From Da Nang or Hoi An: Bach Ma National Park Trek & Lunch

Bring shoes you can get wet. This long day from Da Nang or Hoi An takes you into Bach Ma National Park for forest trails, the Five Lakes of Ngu Ho, Do Quyen Waterfall, and the Hai Vong Dai summit. I like the mix of swimming and mountain scenery, and I also like the small-group format, limited to 10 people, which gives the guide time to help on tricky ground. The main catch is that this is much more than a gentle nature walk. Slippery rocks, steep sections, stream crossings, and a long day in the car can test your legs.

I especially like that the tour includes hotel transport, entrance fees, a guide, lunch, water, and insurance for $71 per person. I also like the chance to see Bach Ma beyond a roadside viewpoint, with possible glimpses of wildlife, old French-era villas, and wartime remains along the mountain. Weather is a real factor: fog and rain can hide the summit views, but the tour runs rain or shine.

Key points at a glance

• The Five Lakes require a 2-kilometer forest trek, with rocky ground, stream crossings, and places to swim.
• Do Quyen Waterfall drops about 300 meters, though access to its lower section can close when trees, landslides, or trail conditions make it unsafe.
• Hai Vong Dai reaches 1,448 meters, with broad views toward Lang Co Beach, Hai Van Pass, Truoi Lake, Cau Hai Lagoon, and Chan May Port when the air is clear.
• The hike is guided closely, with walking sticks, ropes in difficult sections, and sometimes waterproof bags or ponchos.
• Pickup starts early, around 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. in Hoi An and 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. in Da Nang.
• This suits active adults, not young children, pregnant people, wheelchair users, or anyone uneasy with heights.

Why Bach Ma makes a strong day trip from Da Nang or Hoi An

Bach Ma offers a welcome change from the coast and city. Instead of spending the day around cafés, beaches, or crowded sights, you head into a cooler mountain park with running water, forest shade, and long views over lagoons and the sea.

The tour is a full 10 to 12 hours, so timing matters. Pickup is early, followed by the drive toward the national park. Some departures include a route over Hai Van Pass, while others may use the tunnel depending on weather and road conditions. The pass can add fine views, but fog or rain may turn it into a slow, wet drive with little to see.

From Hoi An, expect the longest road day. A four-star review described the driving as roughly nine to ten hours in total, which is a serious amount of sitting around a hike. From Da Nang, the road time should be easier, but this remains a full-day outing rather than a quick morning excursion.

The small group helps. With no more than 10 people, you are not waiting behind a large crowd at every rope or rocky crossing. Guides named Linh, Tram, Thuan, Thuy, and Nguyen have been praised for helping with footing, explaining plants and animals, and keeping the group together. The exact guide can vary, but attentive guiding is one of the strongest parts of the experience.

The Five Lakes trail is the day’s best active section

After entering Bach Ma National Park, the walk to Ngu Ho, or the Five Lakes, covers about 2 kilometers through the forest. This sounds modest on paper, but the surface makes it more demanding than the distance suggests.

You follow a route beside streams and across uneven stones, gradually reaching five separate pools at different levels. The water and forest give this part of the outing its character. The pools are quiet, cool, and well suited to a swim when conditions allow.

I would not treat this as a polished path. Expect slippery rock, roots, steep steps in places, and sections where you may use ropes fixed to trees for support. Guides provide walking sticks, and some departures have included helmets, ponchos, waterproof bags, and snacks. Those extras matter because your hands may need to stay free and your belongings can get wet.

You should wear proper walking shoes with good grip. Several people managed in trainers, but that is not the same as recommending them. Bring a spare pair of shoes and dry socks. In wet weather, your footwear may be soaked by stream crossings and rain, not just damp at the edges.

Swimming is optional, not required. You can sit beside the pools, enjoy the shade, and watch the water if you prefer. If you do swim, carry only what you need and use the waterproof bag provided when available.

The route can be harder than expected for anyone with coordination, joint, or fitness problems. The most awkward parts often come early, when you are climbing over rocks and working your way down beside rushing water. Your guide can help, but this is still a hands-on trek.

Do Quyen Waterfall brings the biggest sense of adventure

From the Five Lakes, the trail continues toward Do Quyen Waterfall. The waterfall is named after the rhododendron flower associated with the area, and the water drops down a cliff of about 300 meters.

The setting is dramatic even when the full fall is partly hidden by mist or trees. You may hear the water before seeing it, then reach rocky viewpoints where the drop opens below you. The trail here is rugged, with steep slopes, stream crossings, and wet stones.

A key detail: the lower trail is not always open. Fallen trees, landslides, or other hazards can close the route to the bottom. One outing had to skip the lower section because trees made it unsafe. That can be disappointing if swimming beneath a waterfall is your main goal, so keep your expectations flexible.

When the lower route is open and conditions are dry, it can be the most memorable part of the day. When it is closed, you can still appreciate the waterfall from higher viewpoints and continue toward the mountain roads and summit. Safety decisions here are sensible, even if they mean missing the view you imagined.

The wet-season experience is especially demanding. Rain makes the rock slick, leeches may be more common, and fog can erase the distant views. A small bottle of natural insect spray is a useful extra. The tour operates rain or shine, so you should decide in advance whether a muddy, misty version of Bach Ma still sounds worthwhile.

Picnic lunch, tea, and a welcome pause

Lunch is included and is generally served as a picnic during the mountain portion of the day. Reports describe rice, tofu, vegetables, soup, crackers, and fruit, with vegetarian and vegan meals accommodated on request. Tea, coffee, and drinking water are also included.

This is not a restaurant lunch with a long break and a broad menu. It is a practical mountain meal, which is exactly what most people need after the Five Lakes and waterfall sections. You can eat while taking in the forest or mountain scenery, then continue without losing much time.

Tell the operator about dietary needs when booking, even though vegetarian and vegan arrangements have been made before. Bring a small personal snack if you normally eat more than a standard packed lunch, but keep your bag light. Every extra item becomes noticeable on wet, rocky ground.

There are limited toilet facilities. One toilet is available near the park entrance, and another is available near the upper viewpoint. Use the first one before setting off, because there may be a long gap between facilities.

Hai Vong Dai gives Bach Ma its grand finale

After the forest walk, transport takes you much of the way up the mountain. The final approach to Hai Vong Dai, also called Bach Ma Peak, involves about a 20-minute walk according to the tour details.

At 1,448 meters above sea level, this is the highest point in the national park. On a clear day, you can look toward Lang Co Beach, Hai Van Pass, Truoi Lake, Cau Hai Lagoon, and Chan May Port. It is a satisfying finish because the day shifts from close-up forest and rushing water to wide views across mountains, lagoons, villages, and coast.

Clear weather is essential. Fog can roll across the peak and block almost everything. Several outings had little or no distant view because of rain or cloud, while still offering a rewarding walk through the forest. If you want a guaranteed panorama, no mountain tour can provide that. If you enjoy nature even when the weather turns moody, Bach Ma remains worthwhile.

The summit area also adds context to the park. The mountain has old French retreat villas, wartime remains, and traces connected with military use, including tunnels, storage areas, and a helicopter landing pad. Some buildings were badly damaged during the war, but the remains help explain why this mountain has more layers than a simple waterfall stop.

Wildlife is another possible bonus. Red-shanked douc monkeys have been seen near the route, though sightings are never promised. Guides can also point out plants, birds, and edible leaves along the trail.

How hard is the trek?

I would rate this as a moderate to challenging day hike, mainly because of the surface and the wet conditions rather than the total distance. The walking includes:

• Steep and slippery sections
• Uneven rocks and stream crossings
• Ropes for support in places
• A walk beside waterfalls
• A final uphill section to Hai Vong Dai
• Possible rain, mud, fog, and wet shoes

You do not need to be an expert climber, and people with average fitness have completed the route. Still, the tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant people, wheelchair users, people afraid of heights, those with high blood pressure, people over 70, or anyone weighing more than 150 kilograms.

If you have limited balance, hypermobility, dyspraxia, or another condition affecting coordination, think carefully before booking. A guide can offer a hand, but you remain responsible for managing the terrain.

What the $71 price really includes

At $71 per person, the value is fairly strong if you are staying in Da Nang or Hoi An and want a guided mountain day. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, park admission, a live English-speaking guide, picnic lunch, water, tea, coffee, and travel insurance.

You also avoid arranging a private vehicle, finding the park entrance, choosing a safe route, and carrying enough food for a long day. The guide is especially valuable on the rocky sections, where route-finding and careful pacing matter more than they would on a normal sightseeing walk.

The cost feels less attractive if you dislike long drives or want a relaxed day with minimal exertion. From Hoi An, the time in the vehicle can take a large share of the day. Weather may also reduce the payoff if fog blocks Hai Vong Dai and rain closes the lower waterfall trail.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. Just remember that the tour runs in poor weather, so your decision should focus on whether you enjoy wet outdoor conditions, not on expecting a weather cancellation.

What to pack for a safer, better day

Pack for a wet hike, even in good weather. I would bring:

• Grippy hiking shoes, plus spare shoes or sandals
• A dry change of socks and clothes
• Lightweight long trousers, especially in wet weather
• Insect repellent
• Swimwear and a small towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A waterproof phone pouch
• A small amount of personal food if needed

Long trousers help protect your legs from wet vegetation and possible leeches. A waterproof bag or poncho may be supplied, but I would still protect your phone and wallet individually.

Do not overload your daypack. The route has enough climbing, rock-hopping, and stream work without carrying a full beach bag.

Should you book this Bach Ma tour?

Book it if you want an active day with forest trails, natural swimming pools, a major waterfall, and a high viewpoint in one outing. It is a good fit for adults who are comfortable with slippery ground and who would rather see a wilder side of central Vietnam than spend another day in town.

Think twice if you need easy paths, reliable summit views, or a short transfer. The Hoi An departure is particularly long, and rainy weather can mean soaked shoes, closed sections, and no panorama.

For the best chance of a satisfying day, wear serious shoes, keep your schedule free until late afternoon, and treat the waterfall and summit views as weather-dependent bonuses. The Five Lakes, attentive guides, and forest setting are the dependable pleasures. At $71, that makes this a worthwhile choice for fit, outdoors-minded visitors who prefer a real trek over a quick scenic stop.

FAQ

How long does the Bach Ma National Park tour take?

The tour lasts about 10 to 12 hours. Return to your starting point is expected in the late afternoon, around 5:00 to 5:30 p.m.

What time is pickup from Hoi An?

Pickup from Hoi An is scheduled for approximately 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. You should be ready from 6:30 a.m.

What time is pickup from Da Nang?

Pickup from Da Nang is scheduled for approximately 7:30 to 8:00 a.m.

Is swimming included at the Five Lakes?

Swimming is possible at the Five Lakes of Ngu Ho, described as a good place to swim. Swimming is optional.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included, along with water, tea, and coffee. Vegetarian and vegan meals have been accommodated.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10 years old. The rocky, steep, and slippery terrain also requires a reasonable level of fitness.

What happens if it rains?

The tour takes place rain or shine. Rain can make the trail slippery, wet your shoes, create fog, and affect access to parts of the waterfall route.