Vietnam Coracle

Dalat's Waterfalls

Dalat’s Waterfalls: A Guide

First Published May 2014 | Words and photos by Vietnam Coracle

This post was last updated 10 years ago. Please check the comments section for possible updates, or read more on my Updates & Accuracy page.

Dalat is located in Lâm Đồng Province, a mountainous, forested, farmed and famous area in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Once a favourite hunting ground for Vietnamese emperors and European colonials, today the big wild animals have all but gone, but some of the natural beauty of this region survives. Despite rapid urbanization and mass cultivation of cash crops, especially coffee and tea, Lâm Đồng Province still has some spectacular scenery to offer the visitor, not least its waterfalls. Most of the waterfalls in Dalat’s immediate vicinity are extremely popular, with both Vietnamese and foreign visitors. For this reason I have avoided them for many years, fearing the kind of kitsch theme park that these so-called ‘eco’ tourist sites often become in Vietnam. However, there are other waterfalls within reach of Dalat, dotted throughout Lâm Đồng Province, which see far fewer visitors. All of these falls are at their best during the rainy season (April to September), and many of them are free.

Having neglected these waterfalls for so long, I decided to visit twelve of them in four days, in order to compile this list and guide to the waterfalls of Dalat and the surrounding area. In general, I was extremely and pleasantly surprised by what I found: not only are many of the waterfalls truly spectacular, but some of them are empty of tourists, while others that were once tourist traps are now completely abandoned; staircases, ticket booths and kitsch concrete animals all left to rot, gradually being reclaimed by the jungle. However, the following rule still applies: the further from Dalat the waterfall, the better it is. Below is my list of Dalat’s waterfalls, in order of my own preference: click on an image from the slideshow or click on a name from the list to read more about each of the waterfalls. To find out where the waterfalls are located, take a look at my map. For a vicarious tour of the falls watch my video.

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GALLERY OF WATERFALLS

Click the name of a waterfall to read more about it:

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Selected Resources What’s this?

LIST OF WATERFALLS

Click the name of a waterfall to read more about it:

1. BAO DAI WATERFALL: 50km from Dalat; Admission: free [MAP]

2. BO BLA WATERFALL: 80km from Dalat; Admission: free [MAP]

3. TIGER WATERFALL: 15km from Dalat; Admission: 10,000VNĐ [MAP]

4. ELEPHANT WATERFALL: 30km from Dalat; Admission: free [MAP]

5. PONGOUR WATERFALL: 50km from Dalat; Admission: 10,000VNĐ [MAP]

6. DAMBRI WATERFALL: 130km from Dalat; Admission: 50,000VNĐ [MAP]

7. GOUGAH WATERFALL: 35km from Dalat; Admission: free [MAP]

8. LIEN KHUONG WATERFALL: 28km from Dalat; Admission: 5,000VNĐ [MAP]

9. DATANLA WATERFALL: 6km from Dalat; Admission: 10,000VNĐ [MAP]

10. PRENN WATERFALL: 16km from Dalat; Admission: 20,000VNĐ [MAP]

11. ANKROET WATERFALL: 17km from Dalat; Admission; free [MAP]

12. CAM LY WATERFALL: 2km from Dalat; Admission; 10,000VNĐ [MAP]

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MAP

My map with all twelve waterfalls marked on it:


View ‘Dalat’s Waterfalls’ in a LARGER MAP

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Posted in Dalat, Waterfalls & Springs, Central Highlands, Compilations, Mountains, The South, Destinations. Tagged best, central highlands, Dalat, guide, thác, travel, Vietnam, waterfalls
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Questions, updates and trip reports are all welcome. However, please keep comments polite and on-topic. See commenting etiquette for details.

  1. Akanksha says:
    June 21, 2023 at 1:15 AM

    Thanks Tom! Yes we will bear that in mind

  2. Akanksha says:
    June 20, 2023 at 12:13 AM

    Thanks for a great guide and read Tom! We are planning to do some of these over the next few days in Dalat. Wondering if you would know if there are places where we can hire a driver and car for a day, or do tours with?

    1. ➥ Tom says:
      June 20, 2023 at 10:09 AM

      Hi Akanksha,

      You should be able to arrange a car and driver fairly easily in Dalat – start by asking at your accommodation, they should be able to provide you with more information.

      Please bear in mind that my Dalat Waterfalls guide hasn’t been updated for some years, so I’m sure some things have changed.

      Best,

      Tom

  3. Sveta says:
    February 18, 2017 at 12:15 PM

    Hello Tom,

    thank you for such an informative overview of the waterfalls in Da Lat area!

    My boyfriend and me are going to cycle around the area on mountain bicycles.
    Do you think we could cycle to Tiger, Datanla, Prenn and Elephant waterfalls in one day? Are the roads too busy around the area?

    We are aware that is quite hilly there. However, we cycled around Phong Nha National Park and it was fine 🙂

    Thank you!

    1. ➥ Tom says:
      February 18, 2017 at 12:49 PM

      Hi Sveta,

      Yes, you could ride that in one (long) day 🙂 It is hilly, but I’m sure you can handle it after riding in Phong Nha 🙂

      The roads are fine, apart from the Prenn Pass which leads down from Dalat to Prenn Waterfall – it’s in good condition but it’s the main route to Dalat so it can get busy at certain times of the day, and many people drive irresponsibly by cutting corners etc So take care.

      I hope you enjoy it,

      Tom

      1. ➥ Sveta says:
        February 19, 2017 at 3:04 AM

        Thank you for your kind reply, Tom!

  4. Katie says:
    May 2, 2016 at 7:56 AM

    HI Tom,
    Im back with another question: do you know which waterfalls you’re allowed to swim in, if any?
    Another great read.
    Thanks,
    Katie

    1. ➥ Tom says:
      May 2, 2016 at 12:13 PM

      Hi Katie,

      Well, that’s a difficult question because in the past few months there’s been two incidences where tourists have died at the falls around Dalat. So I imagine the authorities are not keen that anyone swim in them at the moment. However, Bo Blah and Gougah are deserted so I’m sure you’d have no trouble swimming there. Tiger Falls is good for paddling too. The water is usually muddy but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s dirty.

      I hope this helps,

      Tom

      1. ➥ Katie says:
        May 3, 2016 at 4:49 AM

        Thanks Tom, that does help. We’ll be sure to be careful.

  5. Sam says:
    April 14, 2016 at 10:38 AM

    Awesome page mate, went to a couple of the waterfalls today, wouldn’t have found them without this, especially Lien khuong, pretty funny going through someones shop. Going to go find that dumpling noodle soup in Da Lat tonight.

    Cheers.

    1. ➥ Tom says:
      April 14, 2016 at 10:45 AM

      Thanks, Sam.

      Good to hear you ventured out to Lien Khuong Falls – yes, that’s an odd one 🙂

      Hope you find the dumpling place – I think I prefer it in the mornings to warm me up!

      Tom

  6. Josh Fayton says:
    March 10, 2016 at 1:30 PM

    Hi Tom,

    My girlfriend and I are heading to Dalat in a few days, we’ve almost finished the ocean road from Saigon. Can you recommend camping any good camping near any of the falls? We’ll probably stay in Dalat a few days, camp the falls then camp the northern pine forests like you did. Did you eat anything besides instant noodles when you camped? I can’t really think of anything to bring…

    Thanks,

    Josh

    1. ➥ Tom says:
      March 10, 2016 at 2:24 PM

      Hi Josh,

      I don’t know of any specific place to buy camping gear in Dalat, but I’m sure you can get it there – try asking at your hotel or guesthouse.

      Camping in the pine forests in great – I’ve written more about it here and here. Camping at Pongour Falls or Tiger Falls or Bao Dai Falls in good – just ask permission first at the entrance, but I can’t guarantee they’ll let you (almost certainly not if it’s a weekend)

      I usually try to make my instant noodles more interesting by cracking a couple of eggs in it and adding some canned meat – they sell it most places. Yum! 🙂

      If you’re looking for more camping opportunities check out the post I just published today here – great camping around the La Ngà River Valley.

      I hope this helps,

      Tom

  7. Ginny says:
    February 2, 2016 at 3:13 AM

    I’m planning a trip to da lat in may, but I have no idea how to get to the falls. Did you just rent a motorbike and for how much? Are there any alternatives on how to get to the falls?

    1. ➥ Tom says:
      February 2, 2016 at 3:20 AM

      Hi Ginny,

      Yes, you can rent a motorbike to get to the falls. Ask your hotel reception – a motorbike for the day should be around 150,000vnd ($7). You could also hire a car and driver to take you to the falls, but of course this will be more expensive.

      You could also arrange an Easy Rider (motorbike taxi/guide) to take you to the falls – again you can ask at your hotel for more information about this or try Googling ‘Easy Rider’ to get more of an idea about who they are and what they do.

      I hope this helps,

      Tom

  8. dan says:
    December 20, 2015 at 2:50 PM

    hi Tom
    I plan to visit Dalat around 20th Jan and want to visit 4 waterfalls you mentioned above :Bao Dai+ Dam Bri+Elepant +Pangour . Can you give some advice if I start from Dalat? Also, I am a little bit worried that there won’t be so much flow of these waterfalls.
    Thank you for your information.

    1. ➥ Tom says:
      December 21, 2015 at 4:37 AM

      Hi Dan,

      Yes, because January is the middle of the dry season there might not be
      much water flow at these waterfalls, but you never know for sure.

      To visit the four waterfalls you want to see, you will need to hire
      transport. You can either rent a motorbike, a taxi, or a car and driver
      through your hotel. Remember that DamBri is more than 100km from Dalat, so
      you might be better staying in Bao Loc for the night when you visit Dambri.
      From Bao Loc to Dalat there are regular buses every day.

      I hope this helps,

      Tom

  9. Wallace P. says:
    November 20, 2015 at 8:12 AM

    I am amazed by your blog entries on the waterfalls in Da Lat! Informative and looks really good! I wish I can explore all 12 like you! I will be going to Da Lat sometime early December and I am planning to visit one of the waterfalls. Any waterfalls there do you recommend for rafting? I personally like Pongour Fall a lot! But I wonder will there be any water sports there?

    1. ➥ Tom says:
      November 22, 2015 at 7:14 AM

      Hi Wallace,

      December is the dry season so be prepared for reduced flow at the waterfalls at that time of year. Pongour is pretty popular with domestic tourists, so there may be some kind of watersports, especially on weekends. However, you’re probably better off arranging a rafting trip from an outdoor sports company in Dalat. Check your guide book for some suggestion of good companies. Cayoning is also quite popular too.

      Tom

  10. Bessie Leong says:
    October 13, 2015 at 3:24 PM

    Hi, your website is great! I was wondering if you know if November is a good time to go visit?

    1. ➥ Tom says:
      October 14, 2015 at 2:13 AM

      Hi Bessie,

      Thanks! Are you asking if November is a good time to visit the waterfalls in Dalat? Or if it is a good time to visit Vietnam in general?

      November is the end of the rainy season in the south, so visiting Dalat’s waterfalls should be good at that time. For the rest of the country, November is a transitional month between seasons – check out my guide to Vietnam’s weather here.

      Tom

  11. An says:
    June 29, 2015 at 11:01 AM

    Hi Tom,
    so I went to Elephant waterfall today. The admission fee is 10000 VND so it’s not free.
    It’s amazing! and the coffee at Reng Reng cafe is very good as you recommended. Thanks again! 🙂
    An.

    1. ➥ Tom says:
      June 29, 2015 at 5:39 PM

      Oh, no. Well, it was free when I went there – I guess I got special ‘foreigner price’ 🙂
      Tom

  12. Mat says:
    December 11, 2014 at 1:49 PM

    Will be in this area soon for filming the falls. Is there a certain time of the year that the water is browner? I am guessing February it driest so perhaps less water and less chance of it being brown?

    1. ➥ Tom says:
      December 12, 2014 at 9:17 AM

      Hi Mat,
      Yes, You’re right, February is the driest time to visit, so perhaps there won’t be so much flow, but the waterfalls should still be worth a visit (there always seems to rain around somewhere in the highlands that will feed the falls).
      Tom