Bao Dai waterfall in the wilderness of Dalat

Days and nights the waterfall rumbles and spreads white foams into the quiet space in the forests as if a legendary story were repeatedly told Bao Dai waterfall (Ta Hine commune, Duc Trong district) a mysterious, beautiful but neglected landscape very few people know about…

Mysterious legend of Bao Dai waterfall

From Da Lat along National Road 20 to the direction of Ho Chi Minh city about 60 km, people will see Ta Hine junction on the left; moving further to approximately 10 km, you’ll see Bao Dai waterfall. The Waterfall is located in Ta Hine commune, Duc Trong district-where the ethnic minority people are living. Bao Dai Waterfall was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information(now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) as the national scenic spot in 2000 and 2003 Currently, Bao Dai waterfall is still wild and intact, undisturbed…

Bao Dai Waterfall is called Jraiblian, meaning the”high rock waterfall” and many people call it the”Neglected waterfall for very few people come here except during t or holidays, the local people go sightseeing, or have meals together; recently, the youth living in this area organized outdoor activities or camping trips…

Bao Dai falls

The forming of this waterfallis associated with a mythological story: Legend has it that there was a young man working as fisherman, One day, the boy did not catch any fish, being too hungry, he discovered a large egg in a small cave beside a stream, he took it and boiled and ate a piece… Unfortunately, he itched all over his body, so, he went down to soak his body in the spring; amazingly, his body got gradually bigger and then he turned into a huge crocodile lying astride the stream, sticking out its long tongue, and the water overflowed its tongue making a musical sound better than the guitar sound; the musical sound infatuated all species of animals and the people in the area, they stopped their work to listen until they died of hunger. Human corpses and animal cadavers were piled up as rocks at the foot of the waterfall, so people call it the High rock waterfall…

In the 1950s of the last century, Da Lat was the land of the royal court, King Bao Dai-the last king of Vietnam feudal dynasties during a hunting trip had set foot on this waterfall; since then the High Rock Waterfall was named after King Bao Dai’s name.

The neglected scenic spot

The High Rock Waterfall – Bao Dai Waterfall nestles amid a quiet primeval forest, from the high cliff almost 100 m, the large flow of water is divided into three tributaries, pouring water directly into the deep waterfall bottom; 3 tributaries are like three strips of silver silk shining under the sun, rushing down to the waterfall bottom, creating a resounding echo across the forest; at 3 km away from the waterfall you still hear the rumbling echo. Because the water falls from a high altitude, the waterfall roars noisily and the white water sprinkles up the whole area. Stretching at the foot of the waterfall is a large rocky ground, with large boulders evoking the thrilling imagination of tourists about human corpses and fossil animals.

The path leading down to Bao Dai Waterfall runs zigzag, with jagged stone steps covered with dry leaves and very wet. An old acacia tree with twisted branches, reaching out to form the front porch to the waterfall; many towering old trunks let drop large roots, twisted together to create the”handrails” for tourists to cling to and”creep” slowly into the waterfall. In contrast to the rolling movement of the waterfall, the scenery along the bank is very romantic with the bamboo trees, green plants and trees overgrowing on the ground; from January to mid-summer each year, on the high trunks, clusters of white orchid bloom, swaying in the wind spreading their subtly sweet scent in the mountains space…

Bao Dai waterfall in the wilderness

The entrance to Bao Dai Waterfall is also very unique, people must slip through the narrow alley like a tunnel, both sides are steep cliffs, sometimes, they catch sight of the forest vines of bend, curly shape, embracing the cliffs, dropping their long arms down to the waterfall. Entering deeper, the walkway expands, taking root to the rocks; some areas are aboutn15-25m2, relatively flat, very convenient for taking a rest, camping, picnic, relaxation… The inside temperature is markedly different from the outside temperature: The air is humid and very cool, if you are not familiar with the cool weather you will feel cold…

The Board of Directors of the Bao Dai Waterfall Eco-tourism resort said that they have invested VND 10 billion to this site but mainly for the design, construction of such work items as the entrance gate, rest stops, thatched roof restaurant garden, bonsais and ornamental plants, toilets…

Indeed, if you observe the road leading down to Bao Dai Waterfall, you see that the company has built anti-slip stone steps to reduce rugged path and avoid danger to tourists; along the stream banks is the railing for tourists to cling on, several rest stops But all are covered with dry leaves and moss due to less frequented people. Perhaps, Bao Dai Waterfall is located in a remote area, off the beaten track and not yet widely known, despite more than 10 years exploitation, so far this magnificent landscape still remains… neglected!

The paradox is such a masterpiece of nature keeping its wild and spectacular characteristic that exists in the Western Highlands an invaluable gift to man as Bao Dai Waterfall cannot attract tourists Apparently, the promotion and introduction of this scenic management unit is not effective yet or needs more support from the authorities to help Bao Dai Waterfall become an attractive tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists.