern pocket of Vietnam. It’s a languid, laid-back area, perfect if you like hiking, road-tripping and exploring tribal villages, limestone peaks and verdant farmland.

Location: TL 211, Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang
Distance from the closest big city: 83km from Cao Bang city
How to get there: Take a public minibus or ride a scooter directly from Cao Bang city to the falls. It’s also possible to take an organized tour from anywhere in Cao Bang
Opening hours: N/A, but you can only enjoy boat trips during daylight hours
Entrance fee: 40,000 VND (around $2). You might also need to show your passport. A trip on a bamboo raft typically costs 50,000 VND (around $2.50)
Parking fee: 10,000 VND (around $0.50)

2 of 19

2. Thac May Waterfall

Another shelf-like northern waterfall, Thac May Waterfall (sometimes just ‘May Waterfall,’ or ‘Cloud Waterfall’) is around 3 hours south of Hanoi.

It’s a unique and unusual place, as the water runs over nine lumpy, narrow strips of spongy-looking rock rather than cascading dramatically. Because of it’s weird structure, the place is known locally as ‘the nine steps of love’.

If you’re seeking a lesser-known waterfall that offers seclusion and solitude, Thac May Waterfall is a good choice. It’s relatively popular with local tourists, but few foreigners take the trip. It’s situated in Thanh Hoa province, which is similar to Ninh Binh, but with much smaller numbers of tourists.

Location: May Waterfall, Thach Lam, Thach Thanh District, Thanh Hoa province
Distance from the closest big city: 113km from Hanoi, and 78km from Ninh Binh
How to get there: Hire a private driver or scooter and take a day trip from Hanoi or Ninh Binh. You can also find homestays in the rural parts of Thanh Hoa province, which provide an easier access point
Opening hours: N/A, but the roads and paths are hard to find, so you should only visit during daylight hours

3 of 19

3. Mu Waterfall

Very close to Thac May Waterfall is Mu Waterfall, but listen up, cos this gets complicated.

The two waterfalls are only around 10 or 15km from one another, but while May Waterfall is in Thanh Hoa district, Mu Waterfall is in Hoa Binh District. And because there’s no direct road between the two, it’s a 50km circular drive to get from one to the other. That said, visiting both on the same day makes for an adventure-packed day trip.

It’s also probably possible to hike between the two. They’re (almost) connected by a river, so if you follow the river between the two, you should be able to reach the waterfalls from one another by foot. It should be easy enough, but I’ve never done it and I don’t know if there’s actually a path, so don’t blame me if you get lost or die or whatever.

A lengthy cascade which sits at an altitude of around 1000 meters, Mu Waterfall is mainly made up of 1 wide torrent which occasionally separates into several smaller falls. The plunge pool beneath it is an excellent spot for a swim.

Surrounding Mu Waterfall, you’ll find ruins, ramshackle homes, dense forests, towering peaks and Muong tribal settlements.

Location: Mu Village, Lac Son District, Hoa Binh, Vietnam
Distance from the closest big city: 125km from Hanoi, 90km from Ninh Binh, and very close to all homestays in the tiny Mu village
How to get there: Hire a private driver or ride a scooter as a day trip from Hanoi or Ninh Binh. If you’re staying in the rural parts of Hoa Binh province, it’s easy to arrange a private driver to take you to Mu Waterfall
Opening hours: N/A, but the roads and paths are basic, badly-maintained and hard to find, so visit during daylight hours

4 of 19

4. Du Gia Waterfall

Dua Gia Waterfall is smaller and less spectacular than some others on our list, but it’s a great stop if you’re journeying along the peaks and panoramas of the Ha Giang Loop. After a few days of sweaty riding through the mountainous karsts of Ha Giang, it’s nice to have a little dip in a waterfall.

Riding your scooter to the waterfall is a nice adventure, as it takes you through even more rural pockets of the province you’ve already been exploring. You’ll ride through farmland, beyond small homes and alongside local children, who’ll probably offer to come to the waterfall with you.

The waterfall itself offers one medium-sized cascade which drops into a small but inviting plunge pool. While some waterfalls on this list are too big for a proper swim, Du Gia Waterfall is perfect for it.

Location: Du Gia, Yen Minh, Ha Giang 310000
Distance from the closest big city: Only around 5km from the small settlement of Du Gia and all of its popular homestays
How to get there: When you leave Du Gia on your Ha Giang Loop trip, ask any local for directions to the waterfall. It only takes around 20 or 30 minutes to reach it
Opening hours: N/A, but get there early in the morning to avoid the crowds

5 of 19

5. Thac Bac Waterfall

Located very close to central Sapa, Thac Bac Waterfall (also known as ‘Silver Waterfall’) is a popular attraction for anyone exploring the region, and it’s one of the most accessible waterfalls in Vietnam.

Sapa is the most popular trekking hub in Vietnam, so one of the best ways to visit Thac Bac is by hiking to it. Most people ride a motorbike or take a private car, but hiking to Thac Bac provides an excellent payoff. You can also combine hiking here with hiking through some of the nearby peaks and rice fields.

Thac Bac Waterfall is a towering 200 metres in height, and it’s mainly made up of one narrow gorge that’s been slashed through stone by the rapidly-running water. You can’t swim in Thac Bac Waterfall, but you’ll find some great views – the best vistas are found from the steel bridge about halfway up its heights.

Location: QL4D, San Sa Ho, Sa Pa, Lao Cai, Vietnam
Distance from the closest big city: Only around 12km from the center of Sapa town
How to get there: Ride a scooter or hire a private driver. Alternatively, you can (and should) choose to visit as part of a trekking tour, which you can organize at any Sapa homestay
Entrance fee: 20,000 VND (around $1)

6 of 19

6. Thac Tinh Waterfall

Very close to Thac Bac Waterfall is Thac Tinh Waterfall – the two are only 3km apart from one another, and it’s possible to both hike and drive between them. Again, it’s possible to visit Tac Tinh as part of a hike in the area, and it’s easy to arrange a hike which includes both Tac Tinh and Thac Bac.

The waterfall’s highest point measures in at around 130 meters, and its intense cascade settles into a lake before then moving onward along a stream. It’s a fun place to explore, with lots of inviting opportunities to swim, hike and enjoy various viewpoints. There’s a paved path which takes you around lots of the waterfall, making it impossible to get lost.

The name ‘Thac Tinh’ translates to ‘Love Waterfall,’ because of its association with an ancient legend in which a young couple disappeared here because of their forbidden love.

Location: Son Binh, Tam Duong District, Lai Chau, Vietnam
Distance from the closest big city: Only around 15km from the center of Sapa town.
How to get there: Ride a scooter or hire a private driver to bring you here. Alternatively, you can choose to visit as part of a trekking tour. Again, try to combine a visit here with a visit to Thac Bac Waterfall
Entrance fee: 70,000 VND ($3.50) for adults, 30,000 ($1.50) VND for children

7 of 19

7. Khe Van Waterfall

This isn’t Vietnam’s best or most beautiful waterfall, but it’s secluded and lesser-known, making it a great spot for travelers who like finding hidden hangouts.

You’ll find Khe Van Waterfall in the most northeastern part of Vietnam, nestled in the quiet Binh Lieu district. Binh Lieu district isn’t particularly popular with tourists, but the landscape is a lot like the one you’ll find Sapa, perfect for hikers and other outdoor adventurers who prefer exploring unknown areas.

Khe Van Waterfall itself is set in a forest, around 14km from the small settlement in the center of Binh Lieu. It’s 100 meters high, it has a great plunge pool for swimming, and it’s surrounded by ethnic San Chi and San Diu tribes, some of the nation’s lesser-known people.

Khe Van Waterfall is a common dating spot for lots of local teenagers, and the three-story structure provides plenty of variety, with wildflowers, various viewing points and plenty of places to take a dip.

Location: Huc Dong, Binh Lieu District, Quang Ninh, Vietnam
Distance from the closest big city: 14km from the small settlement of Binh Lieu, and around 250km northeast of Hanoi
How to get there: Hire a private driver or ride a motorbike from Binh Lieu

Best Waterfalls in Central Vietnam

8 of 19

1. Thuy Tien Waterfall

Straddled somewhere between central Vietnam and southern Vietnam, Thuy Thien Waterfall is much more gentle and romantic than your average waterfall, as it trickles down several shelves of piled-up rock.

Right in the heart of the Central Highlands of Vietnam, Thuy Thien Waterfall is one of the lesser-known entries on this list, its closest city the rarely-visited Buon Ma Thuot.

Nestled between coffee fields, rubber plantations, dense jungles, winding roads and vertiginous verges, the waterfall is set in a quiet valley that perfectly sums up the attractions and allure of Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Quiet, secluded and beautiful, it’s a great spot for peaceful adventures.

Location: Thuy Tien Waterfall, Ea Puk, Ea Kar, Dak Lak province
Distance from the closest big city: Around 70km from Buon Ma Thuot
How to get there: Ride a scooter or rent a private car to take a day trip from Buon Ma Thuot, Nha Trang, Tuy Hoa or any of the smaller towns and settlements in the region
Entrance fee: 25,000 VND (just over $1) for adults, and 10,000 VND (around $0.50) for kids

9 of 19

2. Dray Nur Waterfall

Dray Nur Waterfall is one of the biggest waterfall complexes in Vietnam, with a massive pool sitting underneath a craggy, precipitous overhang. South east of Thuy Tien Waterfall and also close to Buon Ma Thuot, there’s endless space to swim here, while the waterfall itself is intense and exciting, and there’s a massive cave lurking behind the falls.

Measuring in at around 3,000 square meters, and packed with jagged stalactites and stalagmites, the inside of the cave offers excellent views of the waterfall, and its accessible from a bank of rock that runs around the perimeter of the waterfall. The entire complex is huge, with loads of places to swim, hike and clamber around.

Location: Duong di thac Dray Nur, Dray Sap, Krong Ana, Dak Lak
Distance from the closest big city: Around 25km from Buon Ma Thuot
How to get there: There are public buses that can take you some of the way from Buon Ma Thuot to Dray Nur Waterfall, but none of them travel the entire way. It’s therefore much easier to just ride a scooter or hire a private driver from Buon Ma Thuot
Opening hours: 6am-6pm
Entrance fee: 30,000 VND ($1.50)
Parking fee: 5,000 VND ($0.25)

10 of 19

3. Gia Long Waterfall

Only a short few kilometers from Dray Nur Waterfall is Gia Long Waterfall, so you should definitely visit them both at the same time.

Gia Long is narrower than Dray Nur, making the flow of the water even faster than that of its nearby neighbor. Its highest point sits at around 30 meters, and it’s much more enclosed than Dray Nur. There’s a rudimentary rope bridge along with other great viewing platforms.

If you like paddling around in watery attractions, this whole region is a great place to spend a day – as well as Gia Long and Dray Nur, you also get other small waterfalls, caves, Buon Kuop Reservoir, the Serepok River and the beautiful Lak Lake.

All of these sites and attractions are within close distance of one another, so you can visit them all as a (very long) day trip, or use the area as a base for lots of shorter day trips.

Location: Di Cum thac Dray Sap, Dray Sap, Krong No, Dak Nong
Distance from the closest big city: Around 30km from Buon Ma Thuot, and only around 5km from Dray Nur Waterfall
How to get there: Again, you could use some public transport to take you some of the way from Buon Ma Thuot, but it’s much easier just to hire a scooter or a private car
Opening hours: 8am-6pm
Entrance fee: 40,000 VND ($2)

11 of 19

4. Datanla Waterfall

Only 6km from the center of Da Lat is Datanla Waterfall, by far one of the most popular waterfalls on this list. The waterfall itself isn’t particularly impressive, but it’s part of a complex that offers lots of fun family-friendly activities.

There’s a rollercoaster, a cable car, rafting, abseiling and more, all of which are offered at and around different levels and sections of the waterfall.

If you’re looking for something secluded and serene, don’t bother with Datanla Waterfall. But if you want something kitsch, fun, and easy to access, or if you’re traveling with kids, Datanla Waterfall is okay.

Similar to Datanla Waterfall is Prenn Waterfall, also close to Da Lat and also packed with fun family attractions and experiences.

Location: QL20 Deo Prenn, Phuong 3, Thanh pho, Da Lat, Lam Dong 66000
Distance from the closest big city: Around 6km from Da Lat
How to get there: Catch any bus headed south on the QL20, or hire a scooter or a bicycle to make your own way there. You could even walk
Opening hours: 7am-5pm, although some of the attractions might have slightly different opening times within these hours
Entrance fee: 20,000 VND ($1) for adults, 10,000 VND ($0.50) for kids. You also have to pay extra for all of the other attractions

12 of 19

5. Ba Ho Waterfall

A popular and accessible day trip from Nha Trang, Ba Ho Waterfall is most popular with cave jumpers, who like diving into the depths of the waterfall’s various plunge pools. There are three tiers of pools and falls (‘Ba Ho’ translates to ‘three pools’), while the biggest leap clocks in at a hefty 12 meters.

There are some nice small hiking trails up tough terrain, and the whole area is densely forested. To get to some of the more remote sections of the complex, you need to clamber over rocks and stepping stones.

Quiet and serene, Ba Ho Waterfall is a good option if you’re looking for one of Vietnam’s lesser-known waterfalls.

Location: Ninh Ich, Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa Province
Distance from the closest big city: Around 25km from Nha Trang
How to get there: Rent a scooter or a private driver, or take an organized tour from Nha Trang
Opening hours: 6am-6pm
Entrance fee: 40,000 VND ($2)

13 of 19

6. Phu Cuong Waterfall

One of the most remote and unexplored entries on this list, Phu Cuong Waterfall is (relatively) close to Pleiku, one of the least-explored cities in the whole of Vietnam. Here, you won’t find the souvenir shacks and drinks stalls that plague so many other beauty spots in Southeast Asia. If you want to enjoy a waterfall without crowds, this is one of the best waterfalls on our list.

A sheer drop over around 40 meters, Phu Cuong Waterfall is made up mainly of one giant sheet of water which tumbles down the red cliffs around it.

Location: Phu Cuong Waterfall, Highway 25, Dun, Chu Se, Gia Lai
Distance from the closest big city: Around 45km from Pleiku
How to get there: Hire a scooter or a private driver – there’s no public transport.
Entrance fee: $10,000 VND

Best Waterfalls in Southern Vietnam

14 of 19

1. Elephant Waterfall

A common day trip from Da Lat, Elephant Waterfall is one of the most popular waterfalls in Vietnam. Wide, fast and ferocious, it’s located in a beautiful area, surrounded by farmland, small valleys and a dramatic mountain pass.

Despite its popularity, Elephant Waterfall isn’t overdeveloped in the way that many other entries on this list are, so it’s still pretty natural, even if it’s not necessarily peaceful. It’s possible to get right under the falls, and there’s a cave behind the torrent, which offers the best view of the waterfall and its surroundings. Mossy, mountainous and wooded, Elephant Waterfall is one of the most attractive waterfalls in Vietnam.

Location: Gia Lam, Lam Ha District, Lam Dong
Distance from the closest big city: Around 30km from Da Lat
How to get there: Take a local bus from Da Lat to Nam Ban village (before walking from the village to the falls), or hire a scooter or a private car. You can also get a tour from Da Lat
Opening hours: 8am-5pm
Entrance fee: 20,000 VND ($1)

15 of 19

2. Pongour Waterfall

Also close to Da Lat is Pongour Waterfall. These falls trickle down several shelves of rock, rather than tumbling down in one thunderous torrent. It’s more pretty than powerful, but it’s one of the most popular waterfalls in the region, especially with Vietnamese visitors.

The best thing about these falls is how they’ve been made accessible in a tasteful and non-intrusive way. You’ll find nice paths and walkways here, along with a staircase and a dirt track, both of which take you to the top of the waterfall.

At around 100 meters in width, Pongour Waterfall is an imposing specimen, and when the flow is low, it’s possible to walk around the waterfall’s shelves.

Location: Pongour Falls, Thon Tan Nghia, Ninh Gia, Duc Trọng District, Lam Dong
Distance from the closest big city: Around 50km from Da Lat.
How to get there: Take a private car or ride a scooter from Da Lat. You can also arrange a tour in Da Lat, which will often take in both Pongour Waterfall and Elephant Waterfall, perfect for seeing two of the region’s best falls
Entrance fee: 20,000 VND ($1)

16 of 19

3. Dambri Waterfall

Another waterfall you’ll find close to Da Lat (yes, Da Lat is the best base in Vietnam for exploring waterfalls), Dambri Waterfall is one of the tallest in Vietnam, its water hurtling 70 meters down the sheer cliff face it tumbles from. After reaching a small pool at the bottom, the falls then separate into several smaller streams and mini cascades.

Dambri Waterfall is massively popular with families because of the endless development surrounding it, which includes a cable car, restaurants, pedalos, a roller coaster, a 7D interactive cinema (what does that even mean?) and much more. It’s ridiculously busy, but it’s a fun day out.

The drive to Dambri Waterfall is beautiful, passing through verdant valleys and coffee and tea plantations. The drive is a great way to get acquainted with the rural farmland which makes up most of Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

Location: Thon 14, Ly Thai To, Dambri, tp. Bao Loc, Lam Dong
Distance from the closest big city: 130km from Da Lat and 20km from Bao Loc
How to get there: It’s possible to drive or take a tour from Da Lat, but it’s best to stay in Bao Loc (a charming and hugely underrated city) and drive a scooter, ride a bicycle or hire a private car from Bao Loc
Opening hours: 6am-5pm
Entrance fee: 200,000 VND ($7)

17 of 19

4. Bao Dai Waterfall

This is the last ‘very close to Da Lat’ waterfall we’re featuring, I promise. It’s not my fault Da Lat is so good.

Lots of Da Lat’s waterfalls are crowded, but Bao Dai is pretty unpopular in comparison, despite its hefty proportions. If you’re looking for a quiet waterfall close to Da Lat, Bao Dai Waterfall is a good choice.

Named after Vietnam’s last emperor, these massive thundering falls tumble rapidly down sheer rock faces, making for some of the most intense, noisy and exciting falls in the whole of Vietnam. At around 70 meters high and 100 meters wide, they’re huge, imposing and exciting.

Location: Thac Bao Dai, Ta Hine, Duc Trọng, Lam Dong
Distance from the closest big city: Around 60km from Da Lat and 75km from Bao Loc
How to get there: From both Da Lat and Bao Loc, you can rent a scooter or a private car. From Da Lat, you can also arrange a tour – or you can take a public bus from Da Lat to Duc Trong before then hiring a driver to take you the rest of the way

18 of 19

5. Giang Dien Waterfall

Close to Ho Chi Minh City, Giang Dien Waterfall is an excellent day trip, making it a relatively popular getaway for people looking to escape HCMC’s buzz. It’s the only good waterfall near Ho Chi Minh City.

With wildflowers, hills, forests, valleys and a wide set of falls tumbling over lumpy shelves of pillowy rocks, it’s a completely different experience from the roaring streets of Ho Chi Minh City.

Made up of several falls, with loads of places to swim, hike and wander, Giang Dien Waterfall is excellent. Although it’s possible to swim here, you need to rent a lifejacket, a strangely safe precaution for a Southeast Asian waterfall.

Location: 104/4 Khu Cong Nghiep Giang Dien, Giang Dien, Trang Bom, Dong Nai
Distance from the closest big city: Around 50km from Ho Chi Minh City, and 20km from Bien Hoa
How to get there: Take the number 12 bus from HCMC, or make your own way with a scooter or a private driver from HCMC or Bien Hoa
Opening hours: 7:30am-5:30pm
Entrance fee: 40,000 VND ($2) for adults and 30,000 VND for kids ($1.50), though prices are sometimes a little higher at weekends and holidays

19 of 19

6. Suoi Tranh Waterfall

Phu Quoc is swiftly becoming one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam. An island which is actually closer to Cambodia than Vietnam, Phu Quoc is a haven of diving, coral, swimming, resorts, boat trips, beaches and other shoreline adventures.

The entirety of the small island is serene and peaceful, but Suoi Tranh Waterfall is even more peaceful than most other parts of Phu Quoc. Measuring in at a diminutive 4 meters in height, it’s small and humble, but it’s a great place to relax, nestled in a small pocket of caves, sparse jungles and rock pools.

It’s a peaceful place for relaxing, picnicking and escaping the more well-known parts of Phu Quoc.

Location: TL47, Duong Tơ, Phu Quoc, Tinh Kien Giang
Distance from the closest big city: Around 10km from Duong Dong
How to get there: Ride a scooter or get a private driver from Duong Dong (or anywhere else on Phu Quoc)
Entrance fee: 5,000 VND ($0.25)
Parking fee: 10,000 VND ($0.50)

Do Go Chasing Waterfalls

Thanks for reading our guide to the best waterfalls in Vietnam. If you’re really keen to explore the best waterfalls in Vietnam, visit either the far north or Da Lat, where you can visit lots of incredible waterfalls on various different day trips.

Just make sure that you go during the right season – some of these falls are surprisingly arid during the dry season, and others are dangerous or inaccessible during the rainy season.

Want to know anything else about Vietnam?

We’ve got endless travel guides and helpful articles on our site, including stuff on Vietnam’s best things to do, the best cities in Vietnam, and a comprehensive guide to The Ha Giang Loop. We even have useful practical guides on tipping, SIM cards, vaccines and much more.

Whatever you want to know about Vietnam, stay with us!

The 19 Most Magnificent Waterfalls in Vietnam