If you are planning to embark on a Vietnam travel journey, Dray Nur Waterfall in Dak Lak should be at the top of your bucket list. We will walk you through all you need to know about this majestic waterfall for you to make the most out of your trip.
1. Location of Dray Nur Waterfall
Located approximately 25 kilometers away from Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province, Dray Nur Waterfall is a must-see attraction in the Central Highlands. Follow National Road 14 towards the border between the provinces of Dak Lak and Dak Nong, then travel an additional 12 kilometers, and you will arrive at Dray Nur Waterfall. This waterfall is formed by the confluence of the Krong Ana and Krong No rivers, which create the legendary Serepok River. With towering rock walls, the waterfall plunges from a height of over 30 meters, creating a magnificent yet poetic scene.
2. Legend of Dray Nur Waterfall, Dak Lak
Unlike other waterfalls in Vietnam, Dray Nur Waterfall is associated with two different legends, each with a distinct explanation for its name.
In one legend, Dray Nur means "the waterfall of love" and is linked to a tragic love story. Long ago, a young couple from two different villages deeply loved each other but faced opposition due to their communities' conflicts. Rejected by their villagers and unable to reconcile the disputes, they leaped into the river to be together forever. Enraged by the villagers' selfishness leading to the young couple's tragic decision, a thunderstorm arose and the river surged, splitting into two branches and separating the two villages.
In the other legend, the origin of Dray Nur Waterfall comes from a cave behind it, which was believed to be the dwelling place of the Water Deity. The deity had a son named Nur, an adventurous prince who enjoyed exploring. One day, he encountered two beautiful princesses from a neighboring kingdom who were living in poverty, having lost their father. Touched by their hardship, Nur followed one of them home, performed a spell to fill their house with abundant rice, and lived happily with her.
After some time, Nur yearned to visit his underwater palace to see his father. However, his wife feared that he would never return, so she did everything to keep him from leaving. With no other choice, Nur transformed into a golden dragonfly and flew through the water curtain into the cave to visit his father. His wife waited outside, but sadly, he never returned. Since then, the locals have called this waterfall Dray Nur, meaning "the waterfall of the golden dragonfly".
3. The breathtaking beauty of Dray Nur Waterfall
If you are fond of traveling around for sightseeing, Dray Nur Waterfall should be included in your Vietnam itinerary. Upon your arrival at the waterfall, you will see water splashing and mist filling the air, creating a poetic atmosphere. This waterfall is over 250 meters long, with a height of over 30 meters. Here, you can admire not only the waterfall but also the cave behind it, which covers nearly 3,000 square meters. Standing inside the cave and looking out at the long cascade of water enveloping the front creates an otherworldly ambiance. This will be one of the unique experiences that only Dray Nur Waterfall can bring travelers during their exploration in the Central Highlands.
4. Best things to do at Dray Nur Waterfall, Vietnam
4.1. Take a biking - rafting - trekking tour
If you want to experience trekking in Vietnam, consider the tour to explore the waterfalls of Dray Sap Thuong and Dray Nur. This tour combines biking, trekking, and rafting. You will start the tour gently by cycling through the peaceful scenery of Buon Kuop Village. Upon reaching the upper reaches of Dray Sap Thuong Waterfall, you will trek across rocky outcrops and steep mountain slopes, witnessing the creative hand of nature in molding majestic landscapes. After completing the Dray Nur Waterfall hike, you will continue on an inflatable boat downstream the Serepok River, testing your courage as you navigate through rocky rapids and narrow waterways.
4.2. Explore the unique culture of ethnic people
Near Dray Nur Waterfall are the villages of Kuop, Nui, and Tua, inhabited by the Ede people. These villages are where you can find exquisite handwoven textiles, unique agricultural tools, delicious local specialties, and other impressive cultural aspects. If you don't savor the fragrant bamboo-tube rice, flavorful naturally seasoned grilled meat, and a spicy glass of local glutinous rice wine here, you will miss out on a lot. You will also have an opportunity to listen to the locals recounting fascinating legends and witness the graceful dances of the charming E-de girls.
5. Essential things to know for your visit to Dray Nur Waterfall
5.1. Dray Nur Waterfall opening hours & entrance fee
- Entrance fee: 30,000 VND
- Opening hours: 6 am - 6 pm
5.2. How to get there?
- Motorbike: From the city center of Buon Ma Thuot, you can take the route along the streets of Le Duan - To Huu to the People's Committee Building of Dray Sap Commune, then follow Provincial Road 682 for about 9 kilometers to reach the waterfall. Alternatively, you can take National Road 14, then turn left and continue straight for about 10 kilometers to reach the waterfall.
- Bus: Catch the bus number 13 (Buon Ma Thuot - Krong No) at the beginning of Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in the city center of Buon Ma Thuot to reach Dray Nur Waterfall in Dak Lak. Although a bus ride may take longer than going by motorcycle, you won't have to worry about navigation since the bus will stop right at the entrance to the waterfall.
5.3. Best time to visit Dray Nur Waterfall, Dak Lak
The ideal time for you to visit this waterfall is from February to May. During this time, the waterfall splits into multiple smaller streams, resembling the gentle strands of a serene fairy's hair. The weather is dry and suitable for activities like taking Instagram-worthy photos and enjoying outdoor adventures in the surrounding area of the waterfall.
If you want to elevate your trip, remember to visit other breathtaking waterfalls in Dak Lak, such as Trinh Nu Waterfall, Gia Long Waterfall, Thuy Tien Waterfall, and Dray K’nao Waterfall. And don’t forget to check out famous tourist attractions such as Buon Ma Thuot Victory Monument, Lak Lake, Trung Nguyen Coffee Village, etc.
Besides Dak Lak, Vietnam is famous for many other destinations, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hoi An, and Ha Long. To enjoy your trip to the fullest, it is recommended that you book your accommodation at Vinpearl’s hotel and resort system. At Vinpearl, you can indulge yourself in luxurious rooms and integrated facilities like spas, golf courses, etc. Also, don’t forget to discover the incredible entertainment complexes of VinWonders to try fun-filled activities with your friends and family.
>>> Book rooms in Vinpearl Phu Quoc, Vinpearl Nha Trang, Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An, Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long right now to grab some big saves!
All in all, Dray Nur Waterfall is a breathtaking waterfall in Dak Lak that you must check out if you want to enrich your Vietnamese trip. This waterfall is famous not only for its beauty but also for its mysterious legends, the interesting biking - rafting - trekking tours, and the villages nearby.
