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Ha Vy (28 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) recently went trekking to K50 Waterfall - one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Central Highlands. “As someone from Gia Lai, I witnessed many waterfalls when I was a child that have now dried up or have very dirty water. So this trip felt like meeting a long-lost friend,” Ha Vy shared.
In her pickup truck on the edge of the forest, she prepared to begin her journey.
K50 Waterfall retains its pristine, unspoiled beauty.
Located within the Kon Chư Răng Nature Reserve (in Bình Định hamlet, Sơn Lang commune, K'Bang district, Gia Lai province), straddling the border between Gia Lai and Bình Định provinces, K50 waterfall is likened to a princess hidden amidst the Tây Nguyên mountains and forests due to its pristine and unspoiled beauty. With a height of over 50 meters, K50 is also known as Hang Én waterfall, because behind the waterfall lies a large cave, home to thousands of forest swallows.
To reach K50 Waterfall, visitors must conquer a long trekking route, winding through small paths nestled in the forest, crossing streams and rocky rapids before they can see this magnificent waterfall with their own eyes. Perhaps because not many people have set foot here, K50 Waterfall has retained its pristine, unspoiled natural beauty.
K50 Waterfall, also known as Hang En Waterfall, is a majestic waterfall nestled amidst the mountains and forests of the Central Highlands.
Ha Vy and her group of friends booked a tour with a local guide to ensure safety and the best possible experience. She shared that the period from January to June is the best time of year to conquer K50 Waterfall. This is the dry season, with warm weather, dry and easy-to-navigate paths, and fewer leeches or insects. Vy and her friends went during the rainy season, so they were given very careful instructions about preparing appropriate clothing to avoid leeches.
The journey began with warm, sunny weather at the edge of the forest. The group excitedly stopped to take photos and check in whenever they passed beautiful spots. As they ventured deeper into the forest, it started to rain. Everyone had to run as fast as they could, because if they stopped to rest, leeches would crawl onto them. Every time they reached a stream, the group took turns catching leeches from their socks and shoes. "If you ask what impressed me most on this trip, it's definitely the leeches. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps; those tiny leeches would grow to the size of my finger after biting me, and they would cling to me all the time," Ha Vy recalled.
It's the rainy season, so the road to the waterfall is very bad.
A trekking trip is supposed to be about enjoying the scenery along the way, but for Vy, she was tiny in her raincoat and just kept running. Even when she finally reached the majestic waterfall, Vy couldn't believe she had arrived. She turned to her teammates and asked, "Have we reached the waterfall yet?" which made everyone burst out laughing.
Vy's first impression was of the waterfall stretching like a white silk ribbon, with water rushing down from a dizzying height. This breathtaking sight overwhelmed everyone in the group. In that moment, people felt as if they were being embraced by a greater power, feeling small and insignificant, blending into the majestic and mysterious nature.
It seems as though all the finest elements of nature have converged in this place to create a paradise right here in real life.
The whole group started unpacking and setting up camp by the K50 waterfall. The water was crystal clear, you could see the bottom, and the atmosphere was peaceful, with only the waterfall echoing the majestic call of nature. Despite the rain, Vy and everyone swam to the middle of the stream, letting themselves be carried away by the flowing water. If you go during the dry season, you'll witness a mesmerizing rainbow as sunlight pierces through the mist. "Every season has its own beauty. The water, white as snow, falls from a great height, creating foam and mist swirling around the waterfall; it's a very poetic and romantic sight," Vy recounted.
Ha Vy always knows how to enjoy every experience in her own way.
Furthermore, the rainy season also makes the area around K50 waterfall even more vibrant with lush green trees, flowers blooming profusely, and sections of rushing water full of life. All of this creates a stunning landscape, making it impossible for anyone who sets foot here not to be captivated by this wild and majestic beauty.
That evening, after a feast of grilled chicken and sticky rice – a specialty of the highland region – the group sat on rocks by the stream, gazing at the starry sky and singing meditative songs. In the vast expanse, only the sound of the waterfall and the gentle melodies of Lang Mai village could be heard. Everything blended together, surrounded by thousands of flickering fireflies. That magical scene was unforgettable.
Finding your way back to nature is finding yourself.
Every year, Vy always tries to make time for a trip back to nature like this. For Vy, traveling is not just about experiencing new things, but also an opportunity to understand herself more deeply. During these trips back to "Mother Earth," you can temporarily escape the hustle and bustle of life and your worries, focusing only on your feelings and the present moment. You get to see the breathtaking beauty of nature in its most unadulterated form. It's a wonderful feeling to sense the vibrancy, the subtle emotions, and the philosophical values that nature awaits us to discover.
Each journey will be different depending on your emotions and maturity at that time. "Everything that happens will give you some kind of message. But sometimes, if you just stay in one place, doing nothing, you won't be able to see it. And when you start such journeys, because you've already started, there's no turning back. You have to keep going to finish, and those experiences are like keys that unlock the door to that message. You see yourself more clearly, more authentically, with each step," Ha Vy confided.
Vy recalled that after the hardships of trekking through the forest and wading through streams, she slept soundly, woke up to the breathtaking scenery before her, and realized she was still breathing. The feeling was as relieving as having just fought her own battles and reached the finish line. At K50, or in any natural setting, you just need to take your time and enjoy it. Like how Vy and her friend sat sunbathing on the rocks. The flowing water caressed their feet. The sunlight shone on their cold feet, creating a light mist. "A hot cup of Milo in the mountains at that moment was enough for me."
The trend of young people reconnecting with nature is growing. Trekking trips offer many memorable experiences. However, to have a safe and effective trip, thorough preparation and choosing reputable tour operators are essential. Allow yourself to enjoy the most wonderful moments by exploring and experiencing nature, just as Ha Vy did when she returned to K50 Waterfall, considered the muse of the majestic Central Highlands.
