Vietnam’s 10 Most Breathtaking Waterfalls

Vietnam is not only celebrated for its alluring coastline but is also home to an astonishing array of breathtaking waterfalls. From North to South, enchanting cascades await around every corner, each offering a pristine, untouched natural beauty that is simply irresistible. If you have yet to witness one of Vietnam’s majestic falls, you are truly missing out. With so many magnificent options, planning your itinerary can feel overwhelming if you are pressed for time. Read on to discover our curated list of the top 10 most breathtaking waterfalls in Vietnam!

1. Ban Gioc Waterfall – Cao Bang

• Best time to visit: While accessible year-round, September and October offer the ultimate experience, featuring golden rice terrace landscapes and minimal rainfall.
• Address: Ban Gioc Waterfall, TL 211, Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam.
• Entrance fee: 45,000 VND – payable at the ticket counter near Ban Gioc Waterfall.
• Note: Please remember to bring your passport when purchasing tickets.

2. Mu Waterfall – Hoa Binh

Another northern gem that luxury travelers should not miss is Mu Waterfall. Located just 140 km from Hanoi, this stunning cascade is tucked away amidst untouched wilderness and dense forest canopies. Long before the falls come into view, the soothing symphony of rushing water echoes through the air. Descending the stone steps, Mu Waterfall reveals itself like a graceful maiden, sending pristine white sheets of water cascading down a series of natural stone terraces.

• Highlights: Perched at an altitude of over 1,000 meters above sea level at the foothills of the majestic Truong Son mountain range, the waterfall enchants visitors with its crystal-clear water and cool, moss-covered boulders arranged in natural tiers. At the base lies a refreshing natural pool ideal for a revitalizing swim. The 100-meter drop has been sculpted by centuries of flowing water. The surrounding dense jungle trails, stretching from the lower streams to the source, offer an enchanting retreat. Although the access road is narrow and somewhat rugged with uneven stones, the breathtaking reward at Mu Waterfall makes every step worthwhile.
• Best time to visit: The region experiences two distinct seasons: the dry season and the clear season. While May to September is ideal for witnessing the falls at their fullest, many international travelers prefer the dry season from October to April.
• Address: Mu Waterfall, Mu Village, Tu Do, Lac Son, Hoa Binh Province, Vietnam.
• Entrance fee: Free

3. Tac Tinh Waterfall, Lai Chau

Nestled in Tam Duong, Lai Chau, Tac Tinh emerges as a serene sanctuary for absolute relaxation. Also affectionately known as “Love Waterfall,” Tac Tinh is widely considered one of the most romantic and captivating highlights in northwestern Vietnam. Tamed by towering, majestic mountains within a lush, verdant valley inhabited by the Dao ethnic minority, the waterfall’s pristine and untouched beauty transports visitors to a bygone era.

• Highlights: Originating from the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, the 130-meter-high Tac Tinh Waterfall plunges dramatically into a 100-square-meter emerald pool at its base. The overflowing water continues onward as a crystal-clear stream meandering down the valley, serving as the lifeblood for local agriculture and daily life. Climbing to higher vantage points offers the most magnificent panoramic views of the falls. On sunny days, visitors may even catch a glimpse of a vibrant rainbow dancing across the misty pool. Centuries of flowing water have polished the surrounding rock faces to a mirror-like smoothness. Beyond its visual splendor, Tac Tinh is steeped in a poignant local love story. Legend tells of a young couple who shared blissful moments beneath the waterfall: Lo Lan, a maiden whose beauty rivaled the most delicate orchid, fell deeply in love with a local Dao youth. Despite facing severe opposition and hardships, to protect their eternal vow of love, the couple ultimately chose to leap together into the falls. In their honor, locals named it Love Waterfall, weaving everlasting wishes for true romance into its very waters.
• Best time to visit: Tac Tinh possesses a versatile charm throughout all seasons. The dry season (October to April) showcases the waterfall as a graceful maiden with gentle, cascading flows and translucent turquoise waters. Conversely, during the rainy season (May to September), Tac Tinh transforms into a powerful, majestic force with robust currents and echoing roars. Choose your visiting time based on your personal travel preferences.
• Address: Tac Tinh Waterfall, Tam Duong Town, Tam Duong District, Lai Chau Province, Vietnam.

4. May Waterfall, Thanh Hoa

• Highlights: May Waterfall, translating to “Cloud Waterfall,” is revered as a rare natural jewel of unparalleled beauty. Visitors are invariably awestruck by the mesmerizing landscape, greeted by a breathtaking staircase of nine vibrant cascading tiers. While the ascent to the summit takes about an hour, the reward is extraordinary: pristine white cataracts, soothing ambient sounds of rushing water, and crystal-clear pools stretching as far as the eye can see. Best of all, May Waterfall remains blissfully off the mainstream international tourist radar, preserving its pristine authenticity. Located a scenic three-hour drive from Hanoi, it easily justifies the journey. Despite rugged road conditions, adventurous travelers flock here to witness its untouched splendor.
• Best time to visit: August onwards marks the most ideal period to witness this majestic waterfall in all its glory.
• Address: May Waterfall, Thach Lam, Thach Thanh District, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.

5. Yang Bay Waterfall, Khanh Hoa

• Highlights: The site encompasses three distinct waterfalls: Yang Bay, Yang Khang, and Hocho. However, Yang Bay reigns as the primary attraction, featuring two sections—Yang Bay 1 and Yang Bay 2—boasting a combined height of 80 meters and a length of 2,000 meters. Yang Bay 1 features two smaller pools alongside a spacious main basin. From a distance, roaring white waters plunge into the azure depths, framed by dense, primeval jungle. Although integrated into an eco-tourism park, Yang Bay fiercely preserves its wild, untamed essence. Tucked away within this sanctuary, visitors can admire not only the cascading falls but also romantic jungle vistas, vibrant tropical butterflies, rustic wooden bridges, wild orchids, cherry blossoms, and manicured orchards. A 100-meter-wide lake offers charming boat rides for leisurely exploration. Guests can also discover nearby natural caves, which served as historical sanctuaries for revolutionary soldiers during wartime. In the local ethnic dialect, Yang Bay translates to “Heavenly Waterfall,” believed by locals to be where deities descended to earth to inaugurate the first spring. Numerous flat boulder surfaces resemble giant chess boards, fueling legends of celestial beings playing games amidst the mist. Thanks to its elevated mountain setting, the climate remains wonderfully cool year-round, making it an idyllic retreat for nature lovers seeking fresh air and picturesque landscapes.
• Best time to visit: October to April (weekdays are recommended to avoid crowds and noise).
• Entrance fee: Ranging from 120,000 VND to 300,000 VND depending on your chosen service package.
• Address: Yang Bay Waterfall, Khanh Phu, Khanh Vinh District, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.

6. Suoi Tranh Waterfall, Kien Giang

• Highlights: Spanning 15 km, Suoi Tranh Waterfall reaches a total height of 4 meters, featuring multiple gentle drops, boulder formations, and inviting shallow pools. Fed by mountain springs originating from Ham Ninh mountain, it creates a picturesque oasis nestled amidst lush greenery. Suoi Tranh is actually a harmonious collection of smaller cascading streams that remain completely untouched by heavy commercial development. One of its greatest charms is the profound tranquility of the surroundings. Visitors are routinely mesmerized by the ethereal play of sunlight filtering through the dense canopy during summer, casting sparkling reflections across the water that evoke a genuine fairy-tale ambiance. Suoi Tranh is also a favored spot for downstream camping and picnics, swimming in upper stream pools, jungle trekking to observe local flora and fauna, and exploring nearby geological wonders such as Bat Cave. It is the ultimate haven for travelers seeking unspoiled greenery and profound peace. There are few experiences more relaxing than listening to birdsong and the gentle murmur of water over mossy rocks.
• Best time to visit: May to September.
• Entrance fee: 10,000 VND per adult; 5,000 VND per child.
• Parking fee: 10,000 VND for cars; 2,000 VND for motorbikes.
• Address: Suoi Tranh Waterfall, Suoi May, Duong May, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam.

7. Pongour Waterfall, Lam Dong

No compilation of Vietnam’s finest waterfalls would be complete without Pongour Waterfall, widely regarded as one of Lam Dong Province’s most extraordinary attractions. Situated in a secluded, pristine valley 45 km southwest of Da Lat, Pongour stuns visitors with its majestic, untouched grandeur.

• Highlights: Pongour possesses a uniquely surreal beauty defined by massive, multi-tiered stone terraces, cascading staircases of water, cicada-filled canopies, and lush greenery. The falls consist of natural terraced ledges that adventurous travelers can traverse to explore beneath and behind the roaring curtain of water. Rushing over a 100-meter-wide, 40-meter-high expanse, the torrent plunges powerfully into a calm pool below. A pedestrian bridge crossing the stream provides magnificent vantage points from across the river. Local legend links Pongour to the harmony between humanity and nature. Story has it that Kanai, a revered female chieftain of the K’Ho tribe spanning modern-day Phu Hoi, Tan Hoi, and Tan Thanh communes, possessed a supernatural gift for taming wild beasts—most notably four massive rhinoceroses. These creatures aided her in protecting her people and transforming barren lands into fertile fields. Tragically, Kanai passed away on the full moon of spring. Grieving profoundly, her four loyal rhinos refused all nourishment until they perished by her side. Sometime later, locals discovered that the site of their passing had transformed into this magnificent waterfall, with Kanai’s hair said to become the flowing water and the rhinos’ horns turning to stone. Thankfully, Pongour remains much less commercialized than other Lam Dong waterfalls, maintaining remarkably clean surroundings and offering an unadulterated wilderness experience.
• Best time to visit: October through April. To fully savor the peaceful atmosphere and avoid peak afternoon picnic crowds, morning visits are highly recommended.
• Entrance fee: 10,000 VND
• Address: Pongour Waterfall, Tan Nghia, Ninh Gia, Duc Trong District, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam.

8. Dambri Waterfall, Lam Dong

• Highlights: Despite being a well-established eco-tourism destination, Dambri retains an awe-inspiring, thunderous majesty. Approaching the falls involves a scenic trek beneath boundless skies. Three distinct ways to conquer the cascade are available: climbing 138 stone steps, taking a panoramic elevator, or experiencing the thrilling alpine coaster. Pausing amidst the serene nature to listen to the roaring waters cascade over rugged boulders into a vast basin before plunging into the misty valley below is deeply therapeutic. Dambri is at its photogenic peak on sunny mornings when rising mist interacts with sunlight to produce vibrant, dancing rainbows against the backdrop of ancient conifers and giant tropical foliage. The name “Dambri” originates from a legendary K’Ho love story of forbidden romance between a brave youth named Kdam and a maiden named Bri. Separated by tribal conflicts, Kdam retreated into the depths of the forest, while Bri embarked on an endless quest to find him. Waiting in vain until her final days, her endless tears and sorrow were said to have birthed the cascading waterfall, with “Dambri” translating to “waiting” in the K’Ho language. Moved by their devotion, the rival tribes eventually reconciled, establishing a legacy of enduring love. Today, travelers flock to the Central Highlands year-round to witness Dambri’s magnificent spectacle.

• Best time to visit: Year-round, though visiting on weekdays ensures a more tranquil encounter with nature.
• Entrance fee: 50,000 VND per person—slightly higher than other regional falls, but well worth the extraordinary experience.

9. Dray Nur Waterfall, Dak Lak

Nestled in the heart of the Central Highlands, Dak Lak Province is a sanctuary where pristine natural beauty is fiercely preserved. Renowned for its ethnic minority heritage, coffee plantations, rugged mountains, and national parks, Dak Lak is equally celebrated for its spectacular waterfalls. Among these, Dray Nur stands out as a crown jewel.

• Highlights: Situated in Kuop Village about 25 km south of Buon Ma Thuot city, Dray Nur is the largest of the three majestic waterfalls along the Serepok River, spanning 250 meters in length and dropping 30 meters. Outshining its neighbors—Dray Sap and Gia Long—Dray Nur delivers a jaw-dropping panoramic spectacle. Visitors are invariably mesmerized by snow-white torrents plunging with avalanche-like fury from sheer cliffs into an emerald-blue basin. Due to powerful currents during the rainy season, swimming is strictly prohibited for safety. Dray Nur is also steeped in romantic folklore: legend tells of an Ede maiden and her beau whose peaceful moments by the river were disrupted by a mythical water monster that abducted the young woman. The nearby rock formations and roaring columns are said to mark the site of this legendary event. Furthermore, local Ede tradition refers to Dray Sap and Dray Nur as the “Husband and Wife Waterfalls,” symbolizing the eternal romance between the Krông Nô (Male River) and Krông Ana (Female River)—with “Nur” translating to “Female” in the local dialect. The adventurous journey through rugged terrain to reach Dray Nur only enhances the rewarding discovery.
• Entrance fee: 30,000 – 40,000 VND per person.
• Best time to visit: October through April.
• Address: Dray Nur Waterfall, Ea Na, Krong Ana District, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam.
• Tips: Early mornings between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM offer the ideal lighting for photography without harsh glare. Weekends tend to draw large picnic groups, so visiting midweek is recommended for tranquility seekers.

10. Thuy Tien Waterfall, Dak Lak

Another extraordinary natural wonder in Dak Lak Province is Thuy Tien Waterfall. Tucked away deep within untouched mountain forests, Thuy Tien lies 56 km northeast of Buon Ma Thuot. The journey to the falls winds through picturesque mountain passes flanked by lush green coffee and rubber plantations. Descending into a verdant valley, the soothing murmur of rushing water signals your arrival. Ascending a flight of over 100 stone steps reveals the mesmerizing splendor of Thuy Tien.

• Highlights: Often referred to as the “Three-Tier Waterfall,” Thuy Tien is structured across three distinct levels. The first tier features a gentle, low slope where narrow streams meander softly beneath verdant foliage, framed by hanging tree roots resembling natural swings. The second tier broadens into expansive, shallow natural pools ideal for a refreshing wade, with cascading waters bursting into foam like white blossoms under the golden sun. The third tier delivers a dramatic finale, where water plunges vertically into a deep basin at the base. Surrounded by uniquely shaped boulders and lush primordial jungle, Thuy Tien evokes the enchanting imagery of a forest fairy. It is an idyllic escape from the stifling heat of urban life, offering pristine mountain air, birdsong, and soul-stirring scenery for every nature enthusiast.
• Best time to visit: The dry season from November to April.
• Entrance fee: 25,000 VND per adult; 10,000 VND per child.
  Address: Thuy Tien Waterfall, Ea Puk, Ea Kar, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam