By Minh Đức

We understand where the Seven-Storey Waterfalls gets its name from as soon as we see it.

The waters cascade down rocks that look as though they have been deliberately placed at different levels. It looks like a scene out of a fairy tale.

The Seven-Storey Waterfall is deep inside the Pù Hoạt Forest in the central province of Nghệ An. It is a place favoured by adventurous tourists who like to take challenging routes to a destination.

To reach this place, tourists have to trek 10km with local  guides, taking care not to slip and hurt themselves on slippery rocks.

Further down, visitors can walk in the stream, and try their hand at catching fish and crabs. In some parts the stream forms a pools with clean water to bathe in.

One attractive feature of this waterfall is the possibility of sliding down rocks into the pool. A natural waterpark.

Nguyễn Đức Trung, member of the management of the Pù Hoạt Natural Reserve, said the Seven-Storey Waterfall is one of the most beautiful and spectacular ones that he has seen.

He said its location in the heart of the forest near the Việt Nam-Laos border made it a “sleeping beauty,” with not many people knowing about it.

“Only a few backpackers and adventurous travellers have discovered the site,” he said.

The most ideal time to visit the waterfall is between March and July, because the weather is sunny, with no rain or storms

Visitors can stay overnight in neighbouring villages and visit Pù Hoạt Natural Reserve the next day.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development established the Pù Hoạt Nature Reserve in 2013 to protect the ecosystem, biodiversity, genetic resources, historical sites, cultural landscapes and forest environment in the province. 

Covering a total area of ​​ more than 90,000 ha, it is home to 763 species of plants with more than 30 species listed in the Red Book of Việt Nam; as well as 176 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. -- VNS

Getting there

From Hà Nội, follow Hồ Chí Minh Road to Thái Hòa Town, Nghĩa Đàn District, Nghệ An Province; then follow National Road No 48 to Phú Phương Crossroads, turn to Hạnh Dịch Commune (Quế Phong District), pass 10km to reach Mường Đán Village of the Thái people. From here, walk to the Pù Hoạt National Forest, and along the Huổi Đán Stream till you reach the waterfall.

Home-stay services are available at Mường Đán and Huở Mương villages. Visitors can learn the culture and customs of the Thái people. They can enjoy local food specialties like grilled chicken and rice cooked in bamboo sections. Tourists can order such food in advance and take it with them for the trip to the Seven-Storey Waterfall.

For more up-market accommodation, you have to get to downtown Quế Phong District.—VNS