About 180km from Hanoi, Hieu waterfall, located in Hieu village, Co Lung commune, Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa, has emerged in recent years as a refreshing green escape attracting large numbers of visitors.

Situated in the core area of the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, bordering Hoa Binh province, the waterfall is around 100 meters high, formed by the Hieu stream flowing over the limestone range of Pu Luong.

Steep, moss-covered cliffs surround the falls, creating a raw, serene, and striking landscape.

As the water cascades from above, it splits into two branches midway down the mountain, each carving its own path before merging again downstream. The terrain of layered rock causes each stream to form multiple white, frothy tiers of falls.

In the middle of the waterfall are three natural caves carved deep into the mountain. Among them, Love Cave is considered the most beautiful - about 3 meters wide and 10 meters deep, reachable by wading through the stream.

At the base of the falls lies a shallow natural pool, just over a meter deep, offering a perfect spot for visitors to swim while taking in the majestic forested mountains.

Natural beauty and convenient travel

On a recent visit, Hoang Oanh from Hanoi and her family were stunned by the natural beauty of Hieu waterfall.

“The waterfall isn’t as tall or large as others I’ve seen in the North, but it has so many levels. The water is crystal clear, cool, and shimmers a jade green under the sun. It gently flows down rock slopes, creating a scene both poetic and powerful,” Oanh shared.

From Hanoi, visitors can reach Hieu waterfall by taking National Highway 6 through Mai Chau (Hoa Binh), then Highway 15C toward Co Luong, Dong Dien, and Pu Luong (Thanh Hoa). Another route follows the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which Oanh found easier, although the route via Hoa Binh offers the scenic Son - Ba - Muoi mountain pass through three Thai ethnic villages in Cao Son (Lung Cao commune).

“The road to Hieu waterfall is quite accessible - cars and motorbikes can reach it easily,” she added.

Travelers coming from Thanh Hoa city can pass through Canh Nang town, cross the La Han bridge over the Ma River, and continue 25km toward Co Lung commune. From there, a path leads into Hieu village. Visitors can ask locals for directions to the falls.

For those up for a challenge, it’s possible to trek roughly 4km through untouched forest and ethnic villages from the center of Co Lung commune to the base of the falls.

A year-round retreat, best in summer

Locals say visitors can enjoy Hieu waterfall year-round, with each season offering a unique charm. However, the ideal time to visit is from May to July, when water flow is at its peak and the falls burst into frothy splendor. It’s also when nearby terraced rice fields begin to ripen, creating scenic views perfect for photography.

To make the most of the trip, travelers should monitor weather forecasts and avoid visiting during periods of heavy rain.

Oanh recommends staying at homestays or local guesthouses near the waterfall, with private rooms ranging from $20 to $30 per night and shared dormitories at about $6 per person.

Local cuisine and a famous two-legged delicacy

Visitors should not miss the chance to sample local specialties such as stream goby, bitter bamboo shoots, mountain snails, bamboo sticky rice, and free-range chicken. But the most celebrated dish is the rich, fatty Co Lung duck - nicknamed the "two-legged delicacy."

Co Lung duck is a rare breed native to Co Lung commune. These ducks have a rounded body, short legs, thick necks, and a distinctive white ring around their sparrow-colored plumage.

They thrive in the clean streams and cool climate of the Pu Luong reserve, nourished by abundant natural food sources. The duck’s meat is known for its tender, aromatic flavor unlike any other.

Oanh also suggests nearby attractions such as Don village (Thanh Lam commune), Kho Muong village and Bat Cave, Son - Ba - Muoi, the sacred fish stream in Cam Luong (Cam Thuy district), and the traditional Phố Đoàn market.

Thao Trinh