Visitors explore waterfalls in southeastern Lam Dong

Since June, thousands of visitors have travelled to Tra Tan Commune to explore Burmese grape orchards, as well as durian and mangosteen orchards in La Da. Other popular destinations include Thac Ba Waterfall in Tanh Linh Commune, the La Nga River in Dong Kho Commune, and Thac Truot waterslide and Buffalo Head (Dau Trau) waterfalls in Nghi Duc Commune. The combination of mountains, rivers, lakes and cascading waterfalls offers visitors a scenic yet unspoilt natural experience.

Nguyen Thi Huong from Ham Thang Ward recently took a group of 40 relatives to Thac Ba, Thac Truot and the La Nga River. “My relatives from Ho Chi Minh City came to Phan Thiet for a summer holiday with their children before the new school year. Even with a 15-day trip, there wasn't enough time to visit everywhere we wanted,” Huong said.

“After enjoying seafood and the beaches in Phuoc Hoi and La Gi, we heard about Thac Ba Waterfall and camping spots overlooking the La Nga River. Then we discovered that Nghi Duc also has Thac Truot and Dau Trau waterfalls, along with local specialities such as featherback fish, free-range chicken and mountain goat. Everyone immediately wanted to go.”

Thac Truot is a natural waterslide where water flows over a smooth, gently sloping rock surface into a cool pool below. The formation allows groups of around five to seven people to slide down together, making it a popular experience for families seeking something different in nature.

The surrounding forest provides shade and fresh air, while nearby hills are dotted with durian, avocado and burmese grape orchards. Visitors can also camp overnight and enjoy dinner with local residents amid the fruit gardens, combining outdoor adventure with a taste of rural life.

Phan Nhat Hung, Vice Chairman of the Nghi Duc Commune People's Committee, said Thac Truot remains largely unspoilt and is attracting a growing number of visitors.

“Thac Truot is beautiful and largely untouched, and many visitors are coming here for the experience. However, most tourism activities are still spontaneous and safety conditions are not yet fully ensured,” Hung said.

“To reduce risks, the commune has installed warning signs and advised people to avoid the area during heavy rain. We hope businesses will invest and work with the locality to develop tourism at Thac Truot.”

Meanwhile, Thac Ba Waterfall in Tanh Linh lies hidden amid lush mountains and forests, where birdsong echoes through the surrounding landscape. The waterfall is also associated with a local legend that adds to its appeal.

According to the tale, a woman waited faithfully for her husband after he left to fight in defence of the country. She waited so long that her hair turned white. Her enduring devotion is said to be embodied in Thac Ba, whose flowing waters symbolise her endless wait for her husband's return.

This weekend, hundreds of visitors have booked trips to La Da for a festival showcasing OCOP products and distinctive local agricultural produce. Many have dubbed it a fruit festival, as the event features local specialities including durian, mangosteen, macadamia nuts, burmese grapes, avocados, bananas and jackfruit.

According to Minh, who provided the venue for the commune to hold the festival on August 8 - 9, bookings for trips to La Da were comparable to those seen during major public holidays and Tet. Many visitors had placed advance orders for local products such as durian, mangosteen, la bep and black pork, while tour groups also booked overnight stays to fully experience the festival.

The combination of natural water attractions, orchards and local festivals is creating new experiences for visitors to southeastern Lam Dong.