Coming to Sapa, tourists will admire many attractive spots like the terraced fields along the mountainside or enjoy the attractive cuisine here. However, the destination that you cannot ignore is Thac Bac Waterfall – another name Silver Waterfall located about 15km from Sapa town towards Lai Chau, Dien Bien. It takes about 30 minutes by motorbike or bus. Thac Bac Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam. Silver Waterfall is likened to a violin of water pouring a lively sound among the Northwest mountains.
1. Location
Thac Bac Waterfall is located at the foot of O Quy pass, about 12km from Sapa town – right on Highway 4D towards Dien Bien – Lai Chau. This is also the main route to Lai Chau, so the way to visit is quite convenient.
Possessing an impressive height of 200m, Thac Bac Waterfall is upstream of the famous Muong Hoa stream. The water has the name because of the white bubbles splashing when the waterfall down from the height of 200m to create a silver strip of iridescence. On the way here, visitors can’t help falling in love with the beautiful scenery of the vast pine forest. Far away is the hillside covered with the color of wild roses blooming in four seasons.
Thac Bac Waterfall is most beautiful in the floating season (from April – to May). The floating season has another name flood season, which happens in the summer. If visiting Thac Bac Waterfall in the winter, you will admire a white snow scene because this palace is one of the places with the heaviest snowfall in Sapa. There is nothing more wonderful than being able to admire the tiny white bubbles and have the opportunity to experience a snowy winter right in the middle of the tropics.
2. The violin of the Northwest mountain in Vietnam
Exploring Silver Waterfall is an absolutely emotional journey that you will never forget. The landscape along the mountain and forest is about the vast pine forests, the rubber plantations stretching on the towering hillsides, the endless green rice fields all year round… Everywhere is covered by the green of a strong life of nature. Looking at the scenery of the mountains and forests makes people become calmer, more peaceful.
At Thac Bac Waterfall, you will feel like being lost in a wonderland with the vitality of colorful and colorful things, allowing yourself to forget about worries and sorrows. The water flows strongly, pouring straight from above and sending white foam like clouds at the foot of the waterfall. Each drop of water is like pearls, sparkling rainbow colors in the sun.
In the sunny day, standing from Ham Rong Mountain, Thac Bac Waterfall is like a silver thread sparkling brightly and making people not distinguish whether the sliver thread is in real or just in a dream. When in the winter, the whole waterfall is covered with a layer of dense snow up to 15 cm thick. That is the reason why Thac Bac Waterfall is considered one of the most beautiful places to watch the snow fall in Vietnam and attracts many people.
Getting closer to the waterfall, you can hear the sound of water flowing more and more sobbing. From far, the sound is like a song of the violin but when arriving, the sound turns into a full song of heroism. Many people have recorded the sound and made it become the inspiration for many ADM’s music throughout the world.
Near the foot of the slope leading to Thac Bac Waterfall is a salmon hatchery center supplying a large amount of fresh salmon to restaurants in Sapa and a cold-water seafood research station in Vietnam. Also not far from the waterfall, only about 2km is Tram Ton – where you can start the journey to conquer Fansipan peak – the roof of Indochina.
3. Some famous destinations near Thac Bac Waterfall
3.1. Muong Hoa stream
A beautiful stream with a length of up to 15 km flows through Muong Hoa Valley and stops at Ho village. The poetic space with the full green of the mountains and forests mixed together the murmuring sound of a stream like love songs makes people fall in love at the first time.
3.2. O Quy Ho Pass
Known as one of the four great peaks of the Northwest Pass in Vietnam, O Quy Ho Pass fascinates everyone at first sight. From the top of O Quy Ho pass, you can see the panoramic of Hoang Lien Son mountain range and feel like seeing a part of the world. Walking on the pass is like getting lost in a fairyland with also the clouds drifting gently under your feet. You can also stand on this side to look at Lai Chau and the Lao Cai side is covered with fog, see the sun raise up and down… The natural scenery here has inspired many photographers to create beautiful contemporary artwork.
3.3. Sapa Heaven Gate
Heaven Gate is located near Tram Ton and not far from Thac Bac Waterfall. The road to Heaven’s Gate is difficult and dangerous but it is the goal of many people like trekking and conquering the world. Sapa Heaven Gate has made many newspapers around the world spend a lot of paper praising and evaluating as one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam.
3.4. Transform into an ethnic mountain
It is a great idea to experience and take photos to make a memory for your journey. The time before sunset is the flawless time for you to do that. Some interesting activities must be mentioned in Thac Bac such as camping, catching fish, taking pictures with H’Mong girls in their traditional costumes.
Read more: Sapa Heaven’s Gate: Heaven in cloud
3.5. Admire the terraced fields at Muong Hoa Valley
Follow Thac Bac Waterfall, you will reach Muong Hoa Valley – similed as”paradise on earth” hidden behind the fog. It can be said that this is a beautiful place all year.. Each season in Muong Hoa valley brings a very unique feature. The most beautiful season is the ripe rice season (around September). At this time, Muong Hoa Valley puts on a yellow shirt of ripe, beautiful rice flowers.
If you want to enjoy the fully charming scene in Muong Hoa valley, Lilly’s Travel Agency suggests you should be there at sunrise to enjoy the fresh air and have a panoramic view. The weather in Sapa is quite cold and also in Thac Bac Waterfall. You should prepare clothes to keep warm. In addition, you should wear sports shoes to avoid slipping and falling when visiting the fall.
3.6. Time to stop and explore the local’s inhabitation
After spending almost time at the waterfall, you should go down and enjoy the specialties of Sapa such as trying some unique foods (grilled birds, grilled eggs, grilled pork…) or come to some villages to see the H’Mong ethnic women or Red Dzao in colorful brocade costume. There, you can buy handmade souvenirs such as rings, hats, wallets, and embroidered towels…
Below the waterfall, there is Salmon Farm, where you can see the salmon swimming and try to eat if you want. This is the research station of the largest cold water fishery in Vietnam.
Note: Don’t forget to bring a camera to record the wild beauty of nature on your way and especially a coat to keep you warm when the night falls.
Find out more about Sapa tours here.
