Dalat is one of the most popular vacation cities among Vietnamese people and well known to tourists for all of the incredible waterfalls in Dalat. Many people visit Dalat every year for an adventure activity known as Canyoning, essentially climbing down waterfalls. Even if you aren’t here to climb down the falls you’ll still find lots of amazing scenery and in fact, the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam are found here in Dalat.
I spent 2 months driving a motorcycle across Vietnam and hope you enjoy my 3 favorite waterfalls in Dalat and it helps you plan your trip. Scroll down to the bottom for some hotel recommendations in Dalat too.
Contents
Must see Waterfalls in Dalat Vietnam!
Pongour Waterfall
Entrance Fee: 10,000 VND ($.50)
Directions to Pongour Falls
Thác Pongour, aka Pongour Waterfall, is a must-see waterfall in Dalat! This massive cascading series of falls creates a wall of water longer than a football field and infinitely more impressive. Any single slice of this beautiful cascade could be the nicest waterfall in a country but together I have to say this just might be the most amazing waterfall I’ve seen in the world!
“Thác” means waterfall in Vietnamese
Perhaps I felt so awestruck by this waterfall because it was the first one I had a chance to fly a drone over and this new perspective makes it even more amazing. But then again, Pongour waterfalls regularly tops the list of most amazing waterfalls in Vietnam and should be the #1 thing to see in Dalat.
The only problem is that Thác Pongour is over an hour away from Dalat making it a bit harder to visit for most tourists. The best way to experience it is by renting a motorbike (or buying one and driving it across the country like I did)
Elephant Falls
Entrance Fee: 20,000 VND ($1)
Directions to Elephant Falls
Elephant Falls, locally known as Thác Voi, is much closer to Dalat than Pongour falls and a very scenic drive. You can easily visit both in one day if you’ve got your own transportation. But I’ll tell you more about getting around later, for now, let’s just bask in the beauty of Elephant Falls!
You’ll find the falls near a small parking lot and can instantly hear the roar of the deluge. Walking towards it you’ll see a cloud of mist rising and some stairs just past the shops on your right. Heading down these rickety stairs you’re sure to feel the damp air and get wet but be careful because the path will likely be slippery too!
Try a Waterfall Adventure in Dalat
Datanla Falls
Entrance Fee: 30,000 VND ($1.50)
Canyoning Fee: 800,000 VND ($40 per person)
Directions to Datanla Falls
Many people come to Dalat for one purpose, canyoning, or climbing down a waterfall, and Datanla Falls is the best place for it! You’ll have to reserve a tour ahead of time but as of Summer 2017 should cost you about $40 per person. If that is too steep for your budget then you might not want to even bother visiting Dalat. Actually, scratch that and shell out the money for canyoning because it is a totally unique adventure that everyone should try!
Canyoning in Datalna falls is like having your very own natural, outdoor waterpark!
Thinking about going Canyoning in Dalat? There are some inherent risks with that adventure and I highly recommend getting travel insurance before you go. I used World Nomads and even though I didn’t need it the peace of mind it gave me helped me enjoy the trip so much more. They are quite affordable and will give you an instant quote if you fill in the info below.
Your guides will teach you the basics of rappeling, provide all your gear and let you practice on dry land before you try the real thing. We spent a half day going from one fall to the next with a few lazy river sections in between. If you’re up for it they’ll show you where you can cliff jump and even let you ride down one of the waterfalls like a waterslide! Canyoning in Datalna falls is like having your very own natural, outdoor waterpark!
Which do you think is the best waterfall in Dalat? Comment below to let me know.
For another amazing waterfall in Vietnam check out Ban Gioc Falls on the northern border with China. It’s Asia’s largest multinational waterfall.
Where to Stay in Dalat
Budget Hostels in Dalat
iColor Dalat Hostel – I didn’t stay in a hostel in Dalat but heard plenty of chatter about iColor Dalat Hostel. it’s hard to beat their $4/night rooms and everyone says they have the best staff and chilll pad. Better reserve a bed today.
Midrange Hotels in Dalat
Dalat Colico Hotel – We loved this cute hotel for only $7/night. Run by a cute old lady who simply LOVES Dalat and her tiny pug, named Vodka. She helped us arrange our Canyoning trip and runs a hotel that is great for a couple that would rather spend their money on adventure than accommodation.
Gia Pham Hotel – These are the highest rated rooms (on Booking) in Dalat for under $10. Check them out and let me know what you think.
Luxury Hotels in Dalat
Flowers and Rocks Villa – A beautiful villa with lots of options between $20-$60 per night. The Flowers and Rocks Villa has a wonderful decor and would be my hotel of choice if I were bringing my family or a group to Dalat, Vietnam.
Villa 288 – Stay at a beautiful villa for only $74/night! You’ll have a sundeck with a mountain view and a homey feel. Great for a family or if you’re staying a bit longer in Dalat.
Looking for other things to do in Vietnam?
- Explore the caves and jungles of Phong Nha
- Relax on Monkey Beach in Cat Ba Island
- Trek through rice fields with a local tribe in Sapa
- Explore Hoi An, a famous UNESCO site
- Look for wild Gibbons at Cat Tien National Park
If you enjoyed this post please share it by clicking the buttons on the left. Don’t forget to pin your favorite image below on Pinterest too!
More photos from this adventure and others can be found on the @LiveTravelTeach Instagram Account and don’t forget to follow www.LiveTravelTeach.com by adding your email at the top of this page to make sure you don’t miss any of these amazing adventures!
Disclaimer: This is the internet and It is safe to assume that links and content contained on this webpage provide compensation to the website’s owner. The opinions here are my own and the information here is accurate as of January 2018. Unless otherwise labeled, all photos were taken by Mike Still.
47 comments
Hi Mike, Looks like you had a great time checking out Vietnam! This is one of our most favourite countries in Asia!! So beautiful and great food! I’m sure you loved the riding around the country and checking the amazing waterfalls. If I had to pick my favourite, it would be the Elephant one for sure!! Safe travels!!
I’ve heard lots of good things about Dalat but I didn’t know it had so many beautiful waterfalls! Elephant Falls is my favorite one, especially from your shots from the rainy season. It might be a little scary during that time but it looks incredible.
Hello, fellow teacher! This article is reminding me of the fun times I spent in Da Lat, but I’m realizing… I missed all the good waterfalls! I’m particularly intrigued by Ban Gioc Falls, even though it’s all the way on the northern border with China. Clearly I need to come back to Vietnam soon!
Hello fellow teacher 🙂 Thank you for stopping by. I hope you get back to Vietnam soon. This was on my 2nd trip, I feel like its just one of those countries that you can keep returning to and always find something new.
Love the inclusion of gifs in your post! Ever since I saw that picture of monks in Pongour waterfalls, I always wanted to go there. Now you just make me want to speed up my travel planning for Vietnam!
Thank you Darlene. It was the first time I’ve tried using my drone/GoPro to make a gif. I know exactly what monk picture you’re thinking of! You should definitely move Vietnam to the top of your list.
All the waterfalls look great and I bet people love the experience of canyoning down a waterfall too. My fave would be the first one. The multiple streams make it look so pretty.
My favorite was the first one too! Pongour is like nothing else I’ve seen before. Definitely the best waterfall in Dalat.
Gorgeous waterfalls! I’m really taken with the pics of Elephant Falls and the red water. I hope to visit this area sometime.. Thanks for the helpful travel tips, too.
The red water actually comes from the monsoon rains washing so much red clay and dirt into the river.
I was wondering about the red water! Just saw the reason in the comments above. The photos are gorgeous. I’ve been to Vietnam some years back but not to Dalat, clearly I need to return as I’m a sucker for an amazing waterfall spot.
[…] Dalat is also well-known for its waterfalls. Read more about waterfalls in Dalat. […]
Each one of the water falls is better than others. I, however, find Elephant falls to be the roughest. It could be because of the angle of the video. I am adding this to my list of things to do in Vietnam. The prices are as good as free!
Every single one of the falls are beautiful. I love the angle and orange murkiness of the Elephant Falls! I enjoyed the way you presented them as well!
The waterfalls in Dalat look really impressive, Mike. I didn’t realise they had such a high volume of water.. The orange water of Elephant Falls in particular makes it pretty interesting.
Such a gorgeous series of falls on display! I love the idea of canyoning along the falls. It looks epic! And $40 is not too steep a price for an experience like that either.
Fantastic! One of my favorite things about traveling in Southeast Asia was swimming in beautiful crystal clear waterfalls on a hot day. These waterfalls look absolutely spectacular! I would really like to do the canyoning experience at Datanla Falls – to looks like a lot of fun and a great value for the price.
The Pongour Falls look spectacular, like something from Lord of the Rings. I think we would definitely give canyoning a go.
Fantastic article, I saw my first ever real waterfall in Dalat – but nothing like these!! I guess I’ll just have to go back! 😛
I confess, waterfalls are my weakness. These certainly look as lovely as you say. I love the gifs – they make them even more impressive than the photos. But, Iguazu is still my favourite waterfall ever…
This is incredible! We love waterfalls and the pics you’ve shared are amazing. The gifs look quite stunning as well ?
This definitely makes me want to visit Dalat. I love waterfalls. I’d particularly want to visit Datanla Falls.
Aww Dalat! I love it here so much – this was a big highlight of my Vietnam trip. Elephant Falls looks epic!
[…] About three hours from Phan Thiết you’ll find yourself in Dalat where you can witness some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam! […]
[…] Falls,situated in the Shimoga district of Karnataka is one of the largest and the longest waterfalls in India.It is a sporadic waterfalls as compared to its peers and is the highest waterfalls of […]
[…] is a fascinating country to visit with plenty of unique things to do, especially if you like nature and the outdoors. High on my list was finding somewhere I could train during the time Hoi An, and I would be sharing […]
[…] Contributed by Mike Still, Live Travel Teach […]
Such a great post <3 Hope that one day I could have a chance to visit Dalat. I`m Vietnamese person but i`ve never been to this beautiful city, despite the fact that my family had the trip in there last year. I`m sure that my experience there will be one of the most memorable moments in my life. Thank you
\You will love it when you go to Dalat, Where do you live in Vietnam?
These falls are all amazing but the series of falls in Pongour stood out for me! I also love your shot of the orange water, it’s hard to believe the color comes from clay and dirt! How much does it cost to rent a motorbike?
Pongour was without a doubt the best one of these 3 waterfalls near Dalat. I heard that the orange water was because it was near monsoon season but sometimes Elephant falls is a different color. We bought our motorbike for about $300 USD but I think you could rent one for $4-15 USD per day. The best thing would be to ask at your hotel or a tour company in Dalat.
[…] more attention and today, I can say that Vietnam truly has it all. From canyons, mountains, caves, waterfalls to amazing nature and beautiful […]
[…] Rivers. And there are also beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam. […]
[…] Posts 40 Best Hikes in Asia 3 Must-See Waterfalls in Dalat, Vietnam Best Places for Winter in Korea The Ultimate Jeju Island Guide – 12 Things… 24 Wonderful […]
[…] Posts 40 Best Hikes in Asia 3 Must-See Waterfalls in Dalat, Vietnam Best Places for Winter in Korea Traditional Japanese Food Guide The Ultimate Jeju Island Guide […]
[…] Must check out the three must-see waterfalls in Dalat, Vietnam. […]
[…] waterfalls and take the 8m plunge into the depths below. Check out one of the many breathtaking waterfalls in Dalat while you’re here. Don’t forget to strap your harness tight, because you’re in […]
[…] Check Out ==> 3 Breathtaking Waterfalls in Dalat, Vietnam […]
[…] Must check out the three must-see waterfalls in Dalat, Vietnam. […]
[…] an amazing time with OneTrip with yesterday’s half-day city tour so we signed up for the full day Dalat waterfalls tour via motorbike for our third day. This tour was one of our favorite aspects during our time in […]
[…] Considering other amazing places in Vietnam: Dalat – awesome scenery, relaxed atmosphere […]
[…] quite cheap. This list includes our top 5 places in Vietnam. Other locations like Sapa, Mui Ne or waterfalls of Dalat are also well worth […]
[…] Renting a motorbike is also a good way to go around this mountainous town. You can also chase waterfalls in Dalat and you will have an amazing […]
[…] Click here to read about the three must see waterfalls in Dalat […]
May want to warn everyone about drone transport and usage in vietnam. It is highly controlled and restricted in some areas of the country. Being a foreigner you are not exempt to their laws. ?
Vietnam is beautiful and a very controlled city. There are no strict rules and regulations imposed on travelers
[…] is around 250 m and is a treasure for the nation. It is one of the highest and longest sporadic waterfalls in India and is rated very highly by travelers coming to scout this corner of the country to enjoy […]