Locals liken the waterfall to a silk ribbon that flows down three tiers of rocks.
The lowest is 20 meters high, with water spreading across the rock face before plunging into the pool below.
At the foot of the fall is a 5,000-square-meter pool reaching depths of around six meters. Visitors can swim or kayak there on sunny days.
Ta Puong Waterfall: hidden gem in central Vietnam
Ta Puong Waterfall viewed from the above. Video by VnExpress/Dac Thanh
Swing seats have been installed near the shore, allowing visitors to hover around the water.
Many travelers come to Ta Puong to take photographs.
Ngo Huyen, a visitor from Quang Tri Province, says reaching the waterfall involves trekking through trails and terrain. She describes the emerald-green pool as a standout feature compared to other waterfalls in the country.
Beyond Ta Puong, the stream flows down smaller waterfalls.
Along the stream leading to the waterfall, members of the Van Kieu ethnic community have built bamboo huts where visitors can rest.
Ta Puong is operated as an eco-tourism site by 18 local families.
The bamboo shelters preserve traditional character while providing incomes to the owners.
Specialty foods offered by the Van Kieu community include grilled chicken, wild vegetables, and sticky rice.
Ho Van Gioi, head of the community tourism group in Trang Ta Puong Village, says locals gather every year in March to repair huts and prepare facilities for visitors after the annual floods.
“Profits are shared among households, with each family earning an average of about VND4 million (US$152) per month during the tourism season.”
Ta Puong Waterfall is open to visitors from March to July, to avoid cold weather and typhoon season.
After exploring the area, visitors often sit in the huts to enjoy the local food. During holidays, the waterfall gets hundreds of tourists daily.
Nguyen Thi Lanh, a resident of Quang Tri Province, says this is her second visit to Ta Puong.
“I love the chicken and fish served with spicy chili salt. The dishes are presented on bamboo trays and banana leaves, making me feel very close to nature.”
According to Gioi, one of the biggest challenges is the route, which requires visitors to walk one kilometer through paths that are frequently eroded after the annual rains and floods.
Locals have not received training in tourism, and most contribute labor without getting official financial support to improve things. Gioi says every year, he advances money for repairs, equipment, and food supplies.
“Residents hope authorities can improve roads, phone signals, tourism training, and access to funding for the community tourism group.
“Investment will help attract more visitors, raise incomes, and support sustainable tourism while protecting nature.”
Ta Puong Waterfall is located three hours by road from downtown Quang Tri via the North-South Expressway before visitors need to turn onto the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway.
They then continue on foot for a kilometer to reach the waterfall.
