Bach Ma: Trekking Day Trip from Hue with Waterfalls & Swim

Summary

Trek Bach Ma’s wild trails swim in cool lakes picnic by a hidden waterfall

You’ll hike wild Bach Ma trails with a local guide, swim in chilly Five Lakes pools, share a picnic lunch by jungle rocks, and stand above Do Quyen Waterfall’s roar. Expect muddy shoes, honest laughter, and views you’ll remember long after you’ve left Vietnam.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way the air changed as we left Hue — it got cooler, almost sharp, and everything outside the van window turned this deep, wet green. Our guide, Minh, chatted about old French villas lost in the trees, and I tried to imagine them behind all that tangled bamboo. When we stopped at the Bach Ma Exhibition House, it smelled faintly of rain on stone floors. I didn’t expect to care much about park history but Minh made it weirdly interesting — something about colonial hill stations and cloud forests that stuck with me.

After a quick ride deeper into Bach Ma (motorbikes! which was both fun and slightly terrifying), we started hiking up toward Hai Vong Dai. The path was muddy in places — I slipped once but nobody saw (I think). At the top, there’s this lookout where you can see Lang Co Beach way off in one direction and Truoi Lake shimmering below. The wind up there felt like it could blow your hat straight to Laos. Minh pointed out tiny villages down in the valley; he said his uncle used to fish those lakes before tourism came. We just stood there for a while not really talking — I still think about that view when I can’t sleep.

The trek to Ngu Ho (the Five Lakes) was quieter. You could hear birds but also this steady drip-drip from leaves overhead. My shoes squelched every few steps; I kept worrying about leeches but Minh just laughed and said they’re “nature’s souvenir.” The water at the lakes was cold enough to make my teeth ache but after sweating through my shirt it felt perfect. Lunch was a simple picnic — rice rolls and fruit — nothing fancy but somehow better than any restaurant meal because of where we were sitting: rocks still warm from the sun, feet dangling in clear water.

Do Quyen Waterfall surprised me — not just how tall it was (Minh said 300 meters but who really knows?) but how loud. You have to climb down these slippery steps carved into rock; my legs were jelly by then but seeing all that white water crashing through jungle made it worth it. On the way back everyone was quiet except for Minh humming some old song I didn’t recognize. We got back to Hue around sunset, tired and muddy and happy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full-day trekking in Bach Ma Park

• 08:00 – 08:30 hotel pick-up
• Visit Bach Ma Exhibition House
• Drive to Km12
• Ride motorbikes to Hai Vong Dai parking
• Trek to Bach Ma Peak (Hai Vong Dai)
• Enjoy panoramic mountain views
• Trek to Ngu Ho (Five Lakes)
• Relax and swim at Five Lakes
• Have picnic lunch
• Trek to Do Quyen Waterfall
• Return to Km12
• Transfer back to hotel

Top questions

How long is the Bach Ma trekking day trip from Hue?

The tour lasts a full day, with pickup around 8:00–8:30 AM and return to Hue by 5:00–5:30 PM.

Is hotel pickup included for this Bach Ma tour?

Yes, hotel pickup from Hue (as well as Da Nang or Hoi An) is included in the tour.

Can you swim during the Bach Ma trekking tour?

Yes, there is time for swimming at Ngu Ho (Five Lakes) during the tour.

What is included in lunch on this day trip?

A picnic lunch with rice rolls and fruit is provided as part of the experience.

How difficult is the hike at Bach Ma?

The trek covers about 10 km with some slippery or uneven sections; moderate fitness is recommended.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

Yes, all entry fees for Bach Ma are included in your booking.

Is an English-speaking guide provided on this tour?

An English-speaking guide leads the group throughout the day trip.

What should I bring for trekking Bach Ma?

Wear sturdy shoes that can get muddy or wet; bring extra clothes if you want to swim.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Hue (or Da Nang/Hoi An), entry tickets for Bach Ma Park, an English-speaking local guide who actually knows these trails inside out, bottled water along the way, all activities like swimming at Five Lakes and climbing to Do Quyen Waterfall, plus a picnic lunch before heading back tired but probably smiling more than when you started.