3 Waterfalls You Should Check Out in Dalat, Vietnam

As a self-proclaimed waterfall enthusiast, I’m always searching for new cascades to explore. During my trip to Vietnam, I knew Dalat, renowned for its stunning waterfalls, had to be on my itinerary. While some travelers skip Dalat due to its location, the 8-hour bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City is well worth it. Those who make the journey are rewarded with crisp mountain air and breathtaking scenery. Located in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Dalat enjoys a cool climate. During my visit, the waterfalls were blissfully uncrowded, allowing for a truly immersive experience. With around twelve waterfalls in the area, choosing can be tricky. If you have limited time, I highly recommend these three, all of which can be explored in a day and a half.

Also read: 12 of the Most Awe-Inspiring Waterfalls Around the World

1. Pongour Waterfall

Image credit: Quang Vũ Trương

Let’s start with the most impressive and easiest to get to: Pongour Waterfall. It’s probably the most famous in the area, and there are wide gravel pathways and steps to make your walk to the valley more friendly.

The water cascading down rocks make for a great view, most suitable for a picnic during midday. You can climb onto the fall itself for some amazing photos, though there are signs warning you not to. It does get slippery on the rocks, so step with care.

Getting there

Pongour Waterfall is about 50km from Dalat town. To get to Pongour from Dalat, take Highway 20 past Liên Nghĩa until you see the falls signposted to the right. Take this paved rural road for 10 minutes until you reach the entrance. Entrance fee is 10,000VND.

2. Elephant Waterfall

I like this waterfall the most in Dalat, because it took a somewhat adventurous hike to view waterfalls. There are two sections you can get to for Elephant Waterfall. One is the bottom of it, where you can experience the power of the water crashing at the base. Note: You will get all wet standing next to it. Next, you can continue the trek gingerly up to have the view of the drop of the waterfall, with its thick face and roaring volume revealing mother nature’s power.

Be extremely careful and watch your footing, as the spray from the falls makes the rocks damp and slippery.

Getting there

Elephant Waterfall is about 30km southwest of Dalat. Take Hoàng Văn Thụ Street west from the city centre and turn left at the signpost for Tà Nung village. At Nam Ban village (a few kilometres beyond Tà Nung) there’s a sign on the right to the falls, just before crossing a bridge over a river. The journey takes about an hour one way. Admission is free.

3. Tiger Waterfall

This is the closest waterfall to Dalat among the three, but when you get there, you will feel like you’re in a very remote area. There’s a very rocky and windy path to drive or ride down to, but once you arrive at the entrance, it’s only a 10 minute walk to view the waterfall.

The cascade of white water is much gentler here and therefore offers a very peaceful respite.

Also read: Guide to Da Lat : A 3D2N Itinerary

Getting there

Tiger Waterfall is around 15km from Dalat. To reach the falls take Highway 20 east of Dalat towards Trại Mát. Take a left after about 10km (not signposted) and follow the lane into the pine forests until it comes to an end at Tiger falls. Admission is 10,000VND.

Transportation

You can hire your own motorcycle or go with one of the motorcycle taxi companies like Easy Rider. Either way, you get to enjoy a spectacular view enroute to these waterfalls. If you decide to go on your own, do ask someone at your accommodation to write down the names of these waterfalls for you in Vietnamese, and know the general directions in advance.

What I did was to search for it on Google Maps first when I had internet connection and make sure the map is loaded from the start of your journey till the end. Then when I’m on the way, even without internet connection, Google Maps is still able to track where I am and I just follow the blue line on the map to ensure I’m on track.  Checking out Tiger Waterfalls was a last-minute decision for me. Since I didn’t have it mapped, it took quite a bit of stopping and gesticulating with locals before I managed to find that waterfall.

Part of the fun in Dalat is finding a little-known and deserted waterfall, so go forth and explore, my friends!