What it is
Dray Nur sits about 25 km south of Buon Ma Thuot, the coffee capital of Vietnam's Central Highlands (중부 고원 / 中部高原 / 中部高原). It's the downstream partner of Dray Sap — the two waterfalls share the Serepok River but have completely different characters. Dray Sap is tall and narrow; Dray Nur is wide, curtain-like, roughly 250 meters across and dropping about 30 meters into a misty basin. The name comes from Ede language — "Nur" means "female" — and local legend pairs it with Dray Sap ("male") as separated lovers.
The falls have been a known site for decades, but tourism infrastructure only caught up in the last ten years. Today there's a paved access road, a ticket gate, and concrete steps down to the base, but it still feels far less commercialized than waterfalls in Da Lat or Sapa.
Why travelers go
Three reasons, mostly:
- Scale. Dray Nur is one of the widest waterfalls in Vietnam (베트남 / 越南 / ベトナム). During rainy season, the entire basalt cliff face turns into a single sheet of water. Even in dry months, the center channels stay active.
- Proximity to Buon Ma Thuot. If you're already in town for coffee plantations or Ede village visits, the falls are a natural half-day add-on.
- The swim. Unlike many Vietnamese waterfalls where swimming is banned or dangerous, Dray Nur has a wide, relatively calm pool at the base. Locals swim here on weekends.
Best time to visit
The Central Highlands have two seasons: wet (May–October) and dry (November–April).
- July–September delivers maximum water volume. The falls are thundering, the mist soaks you 50 meters out, and the surrounding forest is impossibly green. Downside: trails get slippery, the pool is too rough to swim safely, and afternoon storms can cut visits short.
- February–April offers dry trails, clear skies, and a calmer pool for swimming. Water flow is thinner — still photogenic, but you'll see more exposed rock face.
- Sweet spot: Late October or early November. Rains taper off, water is still strong, trails start drying out.
Photo by Nay Sa Muel on Pexels
How to get there
From Buon Ma Thuot city center, Dray Nur is about 25 km southwest via Highway 14 and then a signed turnoff onto a local road. The last 3 km is a single-lane concrete path through coffee plantations.
By motorbike: The default option. Rent in Buon Ma Thuot for 120,000–150,000 VND/day. The ride takes 35–40 minutes. Google Maps has the correct pin — search "Thac Dray Nur."
By car/taxi: A Grab car runs about 200,000–250,000 VND one way. Agree on a wait-and-return price (around 500,000–600,000 VND round trip with 2 hours at the falls) since Grab availability at the falls is unreliable.
By tour: Most Buon Ma Thuot hotels offer a combined Dray Sap + Dray Nur half-day for 350,000–500,000 VND per person, including transport and entrance fees.
Entrance fee: 30,000 VND per person (as of early 2024). Parking is 5,000–10,000 VND for a motorbike.
What to do
Walk to the base
From the ticket gate, it's about 800 meters down a path with stone steps. Takes 10–15 minutes. The viewpoint halfway down gives you the wide-angle panorama; the base puts you in the mist.
Swim
In dry season, the pool at the foot of the falls is chest-deep near the edges and refreshing — water temperature stays cool year-round at this elevation (around 500 meters above sea level). Bring swimwear; there are basic changing huts.
Cross to Dray Sap
A suspension bridge connects the Dray Nur side to Dray Sap (separate 20,000 VND ticket). The walk between the two takes about 20 minutes through forest. Do both if you have time — they're different enough to justify it.
Photograph the basalt columns
The cliff face is columnar basalt, similar to what you'd see at Giant's Causeway but vertical. Early morning (before 8 AM) gives you soft light and no crowds.
Where to eat
There's no proper restaurant at the falls — just a few drink stalls selling sugarcane juice, instant noodles, and snacks near the parking area.
Eat before or after in Buon Ma Thuot:
- Bun cha isn't the local specialty, but "com tam" with grilled pork is everywhere and cheap (35,000–45,000 VND).
- "Pho (쌀국수 / 越南河粉 / フォー)" kho Gia Lai style — dry noodles with broth on the side — shows up at morning stalls near Nguyen Tat Thanh Street.
- For vietnamese coffee (베트남 커피 / 越南咖啡 / ベトナムコーヒー), Buon Ma Thuot is the source. Try any roastery along Tran Hung Dao Street; iced "ca phe sua da" runs 18,000–25,000 VND and tastes noticeably different from Hanoi or Saigon versions — heavier body, less sugar.
Photo by Serg Alesenko on Pexels
Where to stay
Nothing at the falls themselves. Base yourself in Buon Ma Thuot:
- Budget: Nha Nghi (guesthouses) on Le Hong Phong Street, 200,000–350,000 VND/night.
- Mid-range: Muong Thanh Buon Ma Thuot or Hai Ba Trung Hotel, 500,000–800,000 VND/night with breakfast.
- Homestay option: A few Ede-style longhouse stays have opened in villages between the city and the falls (search "homestay Buon Don" for listings). Basic but atmospheric.
Practical tips
- Wear shoes with grip. The steps near the base are wet year-round from mist.
- Bring a dry bag or waterproof phone case if visiting in wet season — you'll get sprayed.
- The falls face roughly east. Morning light hits the water directly; by 2 PM the cliff casts shadow over the pool.
- Weekends (especially Sunday) bring local families. Visit on a weekday morning for near-solitude.
- Phone signal (Viettel, Mobifone) is decent at the parking area but drops at the base.
Common mistakes
Skipping Dray Sap. They're connected and take a combined 3 hours. Doing only one feels incomplete.
Coming at midday. The walk down has no shade in places, and the Central Highlands sun at noon is intense even in "cool" season. Arrive by 8 AM or after 3 PM.
Not bringing water. The drink stalls sometimes close on quiet weekdays. Carry at least a liter.
Expecting Da Lat (달랏 / 大叻 / ダラット)-level infrastructure. There are no cafes, no Instagram swing sets, no smoothie bars. That's the appeal — but prepare accordingly.
Last updated · May 19, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
