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📍 waterfall · nature · forest

Pa Sy Waterfall

Pa Sy Waterfall is a remote multi-tier cascade deep in the primary forest of Đắk Glei district, Kon Tum - one of the least-visited waterfalls in the Central Highlands, reached by a trail through jungle inhabited by local Jẻ-Triêng minority communities.

💧 Remote Waterfall🌿 Primary Forest🥾 Off the Beaten Path📸 Photography
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Overview

Best Time to Visit
📅 Oct - Dec (end of rainy season when water flow is at maximum; dry season Jan - Aug reduces flow significantly)
Entry Fee
🎟️ Free
Opening Hours
🕐 Open daily
Address
📌 Đắk Choong, Đắk Glei, Kon Tum

Things to Know

👥Crowds
Peak crowds during lunchtime on weekdays and weekends with queues on stairs. Visit early morning or late afternoon for fewer visitors. Mid-September and weekdays recommended.
🥾Difficulty
Moderate. Many steep steps required to descend to waterfall base. Tiring for those with limited fitness, though elderly visitors do manage it.
⚠️Safety
Road conditions poor with potholes and slipperiness when wet. Falling debris risk from landslides on adventurous trail. Wooden structures and bridges require careful footing. One report of rude staff behavior.
🚶Accessibility
Stairs descent may be challenging for those with mobility issues. Motorbike riding option available as alternative to walking down.
🌤️Seasonal
Water too cold for swimming in cooler months. July very crowded. November-December heavy rains caused closure in past. Best visited mid-September through early December for weather.
ABOUT THIS PLACE

What Makes Pa Sy Waterfall Special

Pa Sy Waterfall drops through primary forest in Đắk Glei district, the northernmost and most remote district of Kon Tum province, close to the border with Laos. The waterfall sits within a forest landscape that remains among the least disturbed in the Central Highlands - Đắk Glei's distance from provincial centres and the absence of significant agricultural conversion have preserved jungle cover that has disappeared from more accessible parts of the region. The surrounding area is home to the Jẻ-Triêng ethnic minority, one of the smaller highland groups with a distinct language and material culture. Pa Sy is genuinely off the domestic tourist circuit - the infrastructure is minimal, the trail requires local guidance, and the visitor numbers are low enough that the site sees no erosion from tourism pressure.

How to Get There

🚗 Getting There

Pa Sy Waterfall is located in Đắk Choong commune, Đắk Glei district, approximately 130km north of Kon Tum city. By motorbike from Kon Tum, follow Highway 14 north - the journey takes 3-4 hours on roads that are generally paved but include rough sections in the northern district. Đắk Glei town serves as the base for the area; the waterfall trail starts from Đắk Choong village, about 20km further from the district town. Local guides can be arranged through the commune authorities in Đắk Choong or through guesthouses in Đắk Glei town. The trail to the waterfall takes 1.5-2 hours on foot through forest.

What to Expect

👀 On the Ground

The trail from Đắk Choong village passes through secondary forest before entering older growth with larger trees and denser undergrowth. The path follows a stream valley upward - creek crossings are required and can be ankle to knee deep depending on recent rainfall. The waterfall emerges from the forest in a series of tiers, with the main drop falling into a clear pool suitable for swimming in the dry season. The forest around the fall is intact enough to support wildlife - bird calls are constant and larger mammals including primates have been recorded in the area, though sightings require patience and luck.

Travel Tips

🧳 Tips

Pa Sy is for travellers who specifically seek out remote and undeveloped natural sites - the journey is long, the facilities are minimal, and the reward is a waterfall in primary forest with virtually no other visitors. The Kon Tum highlands as a whole are one of Vietnam's most ethnically diverse and least-touristed regions, and a trip to Đắk Glei works best as part of a longer northern Kon Tum itinerary that includes minority village visits and the wartime history of the Đắk Tô - Tân Cảnh area rather than as a standalone waterfall trip.

Insider Tips

Based on real traveler experiences and commonly mentioned advice from multiple visitors.

Bring trash bags as litter is widespread; help keep area clean
Arrive early morning or weekday afternoon to avoid queues and crowds
Wear sturdy footwear with good grip for steep, slippery stairs and wet conditions
Hire a local guide from Đắk Choong village - the trail is unmarked and passes through dense forest where route-finding without local knowledge is unreliable
The waterfall is most impressive in Oct - Dec after the rainy season has peaked - dry season visits in Mar - Aug may find reduced flow
Wear leech socks or tuck trousers into socks - the forest trail passes through humid undergrowth where leeches are active after rain
Combine with a visit to a Jẻ-Triêng minority village in Đắk Choong - the community tourism infrastructure here is minimal, making interactions more genuine than in more developed highland areas
The road to Đắk Glei district from Kon Tum city is long - plan to stay overnight in Đắk Glei town rather than attempting a return day trip

FAQ

Common questions from travelers who've visited this place.

What is the entrance fee?›
Entrance fee is 20,000 VND per person. Additional costs for motorbike descent or other activities.
Is the waterfall safe to swim in?›
Water is cold year-round, discouraging swimming. Safe stairs provided to reach waterfall, but watch footing on steep steps.
When is the best time to visit?›
Visit weekdays in mid-September through early December. Arrive early morning or afternoon to avoid midday crowds and queues.

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