Bao Dai Waterfall — a powerful, forgotten cascade in the Dalat highlands
Bao Dai Waterfall sits at the end of a narrow jungle trail in the Ta Hine area, roughly 60 kilometers south of Dalat. It is one of the tallest and most forceful waterfalls in the region, dropping down a sheer volcanic rock face and splitting into three streams before crashing into a wide rocky base. The roar carries far — some sources claim you can hear it from 3 kilometers out, which is an exaggeration, but the sound does build long before the waterfall comes into view.
The height is disputed. Older sources list it at 70 meters or even over 100 meters. Visitors who have been there recently put it closer to 20 meters. The truth is likely somewhere in between — the waterfall is undeniably large and visually impressive, but the higher figures appear to be overstated. What is not in dispute is the width and the force of the water, which is substantial even in the dry season.
The setting adds to the experience. Dense jungle closes in on both sides of the trail, roots and vines cover the rock walls, and the air gets noticeably cooler and more humid as you approach. At the base, large boulders spread across the ground, and in the wet season white foam fills the pool. Orchids grow on the tree trunks between January and mid-summer. It is a genuinely wild place — and since the site has been unmanaged since around 2022, it has grown wilder still.
History and name
The waterfall’s original name is Jraiblian, from the Churu language, meaning “high rock waterfall.” The Churu are one of the ethnic minority groups native to this part of the central highlands, and the name reflects both the height and the dramatic rock formation the water falls over.
The current name comes from Bao Dai, the last emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, who ruled Vietnam until his abdication in 1945. During the 1950s, Bao Dai used Dalat as a base — the city was a favored retreat of the royal court — and he is said to have passed through this area on hunting trips into the highland forests. The waterfall was renamed in his honor at some point during that period.
There is also a local legend tied to the site. It tells of a fisherman who ate a mysterious egg he found beside the stream, transformed into a giant crocodile, and whose presence caused the water to overflow and the waterfall to form. The story is why the rock formations at the base were historically described as resembling piled bones. It is the kind of origin myth common to waterfalls across the central highlands — worth knowing, not worth dwelling on.
How to get to Bao Dai Waterfall
Where is Bao Dai Waterfall?
Bao Dai Waterfall is located in the Ta Hine area, about 60 kilometers south of Dalat. The drive takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours each way depending on road conditions and how many stops you make. It is not a quick detour — getting there and back is a commitment, which is worth factoring into your planning before you go.
The route follows National Highway 20 south out of Dalat, past Prenn Pass and through Duc Trong, before turning off toward the Dai Ninh hydroelectric dam area. The final stretch to the waterfall is signposted. Road works have been ongoing along parts of this route, but conditions have been improving and the road is generally passable.
Getting there
By motorbike is the most popular option for independent travelers and works well if you are comfortable on a bike and confident navigating longer rides. The journey is not particularly scenic for most of the route, but it gives you the flexibility to stop wherever you like along the way. Budget a full day if you plan to combine it with other stops.
By rented car with driver is the better choice for those who want comfort, or for small groups splitting the cost. A private car with driver is significantly cheaper than a Grab or metered taxi for a trip this distance, and the driver can wait at the site while you explore. It also makes it easier to add multiple destinations to the same day without worrying about timing or fuel.
With a Dalat Easy Rider is a solid option if you prefer a guided motorbike experience. Easy Riders are experienced local guides who know the back roads well, and a destination like Bao Dai Waterfall — off the main tourist circuit — suits their style of travel. It is a good fit if you want local context along the way without having to navigate yourself.
What to expect when visiting Bao Dai Waterfall
The entrance
The site has been abandoned since around 2022. There is no staff, no ticket booth, and no one managing the grounds. The main gate is closed, but access is straightforward — there is a side gate large enough to walk through, and in some cases a phone number is posted on the main gate that you can call to have someone come and open it. Do not let the closed gate turn you around.
Past the entrance, the path opens into what was once a landscaped garden area with wooden rest structures, a small restaurant building, and ornamental planting. It is all overgrown now, but the bones of a well-designed site are still visible.
The trail
Stone steps and pathways lead down through the rock toward the waterfall, with railings in places and flat rest areas cut into the cliff face. Everything is covered in moss, dry leaves, and creeping vegetation — maintained just enough by occasional visitors to remain passable, but clearly no longer looked after.
The walk from the entrance to the waterfall takes around 10 to 30 minutes depending on how far down you go. The path narrows as it descends, passing between steep rock walls with vines and roots hanging overhead. At one point the trail squeezes through a tight corridor between two cliffs — one of the more memorable parts of the approach. Further down, tree roots function as natural handrails where the stone steps get steep.
At the fork in the path, take the right side. The left trail is completely overgrown and not worth attempting.
The steps are slippery. This is the single most important thing to know before descending. Wet moss on stone is genuinely treacherous, and there are no safety measures in place. Take it slow, use the railings where they exist, and wear shoes with grip. After rain, some sections become significantly more difficult.
A few visitors have spotted snakes on the trail. Species unknown. It is not a reason to avoid the waterfall, but it is a reason to watch where you put your hands and feet, especially when stepping over rocks or pushing vegetation aside.
The waterfall
The waterfall itself is the reward for all of it. It is loud, powerful, and completely unobstructed. The water drops over a wide wall of dark volcanic rock, splits into multiple streams, and hits a broad rocky base with enough force to throw mist across the surrounding area. On most weekday visits, you will have it entirely to yourself. That combination — a waterfall of this scale, with no crowd, no entrance fee, and no infrastructure between you and it — is increasingly rare around Dalat.
Nearby stops to combine
Bao Dai Waterfall is far enough from Dalat that a dedicated round trip feels like a lot of road for a single stop. The smarter approach is to build it into a longer day ride or fit it between two destinations. There is enough in the general area — and along the routes leading to it — to fill a full day comfortably.
Pongour Falls is the most logical pairing. It sits roughly 35 minutes from Bao Dai Waterfall and is one of the wider and more dramatic waterfalls in the Dalat region. It is more developed and more visited than Bao Dai, but the two complement each other well as a contrast — one polished and accessible, the other raw and abandoned.
Ta Nung Pass route is worth considering if you are flexible on how you get there. Taking the Ta Nung Pass out of Dalat adds time to the journey but passes a string of stops — pagodas, smaller waterfalls, tea and coffee plantations — that make the ride itself worthwhile. The faster QL20 road works well for the return leg. The full round trip with stops along the way makes for a genuine full-day ride.
See our guide on the Ta Nung Pass for the full overview of what to stop at along the route.
En route to Bao Loc or Mui Ne — if you are already traveling south from Dalat, Bao Dai Waterfall sits close enough to the route that it works as a natural stop rather than a detour. It fits particularly well as a midpoint break on what would otherwise be a long stretch of highway.
Practical information
Entrance and access
Bao Dai Waterfall is free to enter. The site has been abandoned since around 2022 and there is no fee, no ticket booth, and no staff on site. The main gate is closed but a side gate is accessible, or a phone number on the main gate can be called to have someone come and open it.
The trail
Sturdy footwear with grip is essential. The stone steps are moss-covered and slippery even in dry conditions — after rain they become considerably more difficult. There are no safety measures, no signage, and no one to assist if something goes wrong. The trail is short but requires care.
How long to spend
An hour on site is enough for most visitors. The walk from the entrance to the waterfall and back takes 20 to 30 minutes at a relaxed pace, leaving time to sit at the base and take in the surroundings before heading back up.
Facilities
None. The old restaurant building and rest structures are still standing but abandoned and not in use. Bring your own water and food. There are no functioning toilets on site.
What to bring
Water, snacks, and cash for the road. Wear closed shoes with a grippy sole — sandals are not suitable for the trail. If visiting in or after the rainy season, light waterproof layers are worth having given the mist from the waterfall and the general humidity of the site.
Is Bao Dai Waterfall worth visiting?
Yes — but with conditions.
The waterfall itself is genuinely impressive. It is powerful, photogenic, and almost always empty. For a region that has seen most of its natural attractions become increasingly crowded and commercialized, finding a waterfall of this scale with no entrance fee, no tour groups, and nothing between you and the water is unusual. The abandoned site actually adds something — the overgrown steps, the moss-covered railings, the silence — rather than taking away from the experience.
The honest downside is the distance. Sixty kilometers each way on Vietnamese roads, with a portion under ongoing repair, is a real time and energy commitment. If you make it a standalone day trip from Dalat purely to see this waterfall, you may come back feeling the ride was longer than the payoff justified.
The solution is simple: do not go just for this. Combine it with Pongour Falls, take the Ta Nung Pass on the way out, or fit it into a journey south toward Bao Loc or Mui Ne. In that context, Bao Dai Waterfall stops feeling like an effort and starts feeling like one of the better discoveries of the trip.
For travelers who enjoy off-the-beaten-path experiences and do not need polished infrastructure to have a good time, it is well worth the stop. For those who prefer comfort and easy access, the waterfalls closer to Dalat will serve them better.
For more waterfall stops around Dalat, read our guide on the best waterfalls in Dalat.
