Buzz
Immerse yourself in the cool refreshing waters at the base of Khuổi Nhi waterfall, combined with savoring the last moments of the day on the serene Na Hang Lake, it's an incredibly delightful experience that you'll cherish forever, I guarantee!
Located in Thượng Lâm commune, Lâm Bình district, Tuyên Quang province, Khuổi Nhi waterfall is steeped in a legend of star-crossed lovers who tragically lost each other, leading the maiden to transform into the cascade. Moved by her fate, we decided to visit her one sunny afternoon.
Arriving at Thượng Lâm pier just after 2:00 PM, we decided to rent the most beautiful boat available - the Ngôn Phương Boat warmly welcomes all guests.
Rent a boat at Thượng Lâm pier.
We were greeted by an elderly man named Ngôn, who exuded kindness and embodied the spirit of the Tày people here. After exchanging a few stories, we knew we had found the right person. The boat quickly departed, heading straight to the heart of Na Hang Lake.
The boat sets sail.
As the boat gently glides across the water, we immerse ourselves in the stunning natural scenery, the pressures of urban life swiftly dissipating. Sitting quietly on the boat, our eyes sparkle with the green hues of the mountains and the water, as we inhale the crisp, invigorating air.
The green hues of the mountains and water.
Recreating the 'Titanic style' moment.
Capturing memorable photos on the makeshift boat deck.
Oh, look! There's Khuổi Nhi waterfall! A majestic cascade flowing down from the high peaks between two mountains. Could the path to Khuổi Nhi be as challenging as it seems? No, it's just a poetic encounter along the way.
Waterfall along the way.
There, in the distance, lies Khuổi Nhi awaiting our visit. As the boat slowly docks, the young men swiftly move the boat, traversing a rocky slope straight into the lush forest like a lightning bolt.
Docking to visit Khuổi Nhi waterfall.
After overcoming the first slope, we caught sight of a small waterfall with a sign indicating Khuổi Nhi waterfall. A sense of disappointment weighed heavily on all of us. Could our efforts have only led us this far?
The lower tier of the waterfall.
But no, that's just the bottom tier of the waterfall, the path upward still awaits, beauty awaits us above. We haven't endured hardship yet but demand to meet the beauty already!!!
The path to the next tier.
'blissful as a bee'
Stream trekking.
The Khuổi Nhi waterfall is divided into tiers, each tier resembling the steps of a grand mountain. The large rocks, stacked like someone arranged them, channel the water like giant paper fans. The next destination is the second tier of the staircase.
The second tier of the waterfall.
Many groups choose to stop here, thinking that the path ahead is too long and steep. However, it's regrettable for those who don't continue forward. The heart of Khuổi Nhi waterfall is the well-deserved reward—the most beautiful part of the journey.
There lies the majestic Khuổi Nhi waterfall.
The waterfall cascades from above like the glistening long hair of the sky. When that hair touches the earth, it turns the water into a year-round emerald green, with hints of the sweet fragrance of the mountains. Immersing ourselves in the cool waters at the base of the waterfall helps us easily connect with nature.
Immerse in nature.
And if you're curious about what lies behind the waterfall but can't swim, don't worry too much. Just rent a life jacket and a boat to paddle inwards. Give it a try, I guarantee you'll remember it for a lifetime.
Explore behind the waterfall.
'service'
Foot massage with stream fish.
Our wish to visit the enchanting Khuổi Nhi fulfilled, we decided to return to the boat to witness the sunset. The boat gently departed, taking us back to the heart of the lake. In the distance stands the sacred 'Cọc Vài' buffalo tether, where it's said wishes are granted. The three young men with me only wished for one thing: to find their life partners.
The sacred 'Cọc Vài' buffalo tether.
The sun still shines intensely, high in the sky. We decided to wander around to find a beautiful spot to admire the sunset.
Wandering around Cọc Vài.
A series of small mountains shaped like a turtle has captured our attention. We decided to choose this location to embrace the last moments of the day.
The mountain range shaped like a turtle.
While waiting, a series of photos from low to high positions were continuously taken. However, the most impressive to me is the meditation photo on the Cọc Vài rock.
Meditating on Cọc Vài rock.
Finally, as the sun gradually disappeared behind the mountains, the scene of a fading sunset appeared before us. The annoying dark clouds at the end of the horizon seemed to want to bring sadness to us. But they were wrong; we happily embraced that moment and took the final photos before returning home.
Soulful moments with the sunset.
'Lady Khuổi Nhi'And you? Come to Na Hang Lake as soon as possible to bring a touch of nature back to the city.
Sample itinerary (2 days 1 night)
Day 0:
From Hanoi, take the Bao Yen sleeper bus to Na Hang town. Hotline: 0974095333. From the town to Na Tong Village is about 30 km, you can rent a motorbike or take the Sam Suu bus: 0971504456. Spend the night at a homestay in Na Tong Village.
Day 1:
Have breakfast at the homestay or visit the Thượng Lâm commune market. Depart at 8:00 AM to Thượng Lâm pier to rent a boat for a tour on Na Hang Lake, visit Coc Vai, Na Hang hydroelectric plant, and Phia Vai cave. Have lunch on the boat (pre-arranged by the homestay). In the afternoon, visit Khuoi Nhi waterfall and enjoy the sunset on the lake. You can camp at Coc Chay beach or return to the homestay for the night.
Day 2:
Wake up early and head to Thượng Lâm pier to take a boat out to the lake to watch the sunrise. If you go early like this, you need to contact the boat in advance and be prepared to have instant noodles on the boat. Then, cross over Pác Tạ mountain before reaching the foot of Nặm Me waterfall to conquer it. The journey takes about 5 - 6 hours round trip. Try to return by 1:00 PM for lunch at the homestay (pre-booked). At 2:00 PM, take the bus down to Na Hang town to catch the 3:00 PM Bao Yen bus. If you're late, you have two options: take the 9:00 PM Bao Yen bus or take the Sam Suu bus departing at 4:00 PM to Tuyen Quang city, then catch a bus back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi by 10:30 PM.
Homestay in Na Tong Village
Personally, I find Tài Ngào Homestay quite amazing. Here, you can pre-order meals and cultural exchange programs if interested. Our group booked at 150,000 VND per person per meal, enjoying delicious local ethnic dishes.
Renting a boat at Thượng Lâm pier
You can ask the homestays to arrange boat rentals for you or negotiate directly at Thượng Lâm pier. Prices are usually calculated per day: 1.5 million VND/day for a full-day trip or 0.8 – 1.0 million VND for a half-day trip. Some boat services:
Some Notes
Mytour Golocal presents a blog series introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, as part of the Mytour Go & Share program. This is an excellent opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and the chance to become a Mytour Contributor. For more details, visit: https://trv.lk/golocal
