1 Day Khuoi My – Lung Vai Waterfall Trekking
1 Day Khuoi My – Lung Vai Waterfall trekking price
Trekking price
From $129
Booking Payment
This part sets out how bookings are made, confirmed, and paid for 1 Day Khuoi My – Lung Vai Waterfall Trekking. It must be read together with Part B (Cancellation, Postponement & Refund) and Part C (Terms & Amendments).
How to Book
Send your enquiry to info@tvpalm.com or WhatsApp +84 366 885 955. Office: 677 Lac Long Quan, Tay Ho, Hanoi. Hotline +84 366 885 955. We reply within 24 hours on working days. TVPalm will confirm availability, send a detailed quotation, and issue a booking invoice. The booking is confirmed only when the deposit is received and acknowledged by TVPalm in writing via email.
Deposit
| Tier | Deposit | Payment Deadline |
| Tier 2 — Village Trekking | 30% of total price | Within 72 hours of confirmed quotation |
- Bookings within 30 days of departure: deposit is due immediately.
- Deposit transfer: Deposits are non-refundable but transferable to another TVPalm Adventure experience or TVPalm Ecolodge stay within 6 months, provided written cancellation is received at least 15 days before the original departure date.
- Availability: Transfer is subject to availability and the price difference (if any) of the new booking.
Balance Payment
The remaining 70% of the total price is due at least 14 days before departure.
If the balance is not received by the deadline, TVPalm reserves the right to treat the booking as cancelled under Part B (Cancellation Policy).
Payment Methods
All prices are quoted in USD. VND payment is accepted at the exchange rate on the date of payment. For international guests, we accept three online transfer methods — fees differ significantly, so please choose the one that works best for you.
International Transfer — Wise, Revolut or PayPal
| Method | Typical Fee | Speed | Best For |
| Wise | ~0.5–1% (lowest) | Same day to 1 day | Most guests — best exchange rate |
| Revolut | ~0.5–1% (low) | Same day | Revolut account holders |
| PayPal | 4–5% (high) | Instant | Guests without Wise/Revolut only |
PayPal fees are charged to the guest. We recommend Wise or Revolut to keep more of your money for the trip.
- Wise & Revolut — send to: TVPALM CO., LTD, account 912325653157 — LPBank, Ha Giang Branch. Select “Business or charity” when setting up the transfer.
- PayPal — contact info@tvpalm.com or WhatsApp +84 366 885 955. We send a secure PayPal invoice with the total including the 4–5% processing fee stated up front.
Bank Transfer (Domestic)
- Account Holder: TVPALM CO., LTD
- Account Number: 912325653157
- Bank: LPBank — Ha Giang Branch
- Transfer description: [Your Full Name] – [Experience Name] – [Date]
After transferring, send a photo of your receipt via WhatsApp or email for confirmation.
Transfers from outside Vietnam: Wise or Revolut is the cheapest and fastest route. If your bank requires SWIFT details for an international wire, email info@tvpalm.com and we will send the full beneficiary details in writing before you transfer. Never act on bank details sent to you from any other address.
Card Payment
- Online: we send a secure payment link for Visa, Mastercard, or Amex. A processing fee of 2.7–3.0% applies depending on the provider.
- On-site (POS) at TVPalm Ecolodge (Khuoi My, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang) or the Hanoi office (677 Lạc Long Quan, Tay Ho, Hanoi): cash (VND or USD) and card accepted. Card payments via the POS machine are subject to a 2.7–3.0% processing fee.
Quotation Validity
Quoted prices are valid for 7 days from the date of the quotation. After 7 days, TVPalm reserves the right to adjust prices due to changes in transport costs, permit fees, or seasonal demand. Confirmed bookings (deposit paid and acknowledged) are locked at the quoted price.
Group Bookings
- Groups of 4 or more guests: 5% discount on the total price.
- Groups of 6 or more guests: 10% discount on the total price.
- Base rate: Group discounts apply to the base adult rate and cannot be combined with other promotions.
- Booking contact: One guest in the group is designated as the booking contact for all communication and policy matters.
Insurance
Tier 2 — Village Trekking
Personal travel insurance covering trekking activities is strongly recommended. TVPalm will ask for insurance details at booking but will not refuse participation for lack of proof.
All tiers: PVI Inbound Insurance — basic accident cover — is included in the price. This does not fully cover trekking, altitude sickness, or emergency medical evacuation. It is a safety net, not a substitute for personal insurance.
Pricing — Children
Child pricing follows the TVPalm Child Policy published at tvpalm.com/policy/. Key points for this experience:
Children aged 12 and above are accepted with parental supervision. The minimum age for this route is 12 — see “Who should join?” for why. Children under 12 are not accepted on this experience.
Health & Fitness Requirements
Form required: Medical Self-Declaration Form — must be completed at booking.
Guests with serious joint or cardiovascular conditions should contact TVPalm before booking. Guests over 65: talk to TVPalm first for an honest assessment.
Cancellation, Postponement, and Refund Policy (EU-Friendly)
TVPalm prepares every journey weeks before departure: guides, porters (where applicable), homestays, permits, meals, and local partners in Khuoi My, Lung Vai, Xa Phin, Mao Phin, and Nam Te. Many of these commitments are locked in early and cannot be reversed. This policy exists so guests understand what they are committing to, and so the local people who work with TVPalm do not carry the loss when a booking is cancelled at short notice.
Non-refundable Deposit: 30%
A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total price is required to confirm the booking. Deposit must be paid within 72 hours of receiving the confirmed quotation. For bookings made within 30 days of departure, deposit is due immediately.
The deposit reflects early commitments with local Dao guides, homestay families (where applicable), and community partners. The deposit may be transferred to another TVPalm Adventure experience or a TVPalm Ecolodge stay within 6 months, provided written cancellation is received at least 15 days before the original departure date.
Cancellation Schedule
Time of cancellation is measured from the date TVPalm receives written notification at info@tvpalm.com.
| Time before departure | Refund |
| 30 days or more | 70% refund of total price (deposit forfeited) |
| 15 – 29 days | 40% refund of total price |
| 7 – 14 days | 20% refund of total price |
| Less than 7 days / no-show | No refund |
Flexible Postponement
TVPalm encourages guests to postpone rather than cancel whenever possible.
- 15 days or more before departure: one free postponement within 6 months, subject to guide, weather, and community availability.
- 7 – 14 days before departure: postponement accepted with a 20% adjustment fee.
- Less than 7 days before departure: postponement subject to written approval; non-recoverable costs may apply.
Additional Requirements
- Insurance: personal travel insurance covering trekking activities is strongly recommended. TVPalm will not refuse participation for lack of proof.
- Medical Self-Declaration: mandatory at booking. Failure to complete: no trek, with standard cancellation terms.
Cancellation by the Guest
Cancellation for personal reasons within the guest’s control — change of plans, personal scheduling, international flight cancellation, visa denial, or guest illness before departure — is handled under the Cancellation Schedule (Section B2). These situations are not force majeure and, where insurable, should be covered by the guest’s personal travel insurance. TVPalm always encourages postponement (Section B3) over cancellation.
Cancellation Due to Weather & Trail Safety
Mountain weather is the most common reason a trekking or walk is affected. TVPalm follows a safety-first rule that never bends to close a booking:
- Guide authority: the lead guide may reroute, shorten, or turn back a group due to heavy rain, fog, landslide risk, flooded streams, or unsafe trail conditions. That decision is final and is made for guest safety, not convenience.
- If the experience cannot start because conditions are unsafe: TVPalm offers free postponement with the deposit carried forward, an alternative date, or an alternative itinerary of equivalent value.
- If the experience is interrupted mid-way for safety reasons: TVPalm assists with a safe return and offers to rebook the remaining portion on another departure at no additional service fee, subject to availability. Unused portions already delivered are non-refundable (Section B11).
- Normal mountain weather — mist, cold, light rain, cloud cover that hides the view — is part of the experience and is not grounds for cancellation or refund. We state this honestly before you book: the summit and the sea of clouds are a chance, never a promise.
Force Majeure (Objective External Events)
If events beyond the control of either party — natural disasters, floods, landslides, road closures, typhoons or prolonged severe weather, epidemics, government restrictions, border closures, or serious medical emergencies (with valid documentation) — prevent the experience from proceeding, TVPalm will offer:
- (a) Free postponement to a later date with the deposit fully carried forward.
- (b) An alternative itinerary of equivalent value where possible.
- (c) Partial refund after deducting non-recoverable costs already incurred at the time of cancellation.
Non-recoverable costs for this experience typically include: village entry permits already issued, homestay reservations locked in with Dao host families, prepaid guide fees, food already purchased for the trek, and non-refundable transport deposits. In case (c), TVPalm will provide a written breakdown of deducted costs upon request.
Cancellation by TVPalm
- Internal reasons (staffing, scheduling, minimum-numbers not met): full 100% refund — including the deposit — plus the option of free rescheduling at no additional cost.
- Safety, weather, or external reasons: Sections B6 (Weather & Trail Safety) and B7 (Force Majeure) apply.
- TVPalm’s approach: we will always try to offer an alternative date or itinerary before refunding.
Written Request
All cancellation, postponement, or change requests must be submitted in writing to info@tvpalm.com. Zalo and WhatsApp messages are not valid until confirmed by email. The effective cancellation date is the date TVPalm receives and confirms the written request.
Refund Processing
- Timeline: approved refunds are processed within 15 to 30 business days from the date TVPalm confirms the cancellation in writing.
- Payment method: refunds are issued to the same payment method used for the original booking.
- Bank fees: international bank transfer fees are the guest’s responsibility.
No Refund for Unused Services
No refund is provided for unused portions of the experience — meals not taken, nights not stayed (if applicable), activities not joined — whether by guest choice or by circumstances within the guest’s control.
If the interruption is caused by a guide decision for safety reasons, TVPalm will offer to rebook the remaining service on another available departure at no additional service fee, subject to availability.
Special Conditions
International Travelers
If you can provide written proof of flight changes or airline cancellation, TVPalm offers an additional 3-month postponement window beyond the standard 6-month window. Proof (airline confirmation, boarding pass change, cancellation email) must be submitted with the postponement request.
Repeat Guests
Guests who have completed a previous TVPalm Adventure or TVPalm Ecolodge booking are entitled to:
- One free postponement without the adjustment fee, even within the shorter notice window.
- Priority rescheduling on the new date, subject to guide, weather, and community availability.
- The Medical Self-Declaration Form is still required for the rescheduled departure.
Terms & Amendments
Scope
These Terms & Amendments cover the general conditions of participation, communication, and changes made to a confirmed booking for 1 Day Khuoi My – Lung Vai Waterfall Trekking. They must be read together with Part A (Booking & Payment) and Part B (Cancellation, Postponement & Refund). In the event of any inconsistency, the tier-specific section in Part B takes precedence.
Notification
All requests for cancellation, postponement, amendment, or substitution must be submitted in writing to info@tvpalm.com. This is the only official channel of record. Zalo, WhatsApp, Telegram, and other instant messaging channels are used for coordination but have no contractual effect until confirmed by TVPalm via email.
Amendment
Amendment means a change to the services within a confirmed booking — guide language preference, additional or fewer participants, meal preferences, accommodation upgrade, or similar. Amendment is not the same as postponement (change of date) or cancellation.
- More than 15 days before departure: amendments are free of charge, subject to availability.
- 15 days or less before departure: an amendment fee of VND 1,000,000 (flat) applies, to cover re-arranging logistics, permits, and local coordination.
- Additional cost: any additional cost of the new service is charged on top of the amendment fee.
- Not arrangeable: if a requested amendment cannot be arranged, TVPalm will notify the guest in writing. If agreed, the request is treated as a cancellation under Part B.
Participant Substitution
A booking may be transferred to another person free of charge, provided the request is made in writing at least 5 days before departure — because homestay paperwork must be updated.
The new participant must:
- Meet the health and fitness requirements (Part A, Section A9).
- Complete the required Medical Self-Declaration Form.
- Provide passport and visa details for international guests.
- Hold valid insurance under the conditions in Part A, Section A7, if the experience requires it.
During the Experience
- Guide authority: guides have the final authority on all safety-related decisions during the experience — including trail reroutes, early returns, and group pacing. That decision is final.
- Guest conduct: guests are expected to follow safety instructions and briefings at all times. Failure to do so may result in the experience being discontinued for that guest without refund.
- Interruption: if a guest is unable to continue due to health, safety, or personal reasons, the guide will assist with a safe return to the nearest village, Ecolodge, or transport hub. Unused portions are non-refundable (Section B11).
- Extra costs: any additional cost incurred (extra nights, private transport, medical treatment) is the responsibility of the guest and their travel insurance.
Leave No Trace
All trekking and walks operate under TVPalm’s Leave No Trace policy. Single-use plastic is not permitted on the trail. TVPalm provides reusable water bottles and refill points. Guests who bring single-use plastic will be asked to leave it at the Ecolodge before departure. This is enforced, not requested.
Intellectual Property & Photography
Guests consent to TVPalm using photos and videos taken during the experience for marketing and editorial purposes, unless the guest notifies TVPalm in writing before departure. Drone use is not permitted without TVPalm’s prior written approval and compliance with Vietnamese aviation regulations.
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These terms are governed by the laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Disputes will be resolved first through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved within 30 days, the matter may be referred to the competent court in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Language
TVPalm may issue policy documents in English and Vietnamese. In the event of any discrepancy, the English text prevails for international bookings and the Vietnamese text prevails for domestic bookings.
Policy Updates
TVPalm may update these terms seasonally, particularly during the rainy season (June–September). The current version is published on tvpalm.com. For bookings already confirmed, the terms in effect at the time of booking apply, unless the change is required by law or by a matter of safety.
Experience information
Duration
1 Day
Group size
2 - 8 guests
Difficulty
Moderate
Daily distance
16.7 km on foot · the waterfall sits at 9.1 km along the route, 590 m elevation
Language
English / Vietnamese
Start/End
Khuoi My gate from about 08:40, back at the shelters about 17:45. TVPalm Ecolodge (Option 1) or your hotel in Ha Giang city (Option 2)
Transport
On foot. Motorbike ride back to the Ecolodge if you want it (Option 1) · car pick-up on the main road after the falls (Option 2)
Accommodation
None — this is a day experience. A night at TVPalm Ecolodge before or after can be added
One day on foot from TVPalm Ecolodge, out through the Dao Ao Dai villages of Khuoi My and Lung Vai and down to Lung Vai Waterfall, then back. Sixteen point seven kilometres in all. The morning belongs to the village: black pigs and deer, black cardamom under the forest canopy, rice wine off a wood fire, and Shan Tuyet tea you pick and fire yourself in a wok. Lunch is cooked with the family who host you, in a shelter looking down at Ha Giang city. The waterfall sits at 590 metres, the lowest point of the day — which means everything after it is uphill. This is a full day of walking and we would rather you knew that before you booked.
Khuoi My – Lung Vai experience highlights
- Shan Tuyet tea trees that have stood here for centuries — the families who tend them will tell you the eldest are close to a thousand years, and nobody has ever cut one down to count
- Pick one bud and two leaves the Dao way, then fire the leaf yourself in a wok over a wood fire
- A working Dao household: black pigs, poultry and deer, black cardamom under the forest canopy, and rice wine off a still older than anyone remembers
- Lunch cooked with the family, from vegetables you picked in the garden beside you, facing Ha Giang city below
- A hot Dao herbal foot soak after the morning walk, and the story of the Cap Sac initiation told by someone who went through it
- Lung Vai Waterfall: two pools, deep and cold over sand, with life jackets on the bank at no charge
- A swim at the cold pool above Lung Vai on the way up, when your guide judges the day allows it — the same stream that feeds the waterfall you walk down to in the afternoon
Who should join the Khuoi My – Lung Vai waterfall trek?
This experience suits:
- Walkers comfortable with a full day — 16.7 km on foot over mixed ground
- Travellers who want rice terraces, palm hills and quiet forest rather than viewpoints and crowds
- Anyone interested in ethnic minority culture and ordinary village life
- People who want cold water at the lowest point of the day and do not mind earning the way back
- Slow travellers moving at the pace of the people who live here
Please do not book if you are:
- Pregnant
- Living with knee or joint problems — the final 300 m down to the falls is a 35° slope, and you climb it again to get out
- Unable to walk 16.7 km over a day on uneven ground
- Unwilling to take on a sustained steep climb at the end of a long day
- Travelling with children under 12
Tell us about any health condition that affects walking, balance, knees, breathing or swimming when you book. We would rather know in advance than find out on the trail.
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation is not included. This is a day experience. If you are staying at TVPalm Ecolodge you walk straight out from the lodge and skip both transfers.
Lunch at the family shelter above Lung Vai: vegetables you picked yourself from the garden beside you, meat raised on the same hill, cooked by the family who live there. Vegetarian and allergy needs are covered if you tell us at booking.
Through the day: hot ginger and honey when you arrive, Shan Tuyet tea at the grove and again after lunch, tea and fresh fruit skewers at the shelter on the way down to the falls, and drinking water throughout.
Responsible Travel & Community Impact
Why this is built the way it is. Regenerative is not a label we bought. On this slope it means three plain things: the forest is worth more standing than cut, the households on the route are paid directly for work they were doing anyway, and a share of what you pay goes back into planting and training. Nothing here depends on the village changing to suit visitors.
- Seven in ten people working on this route are Dao and Tay from the villages you walk through
- With 50 Dao members we founded the Tay Con Linh Sustainable Tourism Cooperative, so the work and the income stay in the valley
- The path down to the falls, and the wooden steps on it, were built by households from Lung Vai and are maintained by them. They are paid for both
- No single-use plastic. You carry a TVPalm bottle and refill it
- Food waste from lunch goes back into the garden it came from
- We do not stage ceremonies. The Cap Sac rite is told, never re-enacted
- The plants for the foot soak are cut and dried by women from the village, and they are paid for it
Detailed itinerary
The times below are a guide, not a timetable. Pick-up is the only fixed point; everything after it depends on how the group is walking that day. Your guide sets the real pace, and nobody is hurried to hit a clock.
Morning — the village, the tea and the table
- 08:00: Pick-up from your hotel in Ha Giang (Option 2), or walk out from TVPalm Ecolodge (Option 1).
- 08:40: Arrive at the Khuoi My gate. Hot ginger and honey, safety briefing, footwear check, fill your bottle.
- 08:55: Walk begins. Through Khuoi My into Lung Vai — Dao houses, gardens, terraces, and the moss on the palm-thatch roofs.
- 09:45: A Dao family: black pigs, poultry and deer, watched from outside the pens.
- 10:20: Black cardamom under the forest canopy. Traditional rice wine, and a taste of it.
- On the way — a stop your guide decides: The cold pool at Lung Vai. The stream runs off the old forest high on Tay Con Linh and down through the village, past a footbridge and a low weir the community built. The pool above it is deep and wide — four to six people can swim at once — and clear enough to see the bottom. Cold enough to take your breath. The same stream is one of the two sources that feed Lung Vai Waterfall further down the valley. There is no fixed slot for this in the day: your guide reads the group’s pace and what people actually want, and offers the stop when it fits. Bring swimwear and a dry shirt. Your guide checks the pool before anyone gets in, and will say no after heavy rain when the stream runs fast and the bottom cannot be seen.
- 11:05: Into the tea. Touch an ancient trunk, pick one bud and two leaves, fire them yourself in a wok over a wood fire.
- 12:25: Arrive at the family shelter above Lung Vai. Pick vegetables in the garden for your own lunch.
- 12:55: Lunch, cooked alongside the family, looking down at Ha Giang city.
- 13:40: Shoes off. Hot Dao herbal water for your feet, a cup of tea, and the story of the Cap Sac rite.
Afternoon — down to Lung Vai Waterfall
- 14:15: Leave the shelters on foot. Forest gaiters handed out here.
- 14:30: Mr Don’s rice terraces. Five minutes. The whole valley steps away below you with the afternoon light behind it.
- approx. 14:45: The upper path — 700 metres on a steady slope of about 10°. Easy walking on earth and stone.
- approx. 15:05: The halfway shelter. Two hundred metres of flat ground between the two huts. Tea and fresh fruit skewers, and fifteen minutes to sit.
- approx. 15:25: The steep drop — 300 metres at around 35°, a 70% gradient. Poles out and taken slowly. This is the serious part of the day.
- approx. 15:45: Lung Vai Waterfall, 590 m. Two pools — the one under the fall is deep and cold over sand, the second smaller and shallower. Swim when your guide says the water is right. Life jackets are on the bank.
- approx. 16:45: Start back up: the 300-metre steep section first, then the flat, then the long upper path. Most groups need about an hour to the shelters; some take longer, and that is fine. This is the hardest hour of the day and it comes last.
- approx. 17:45: Back at the shelters. From here you choose. Walk home to TVPalm Ecolodge the way you came, or ride back with a local rider if your legs have had enough — just say so at the shelters. If you started from Ha Giang city, your car meets you where the path rejoins the main road.
Intensity snapshot
| Phase | Duration | Terrain | Intensity | Key activity |
| Transfer up (Option 2 only) | 40 min | Road | Rest | — |
| Morning — village to tea grove | 3 h 30 | Village paths, gardens, terrace bunds | Light | Dao households, cardamom, rice wine |
| Tea grove | 1 h 20 | Forest slope | Light | Picking and firing your own tea |
| Lunch, foot soak and story | 1 h 20 | Shelter with view, garden, pond | Rest | Cooking, herbal foot soak, Cap Sac |
| Down to the falls | 1 h 05 | Field path, road, forest trail, wooden steps | Light to moderate | Rice terraces, halfway shelter |
| At the waterfall | 1 h 20 | Rock, sand, water | Light to moderate | Swimming |
| Back up to the road | 35 min | Forest trail, wooden steps, 1,000 m climbing | Moderate | The one sustained climb of the day |
Included / Excluded
- Cost Includes
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Ha Giang city (Option 2)
- Return transfer from the waterfall road
- English or Vietnamese speaking guide all day
- Hot ginger and honey on arrival
- Lunch, cooked with you at the family shelter
- Dao herbal foot soak after the morning walk
- All materials for tea picking and wok firing
- Tea and fresh fruit at the halfway shelter
- Life jackets at the waterfall — no charge
- Forest gaiters for the walk down — no charge
- A pack of Shan Tuyet tea from the grove you walked through, to take home
- TVPalm reusable water bottle and drinking water
- First aid kit carried by the guide
- Basic PVI inbound accident insurance during the day
- Cost Excludes
- Personal travel and medical insurance
- Personal drinks beyond the rice wine tasting and what is served at lunch
- Personal expenses and purchases
- Tips for your guide and hosts, entirely at your discretion
- Accommodation
Useful Information
Safety, Fitness & the Descent to the Falls
What the day actually asks of you
16.7 kilometres on foot from TVPalm Ecolodge to Lung Vai Waterfall and back, with the falls at 9.1 km along the route. Village paths, terrace bunds, forest trail and wooden steps. No technical ground and no climbing skill needed, but this is a full day of walking and we grade it Moderate for a reason.
The way down to the waterfall — and the way back up
From the shelters to the water is about 1,200 metres, and it comes in three distinct parts:
| Section | Length | Slope | What it feels like |
| 1. Upper path | 700 m | about 10° (18%) | Steady, easy walking on earth and stone |
| 2. Between the two shelters | 200 m | flat | Level ground. This is where you stop for tea and fruit |
| 3. Final drop to the falls | 300 m | about 35° (70%) | Steep, continuous, and the serious part of the day |
Going down is straightforward. Coming back up is the hardest thing you will do all day — and it comes after you have swum, at the end of five hours of walking. That last 300-metre section is a sustained climb at around 35 degrees. Allow a full hour to get back to the shelters, take it in short stages, and use poles.
If you would rather not take that on at the end of a long day, say so at the lunch table. Heading back early is a normal choice, not a cancelled day, and nothing is deducted.
You do not have to walk home
Once you are back up at the shelters the hard part is behind you, and the last stretch is your choice. Walk it if you want the full day on foot. If you have had enough, a local rider takes you back to TVPalm Ecolodge — tell your guide at the shelters and it is arranged. Guests who started from Ha Giang city are met by car where the path rejoins the main road. Nobody is made to walk the last kilometres to prove a point.
The waterfall sits at the bottom
Lung Vai Waterfall sits at 590 metres — the lowest point of the whole day. Everything after it is uphill. We say this plainly because the view from the top of that slope and the view from the bottom of it are two different days.
The ground changes with the season
In dry conditions the steep section is firm and the climb back is honest work. After rain it is slower, heavier and a good deal harder — our own founder walked this ground on a wet October day and came back calling it tough going. Same path, different day. Your guide grades it on the morning, not from the calendar, and may decide the steep section is not on at all.
Swimming
The pool under the fall is around five and a half metres deep in the middle, over sand. Your guide checks the water before anyone gets in and will say no after heavy rain, when the flow is strong or the bottom cannot be seen. Life jackets are provided and your guide will ask you to wear one if you swim weakly. Nobody swims alone and nobody swims out of sight.
Leeches
From May to September, and after heavy rain at any time of year, there are leeches on the forest section. They are harmless and they come off. We hand out forest gaiters before you start down, and we ask you to wear knee-length socks with your trouser legs tucked into your boots. That combination deals with almost all of it, and your guide carries salt for the rest. We put this on the page because finding out on the path is worse than reading it here.
Seasons and the best time to come
| Period | The trail | The water | Leeches |
| December – March | Dry and firm, best footing on the steep section | Cold, flow can be low | Few |
| April | Dry and firm | Full and clear | Few |
| May – September | Wet and slippery; the 35° section may be called off | Full, flow can be strong | Many |
| October – November | Drying out, good footing | Still full | Few |
April, October and November are the best months for both the walk and the water.
What the guide controls
Daily safety briefing before departure — mandatory for all guests. Weather check at 07:00. If heavy rain or landslide risk, the guide may adjust the route, shorten the trek, or decide the descent to the falls is not on that day. The guide also decides, at the water, whether anyone swims. Those decisions are final.
Health and insurance
Tell us at booking about anything affecting walking, balance, breathing, knees or swimming, and about any food allergy — allergies go straight to the kitchen. Personal travel and medical insurance is not included and we strongly recommend it. If you intend to swim, check that your policy covers swimming in open fresh water: most do, a few do not, and this is a natural pool rather than a supervised facility.
Preparation & Packing List
| Bring | Notes |
| Trekking shoes with good grip | The single most important item. The 35° section is unforgiving in smooth soles. Not sandals, not city trainers. |
| Trekking poles | Strongly recommended. They change the steep section from awkward to manageable, going down and coming back up. Tell us if you need to borrow a pair. |
| Knee-length socks | Wear them with your trouser legs tucked in. We give you gaiters over the top. |
| Trek trousers with a cuff you can close | So the leg shuts over your boot. Not shorts on the forest section. |
| Long sleeves | Sun, plants and insects |
| Hat and sunglasses | |
| Sunscreen and insect repellent | |
| Swimwear, a towel and dry clothes | You will want them. The pool is cold and the climb out is warm. |
| A dry bag | For wet clothes and electronics |
| Personal medication |
TVPalm provides your water bottle, drinking water, forest gaiters, life jackets and the first aid kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the walk, really?
16.7 kilometres on foot from TVPalm Ecolodge and back, with Lung Vai Waterfall at 9.1 km along the route, 590 metres above sea level. If you start from a hotel in Ha Giang city the vehicle covers the road section. It is a full day and we grade it Moderate.
How steep is the path down to the waterfall?
It comes in three parts over about 1,200 metres: 700 m on a steady 10° slope, 200 m of flat ground between the two shelters, then a final 300 m at around 35° — a 70% gradient. That last section is the serious part of the day. Going down is straightforward; coming back up is the hardest thing you will do.
How hard is the climb back out?
Hard, and it comes at the worst moment — after you have swum, at the end of five hours of walking. Allow a full hour to get from the water back up to the shelters, take it in short stages, and use poles. We would rather tell you now than at the bottom.
Do I have to walk the whole way back?
No. Once you are back up at the shelters, a local rider can take you to TVPalm Ecolodge instead of walking the last stretch — tell your guide and it is arranged, at no extra cost. If you started from Ha Giang city, your car meets you where the path rejoins the main road after the falls. The climb out of the waterfall is the part nobody can do for you; the rest is optional.
Will we definitely swim?
No. It depends on water level, flow, clarity and how slippery the rocks are that day. Your guide decides at the water and the decision is final. Everything else in the day runs regardless.
How deep is the pool?
Around five and a half metres in the middle, over a sand bed, in the pool directly under the fall. That is deep enough to matter. The second pool is smaller and shallower. If you swim weakly or not at all, wear one of our life jackets — they are on the bank, there is no charge, and your guide will ask.
Can we jump from the rocks, or slide down them?
Not as part of this experience. People from the village do both and you may well see it. We have not yet measured the water under the jump point or the run-out at the bottom of the slide, and a sand bed shifts after every flood, so neither goes on a booking page until we have measured it and measured it again after the rains. When that is done, this answer changes.
Can I skip the waterfall if I have had enough?
Yes. Say so at the lunch table, before the descent starts. Heading back from the shelters is a normal choice, not a cancelled day, and nothing is deducted. Nobody should start down a 35° slope they do not want to climb back up.
Are there really leeches?
From May to September, yes, on the forest section. We hand out gaiters and ask you to wear knee-length socks with your trousers tucked in. Between the two, most people finish the day without meeting one. If leeches are a hard no for you, come in April, October or November.
Is this suitable for children?
From 12 years old, with an adult, and only if they walk regularly. Sixteen point seven kilometres and a 35° climb is a lot for young legs. If you are travelling with younger children, ask about the Half Day Walking to Dao Ao Dai Villages instead.
What if I am staying at TVPalm Ecolodge?
You walk out of the door in the morning with no vehicle, and the day is shorter at both ends. Same route, same lunch, same tea, same water. Choose Option 1 when you book.
What time does the day start and finish?
Pick-up at your Ha Giang city hotel is 08:00 (Option 2), or you walk out from TVPalm Ecolodge (Option 1). You are at the Khuoi My gate around 08:40 and back at the shelters around 17:45. That is the only fixed point in the day — everything between depends on how the group is walking and on the water. Nobody is hurried to hit a clock.
What happens if it rains?
We walk. Highland rain is normal here and the route handles it. What changes is the water: after heavy rain the pool at Lung Vai runs fast and your guide may close swimming for the day, and the steep section down to the waterfall gets slippery enough that we slow the whole group down or turn back. That call is made on the trail, from what is in front of us, not from the booking. If a storm makes the day unsafe, the postponement and refund terms in Part B apply.
Is insurance included?
PVI Inbound Insurance — basic accident cover — is included in the price. It is a safety net, not full cover: it does not fully cover trekking, altitude sickness or emergency medical evacuation. Bring your own travel insurance and check that it covers hiking and swimming in open water.
When is the best time of year to come?
We walk this route all year, and the two halves of the year are different days out. May to September is the rainy season — hot, very green, the waterfall at its fullest, heavy afternoon rain, and leeches on the forest section; we issue gaiters. October to April is drier and clearer, the water is colder and lower, and it can be genuinely cold in midwinter. Send us your dates and we will tell you honestly what the day is likely to look like.
We reply within 24 hours on working days
Duration
1 Day
Start / End
Khuoi My gate from about 08:40, back at the shelters about 17:45. TVPalm Ecolodge (Option 1) or your hotel in Ha Giang city (Option 2)
Difficulty
Moderate
Group Size
2 - 8 guests
From
$99 / person
🔒 Non-refundable deposit -
Flexible rescheduling
(see policy)
