Journey To Dray Sap Waterfall: An Epic Adventure in the Central Highlands

Located in the west near the Cambodian and Lao borders, the central highlands’ fertile red soils yield considerable natural resources, such as coffee, tea, rubber, silk, and hardwood.

Photo: Saostar

The Central Highlands never ceases to amaze tourists around Vietnam with majestic natural beauty, and extraordinary experiences that you haver have before. This wonderful land always presented itself in many folklores, and in the famous children’s song called “The Little Elephant in Ban Don”. It is where tourists can also visit the vast coffee gardens and the gorgeous waterfalls.

Photo: Vntrip

There are many beautiful waterfalls with folklores and legacy tales about them that became the pride of the Central Highlands in Dak Nong. One of them is Dray Sap waterfall, which is located in Dak Sor Commune, Krong No District, Dak Nong Province.

Dray Sap waterfall is located in Nam Ha, Krong K’No District, Dak Nong Province, and also borders Dak Lak Province. The waterfall was created by the tectonic plates falling down a long time ago, forming a valley that cut across the river. Thus, Dray Sap was formed. It has a length of 100m, with a height of 50m that makes an impressive scene as the majestic water flowing from above, which creates a cloud-like smoke. That is why it got the name “Dray Sap”, which means “Smoke”.

Photo: Saostar

Dray Sap waterfall has been ranked as a National Scenic Destination in 1993. It is considered both a familiar camping spot of local people, and an attraction for tourists to enjoy and explore.

One of the things that attract visitors and young travelers is the fairytale of the Dray Sap waterfall. Legend has it that in the past, the Srepok river was just an ordinary river stream flowing through the land, and became the boundary of two villages here. However, a young girl and man from the villages fell in love with each other, but could not be together because of rushing river and the strong disapproval of their families. Desperate from the separation, the two lovebirds committed suicide as they drowned themselves in the river, so they could be together on the other side for eternity. From that moment, the flow became aggressive with dangerous strong waves, splitting the river into two different branches, and one of them created the majestic Dray Sap waterfall that we see today.

Photo: @Lâm Tuyền

The best time to visit the Dray Sap waterfall is at the end of winter and the beginning of the spring, from January to February, when the leaves fall, leaving the dry branches waiting for the new coat of leaves to grow back again.

This is also the time that tourists can see two different pictures in one scene: One is the grey, dry branches, and the other is the gorgeous waterfall, symbolizing the strength and life of the ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands.

Photo: @menphamm

Aside from the waterfall, the areas around it also have a lot of beautiful natural spots and wild forests for young travellers to explore and discover the pristine side of the Central Highlands.

The road to the waterfall is easy to access, along with the way to the restaurants and other convenient services for tourists.

Photo: Saostar

Tourists can visit the traditional longhouse of Ede ethnic minorities with full facilities, or a quiet and private duplex. There is also a camping section for people who enjoy the freedom and fresh air of the garden.

Nothing is more perfect than lighting up the campfire, gathering around, singing or playing fun games, and enjoying the Central Highlands’s traditional wines.