What Thac Dray Sap actually is

Thac Dray Sap sits on the Serepok River in what was formerly Dak Nong province, now part of the expanded Lam Dong province after the 2025 administrative merger. The name comes from the Ede language — "Dray Sap" roughly translates to "smoke waterfall," which makes sense the moment you see it. Water crashes over a wide basalt cliff face, roughly 20 meters high and over 100 meters across during the wet season, throwing up a permanent cloud of mist that hangs in the jungle canopy.

This isn't a single narrow cascade. It's a curtain of water spread across dark volcanic rock, surrounded by dense forest. The basalt columns here are part of the same geological formation that created the region's famous red soil — the result of ancient volcanic activity across the Central Highlands (중부 고원 / 中部高原 / 中部高原) plateau.

About 100 meters downstream, a second waterfall called Dray Nur drops even further. The two are connected by a footpath and suspension bridge, and most visitors treat them as a single trip. Together they form one of the more impressive waterfall systems in southern Vietnam (베트남 / 越南 / ベトナム).

Why travelers go

The Central Highlands doesn't get the tourist traffic of Da Nang or Da Lat. That's part of the appeal. Thac Dray Sap draws mostly domestic visitors on weekends, and on a weekday you might have the lower viewing platforms nearly to yourself.

The main reasons people make the trip:

  • The scale. This isn't a photogenic trickle. During rainy season, the volume of water is genuinely impressive — you'll hear it before you see it.
  • The geology. Hexagonal basalt columns frame parts of the falls, giving the place an unusual, almost architectural quality.
  • The swimming. In the dry season (roughly November through April), pools form at the base where you can wade or swim. The water is cool but not cold.
  • The quiet. No resort development, no cable cars, no glass-bottom walkways. It's a waterfall in the jungle with a dirt path and some metal stairs.

Best time to visit

This depends on what you want:

  • Rainy season (May–October): Maximum water volume. The falls are at their most dramatic, especially July through September. But trails get muddy, the river runs brown, and swimming is dangerous or impossible.
  • Dry season (November–April): Less water, but the basalt is exposed, pools are swimmable, and the trails are easy. Late November and December hit a good balance — decent flow, dry paths.

Avoid major Vietnamese holidays, especially Tet and the April 30 long weekend. The site gets crowded with domestic tour groups and parking becomes chaotic.

A mesmerizing waterfall cascading in Lâm Đồng, Vietnam, surrounded by lush vegetation and blue skies.

Photo by Serg Alesenko on Pexels

How to get there

Thac Dray Sap is located in Dak Mil district, about 30 km south of Buon Ma Thuot and roughly 200 km northwest of Da Lat (달랏 / 大叻 / ダラット) by road.

From Buon Ma Thuot

The closest city. Drive south on Highway 14 toward Gia Nghia, then turn off at the signed junction near Dak Mil town. Total distance is about 30 km, roughly 45 minutes by motorbike or car. This is the most common approach.

From Da Lat

A longer but scenic drive — around 4 to 5 hours via National Route 28 through Di Linh and Gia Nghia, then north to Dak Mil. The road passes through coffee and pepper plantations the entire way. If you're spending time in Da Lat, this makes a solid day trip or overnight side trip.

From Saigon

About 350 km. Most people fly to Buon Ma Thuot (BMV airport, served by VietJet and Vietnam Airlines) and drive from there. Direct bus from Saigon to Buon Ma Thuot takes 7–8 hours on a sleeper bus; Phuong Trang runs the most reliable service, tickets around 250,000–350,000 VND.

There's no public transport to the waterfall itself. You'll need a motorbike rental (150,000–200,000 VND/day in Buon Ma Thuot) or a hired car.

Entrance fee: 30,000 VND per person (as of early 2025). Parking is 10,000–20,000 VND for motorbikes.

What to do

The site is straightforward. From the ticket gate, a paved path leads about 500 meters through forest to the main viewpoint above Dray Sap falls. Metal stairs descend to lower platforms closer to the water.

From there, follow the signed trail (about 15–20 minutes on foot) to the suspension bridge crossing the Serepok, which leads to Dray Nur falls on the opposite bank. Dray Nur is actually taller — around 30 meters — and arguably more photogenic, with water pouring over a wide overhang.

Budget 2 to 3 hours for both falls at a comfortable pace. Bring water shoes if you plan to scramble on the rocks near the base.

A few hundred meters from the entrance, there's a small "ethnic village" recreation area with longhouse-style shelters. It's a bit staged, but the hammocks are genuine and the shade is welcome.

Where to eat

There are a handful of food stalls near the parking area selling "com tam (껌땀 / 碎米饭 / コムタム)", grilled meat with rice, and drinks. Expect basic but filling meals for 40,000–60,000 VND.

For something better, eat in Buon Ma Thuot before or after. The city has excellent "bun bo Hue (분보후에 / 顺化牛肉粉 / ブンボーフエ)" — the Central Highlands version tends to be slightly less spicy than what you'd find in Hue itself. Quan Bun Bo Hue Ba Thao on Ly Thuong Kiet street is a reliable local pick, bowls around 35,000 VND.

The Central Highlands is also prime Vietnamese coffee (베트남 커피 / 越南咖啡 / ベトナムコーヒー) territory. Buon Ma Thuot is the capital of robusta production, and a "ca phe sua da" here is as good as it gets — strong, thick, and about 15,000–20,000 VND at any local shop.

A stunning aerial shot of the Dak Bla River, showcasing rocky formations and vibrant waters.

Photo by Duy Nguyen on Pexels

Where to stay

There's no accommodation at the waterfall. Stay in Buon Ma Thuot (most options) or Gia Nghia town.

  • Budget: Nha Nghi (guesthouses) along the main roads in Buon Ma Thuot, 200,000–350,000 VND/night. Basic but clean.
  • Mid-range: A few decent hotels near the city center around 500,000–800,000 VND. Muong Thanh hotel is the most consistent chain option.
  • Homestay: Some coffee farm homestays have appeared in the area around Dak Mil. Worth searching on booking platforms if you want something quieter.

Practical tips

  • Wear shoes with grip. The rocks near the falls are slippery year-round.
  • Bring a dry bag or ziplock for your phone. Mist reaches the lower platforms even in dry season.
  • If you're combining Dray Sap with other Central Highlands stops — Buon Ma Thuot's Ede longhouses, Lak Lake, or the drive south toward Da Lat — give yourself at least two nights in the region.
  • Cell signal is decent at the entrance but patchy near the falls themselves.
  • The area is malaria-free but mosquitoes are aggressive near the water, especially late afternoon. Bring repellent.

Common mistakes

  • Visiting on a Sunday. Domestic tour groups arrive by the busload. Go on a weekday if possible.
  • Only seeing Dray Sap. Dray Nur is the better waterfall and many visitors skip it because they don't realize it's connected. Cross the bridge.
  • Underestimating the heat. The Central Highlands plateau sits around 500 meters elevation here — lower and hotter than Da Lat. Midday temperatures from March to May regularly hit 35°C. Start early.
  • Expecting English signage. There's minimal English at the site. Download offline Vietnamese on Google Translate before you go.
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Last updated · May 25, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.