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📍 waterfall · da lat

Pongour Waterfall

Pongour Waterfall is the widest waterfall in the Đà Lạt region - a 40-metre wide, seven-tiered cascade dropping through K'Ho minority land, 50km south of Đà Lạt city, famous for the annual full moon festival held at its base every January.

💧 Widest Waterfall in Da Lat📸 Photography🌿 Nature🎉 Full Moon Festival
🧭 Get Directions

Overview

Best Time to Visit
📅 Jul – Oct (rainy season, maximum water flow); Jan for full moon festival
Entry Fee
🎟️ ~20,000 VND
Opening Hours
🕐 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address
📌 Tân Hội, Đức Trọng, Lâm Đồng

Things to Know

👥Crowds
Generally fewer tourists than other Vietnam waterfalls, but school groups arrive mid-morning making it busier. Visiting early morning or weekdays recommended for solitude
🥾Difficulty
Steep descent with many steps and handrails. Takes 5-10 minutes down, 10-15 minutes up on foot. Paths can be slippery after rain; proper footwear essential
⚠️Safety
Swimming and climbing near waterfall not permitted due to strong water flow and slippery rocks. Some scamming reported when paying females at the site. Bridge to waterfall base may be unfinished in places
🚶Accessibility
Electric shuttle bus available for 15,000 VND per person going up or down. Golf cart service also available at 15,000 VND. Alternative path available besides stairs
🌤️Seasonal
Most impressive during rainy season with full water volume. February and dry seasons have noticeably less water. Water levels affect overall experience significantly
ABOUT THIS PLACE

What Makes Pongour Waterfall Special

Pongour Waterfall sits 50km south of Đà Lạt in Đức Trọng District, on the Đa Nhim River - a 40-metre wide, seven-tiered cascade that is the widest waterfall in the Central Highlands. The name comes from the K'Ho language meaning 'the falls of the wild boar', reflecting the K'Ho minority community that has lived in this area for centuries and considers the waterfall sacred. The falls are most impressive in the rainy season when all seven tiers run at full volume - a broad curtain of water dropping over a basalt shelf into a wide pool. Emperor Bảo Đại reportedly declared Pongour the most beautiful waterfall in Indochina during his time at Đà Lạt - a claim that overstates the case but reflects the genuine visual impact of the falls at high water. Every January at the first full moon, the K'Ho community holds a traditional festival at the falls that draws both local pilgrims and travellers.

How to Get There

🚗 Getting There

Pongour Waterfall is 50km south of Đà Lạt city on Highway 20 toward Ho Chi Minh City - about 1 hour by motorbike. The entrance is clearly signposted from the highway. From the car park, a path leads to the upper viewing platform and a separate steeper path descends to the base of the falls. Combine with Elephant Waterfall (30km north of Pongour) as a loop from Đà Lạt.

What to Expect

👀 On the Ground

The upper platform gives a wide view of the full cascade - the seven tiers visible at high water as distinct steps of white water across the full 40-metre width. The descent to the base takes about 20 minutes on a steep rocky path. At the base, the spray is significant in rainy season and the pool below the main drop is surrounded by basalt formations. The surrounding landscape is rolling farmland typical of the Đức Trọng plateau - less dramatic than the highland forest around Elephant Waterfall but the waterfall itself is larger.

Travel Tips

🧳 Tips

Pongour is the destination for scale - the widest and most voluminous waterfall accessible from Đà Lạt. The rainy season visit is the right call; dry season reduces the flow significantly. Pair with Elephant Waterfall for a full southern Đà Lạt waterfall day.

Insider Tips

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

Wear proper footwear with grip; paths become slippery after rain. Consider raincoat if weather uncertain
Visit early morning or on weekdays to avoid school groups and crowds that build mid-morning
Use shuttle bus going up (15,000 VND) and walk down to avoid excessive stair climbing fatigue
Visit in the rainy season (July–September) for the full width of all seven tiers - in dry season only the central section flows strongly
The full moon festival (Tết Nguyên Tiêu) in January draws thousands of K'Ho pilgrims and is one of the most distinctive cultural events in the Central Highlands
The path to the base of the falls involves a steep descent - wear shoes with grip and allow 20 minutes each way
Combine with Elephant Waterfall on the same day - both are south of Đà Lạt and the two together make a full waterfall half-day
The upper viewing platform gives the best width shot; the base gives the best power shot - do both

FAQ

Common questions from travelers who've visited this place.

Can you swim at Pongour Falls?›
No, swimming is not allowed. Warning signs prohibit climbing and swimming near the waterfall due to strong water flow and slippery rocks
How much time do you need to visit?›
Typically 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on pace. The walk down takes 5-10 minutes, up takes 10-15 minutes on foot
What are the costs involved?›
Entrance fee 40,000-45,000 VND per person, parking 3,000-5,000 VND per vehicle, shuttle/golf cart 15,000 VND per person each way

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