Pongour Waterfall is a famous, beautiful waterfall considered one of the most majestic in the Central Highlands, cascading nearly 40 meters and spanning more than 100 meters across a multi-tiered rock staircase. Surrounding the waterfall is a pristine forest with diverse and abundant vegetation.
“The most majestic waterfall in the South”
Pongour Waterfall is located about 50km from the center of Da Lat, in Ninh Gia Commune, Lam Dong province. Emperor Bao Dai named Pongour Waterfall “Nam Thiên Đệ Nhất Thác” (the most majestic waterfall in Southern Vietnam) when he visited the waterfall in the previous century. Locals call it the “Seven-Tiered Waterfall” because the water cascades over seven tiers of stepped rocks.
A view of Pongour Waterfall
Pongour Waterfall originates from the majestic Da Nhim River. To reach and explore this amazing tourist destination in Da Lat, you have two paths to the base of the waterfall. One main path is long and has a gentle slope, making it quite easy to walk and not strenuous. The second path is shorter but has more steps. This path is only for adventurous tourists to add excitement to the trip.
Down to the foot of the waterfall, visitors will be “overwhelmed” by the majestic and beautiful Pongour Waterfall. The water cascades down from above into the large lake, creating a white foam.
Pongour Waterfall is beautiful and full of water throughout the year. During the rainy season (from July to September), the waterfall flows strongly into the lake, creating a magnificent scene with its white foam.
During the dry season (from October to July of the following year), the water is gentler, slowly flowing down the rock layers like soft, smooth silk ribbons spread on mossy rocks, creating a breathtaking and captivating scene. Furthermore, visitors can climb the stone steps to get a closer look at the cool, clear water and mossy rocks, and take unique commemorative photos at this Da Lat tourist spot. If you choose to visit in October, you’ll immediately see the beautiful wild sunflowers blooming along both sides of the road.
Pongour is a name transliterated by the French from the local K’Ho language: Pon-gou means “master of the white clay land,” while in the local language it means rhinoceros horn.
Pongour Waterfall is associated with the K’Ho legend of a beautiful female chieftain named Kanai, who was said to tame wild animals. She conquered four unusually large rhinoceroses and cleared land, helping the villagers to cultivate crops. Thanks to her, people lead prosperous, happy, and peaceful lives.
Every year on the 15th day of the first lunar month, a spring festival is held at Pongour Waterfall, featuring many folk games and traditional cultural rituals, attracting thousands of tourists from across the region.
Pongour Waterfall
- Location: Tan Nghia village, Ninh Gia commune, Lam Dong province, about 50km from the center of Da Lat.
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM, daily.
- Entrance fee: 20,000 VND/adult and 10,000 VND/child.
Source: collected by An
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