What it is
Thac Krong Kmar drops roughly 30 meters across multiple basalt tiers in Krong Bong district, about 55 km southeast of Buon Ma Thuot city. The name comes from the Ede language — "Kmar" means butterfly — and during the wet season the spray fans outward in a shape locals say resembles wings in motion. The falls sit inside a patch of semi-evergreen forest that has survived the coffee and pepper expansion that defines much of Dak Lak's lowlands.
The site has been loosely managed as a local tourism spot since the early 2000s, but infrastructure remains minimal. That's part of the appeal: no ticket gates with loudspeaker announcements, no concrete promenades. You get red-dirt trails, the smell of wet rock, and a swimming hole that stays cool even in April.
Why travelers go
Most visitors to the Central Highlands (중부 고원 / 中部高原 / 中部高原) default to Buon Ma Thuot for coffee tourism or Da Lat for the mild weather. Thac Krong Kmar gives you a reason to push deeper into Dak Lak's rural interior — Ede and M'nong villages, cashew orchards, and empty roads where the only traffic is motorbikes hauling durian.
The waterfall itself is genuinely impressive during peak flow (September–November), when the Krong Kmar stream is swollen from monsoon rains. Even in the drier months, there's enough water to swim. The surrounding forest offers short hikes, and the area is flat enough for casual cyclists.
Best time to visit
Dak Lak's wet season runs May through October. The falls peak in volume around September–October, which is dramatic but makes trails muddy. The sweet spot is late October to early December — water levels are still high, the rain tapers off, and mornings are cool (20–24°C).
Avoid March–April if you want a full cascade. Flow drops significantly and the upper tiers can thin to a trickle. That said, the pool stays swimmable year-round and the forest is quieter in dry season.
How to get there
From Buon Ma Thuot
The drive is about 55 km on QL27 heading southeast toward Krong Bong town, then a turn-off onto a smaller road (look for the brown tourism sign reading "Thac Krong Kmar 7 km"). Total ride time: roughly 1.5 hours by motorbike, slightly less by car. The last 3 km is unpaved but manageable on any motorbike — just slow down after rain.
Rental motorbikes in Buon Ma Thuot run 120,000–180,000 VND/day for a Honda Wave or similar. If you're staying centrally, shops along Ly Thuong Kiet street near the Victory Monument rent bikes without fuss.
From further afield
If you're coming from Da Lat (about 200 km), take QL27 north through Lak Lake — a worthwhile stop — then continue to Krong Bong. From Da Nang or Hoi An, the fastest route is inland via QL14 south to Buon Ma Thuot (roughly 6–7 hours by bus), then local transport to the falls.
There's no public bus directly to Thac Krong Kmar. You'll need your own wheels or a xe om (motorbike taxi) from Krong Bong town center, which costs around 50,000–80,000 VND one way.
Photo by Serg Alesenko on Pexels
What to do
Swim. The plunge pool at the base of the main tier is deep enough to jump into from the lower rocks (check depth first — it shifts after floods). Water temperature hovers around 22–24°C.
Walk the tiers. A rough trail climbs along the left side of the falls to the upper levels. It's steep in places and there are no railings, so wear shoes with grip. The top tier gives you a view back over the canopy toward the valley.
Visit nearby Ede villages. Several longhouse communities sit within 10 km of the falls. If you speak some Vietnamese (or bring a local friend), you can buy "ruou can" (rice wine drunk through bamboo straws) directly from households. It's social, not transactional — sit, drink, listen.
Birdwatching. The forest around the falls hosts green peafowl sightings (rare) and more commonly hornbills, barbets, and sunbirds. Early morning before 7:00 is best.
Where to eat
There's no restaurant at the waterfall itself. Pack lunch or eat in Krong Bong town before heading out. A few "com binh dan" (everyday rice) shops on the main road serve plates of rice with grilled pork, greens, and broth for 30,000–45,000 VND.
Back in Buon Ma Thuot, the food scene is underrated. Try "com tam" with a Central Highlands twist — broken rice topped with grilled venison or wild boar at local joints along Nguyen Cong Tru street. For coffee (this is Vietnam's coffee capital, after all), skip the chains and find a family roaster. Quan Ca Phe Anh Huy on Ba Trieu street does a solid black drip for 15,000 VND.
Where to stay
No accommodation exists at the falls. Your options:
- Krong Bong town: A handful of "nha nghi" (guesthouses) with basic rooms, fan or AC, 200,000–350,000 VND/night. Don't expect hot water in the cheaper ones.
- Buon Ma Thuot: Full range from budget hotels (300,000–500,000 VND) to a couple of mid-range places near the center. Muong Thanh Buon Ma Thuot is the most reliable mid-tier option if you want reliable wifi and breakfast included.
- Lak Lake area (30 km north): A few homestays on stilts overlooking the lake — a solid combo if you want to pair Thac Krong Kmar with a lake visit.
Photo by Sóc Năng Động on Pexels
Practical tips
- Bring reef shoes or sandals with back straps for the pool. The basalt is slippery.
- Carry cash. There are no ATMs near the falls, and the last reliable one is in Krong Bong town center.
- Sunscreen and a hat matter — the ride is exposed and the highlands sun is sharper than you expect at 500 m elevation.
- Phone signal (Viettel) works at the falls but is patchy on the access road.
- There's a nominal entrance fee of 10,000–20,000 VND collected by a local caretaker, though enforcement is inconsistent.
Common mistakes
Underestimating the distance. People assume "55 km from Buon Ma Thuot" means a quick trip. The road quality and last-mile track add time. Budget a full half-day minimum.
Coming in flip-flops. The trail to the upper tiers is not a boardwalk. Wet basalt plus rubber flip-flops equals a bad afternoon.
Skipping Lak Lake. If you're already driving QL27, stopping at Lak Lake adds maybe 45 minutes and gives you a completely different landscape — still water, M'nong stilt houses, evening mist. It rounds out the day trip well.
Final note
Thac Krong Kmar won't appear on most Central Highlands itineraries, and that's exactly the point. It's not a polished attraction — it's a waterfall in the forest with good swimming and nobody trying to sell you anything. Pair it with Buon Ma Thuot's coffee culture and Lak Lake, and you've got two or three days of quiet highland travel that most visitors to Vietnam never see.
Last updated · May 26, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
