Nestled within the primeval Truong Son mountain range, Ta Puong Waterfall (Trang Ta Puong village, Huong Lap commune) is likened by locals to a white silk ribbon. It pours from a limestone peak over three rock tiers, stretching nearly 200 m.

The lowest tier of the waterfall stands nearly 20 m high. Water pours from above, spreading across the rock faces.

At the base of the waterfall is a clear lake spanning about 5,000 m2, with its deepest point at about 6 m. On sunny days, visitors can swim or kayak on the lake. The cool lake offers a refreshing escape during summer, and several swing chairs are designed directly on its surface, near the shore, for guests to enjoy the scenery.

Ta Puong Waterfall from above. Video: Dac Thanh

Many young people visit Ta Puong for photo opportunities, especially during summer, when the sunny and hot weather is ideal. Ngo Huyen, from Dong Hoi ward, noted that visiting the waterfall offers trekking under the forest canopy and across rocky areas. She highlighted the waterfall's clear, turquoise lake as a unique feature many other waterfalls lack. "The huts and bridges around the waterfall are all made from bamboo and leaves, making them very eco-friendly," she added.

Nguyen Thi Lanh, residing in Ben Hai commune, Quang Tri, shared that this was her second visit to Ta Puong Waterfall. After enjoying the delicious dishes prepared by the Van Kieu people, she said, "I really enjoy the grilled chicken and grilled stream fish here, dipped in the spicy chili salt; it's very flavorful. The dishes are also beautifully presented on bamboo platters and banana leaves, which is very appealing and eco-friendly."

Beyond Ta Puong Waterfall, numerous smaller cascades flow downstream along the stream, weaving through moss-covered rocks.

Along both sides of the stream leading to the waterfall, Van Kieu locals have built bamboo huts for visitors to rest and enjoy local cuisine. Ta Puong is developed for ecotourism by a community of 18 local households. These simple bamboo and leaf huts amidst the mountains not only preserve traditional aesthetics but also create livelihoods for the residents.

Local specialties such as grilled chicken, stream fish, wild vegetables, and upland sticky rice are prepared by the Van Kieu people.

Ho Van Gioi, head of the Trang Ta Puong village community tourism group, stated that annually from March, community members gather to repair and build huts, preparing facilities for tourists. This is because floodwaters during each rainy season damage the structures.

"Profits are distributed equally among households, with each family earning an average of 4 million VND per month during the operational season. This is only a supplementary income, not yet stable enough to ensure long-term livelihoods," he explained. Ta Puong Waterfall is open to visitors from March to July.

After exploring, visitors gather in the leaf huts by the stream, enjoying local specialties. On holidays, the waterfall welcomes hundreds of tourists.

The head of the Trang Ta Puong village community tourism group noted that the biggest current challenge is that visitors must walk to the waterfall, and the path is frequently eroded by floods. Additionally, locals involved in tourism lack formal training. Households primarily contribute labor, without capital support for developing service facilities. Each year, Gioi has to advance funds for investment, facility repairs, and purchasing supplies and food.

"Residents hope local authorities will support transport infrastructure, improve telecommunication signals, provide tourism skills training, and facilitate access to capital for the tourism group. With investment, the ability to serve and attract more visitors will increase, helping to boost household incomes and foster sustainable tourism while protecting natural resources," Gioi stated.

The waterfall is located nearly three hours by car from the center of Quang Tri province, via the North-South Expressway, then turning onto the western branch of Ho Chi Minh Road. To reach it, visitors drive to Trang Ta Puong village, then walk nearly 1 km along the stream, crossing rocky terrain under the forest canopy.

Dac Thanh