VI
EN
From Highway 27 in Thanh My town, Don Duong district, Lam Dong province, there's a turnoff near Bridge 14 leading to the rocky stream. The stream has no name and no signposts, so I had to ask locals three times before I knew how to get there.
The path leading to the rocky stream.
We had to leave our motorbikes at the house of a farmer who grew onions at the foot of the hill. From there, we needed to go through two more stages to reach the stream. The first stage was a gentle, sloping trail, so it wasn't difficult. But when we reached the stream, we struggled to get past the greenish rocks.
RELAX IN THE PEACEFUL LANDSCAPE AMIDST THE MOUNTAINS AND FORESTS OF DON DUONG
I went to the rocky stream around 2-3 pm, but the dense thickets of the old forest made the path as dark as late afternoon. The peaceful scene was occasionally disrupted by swarms of mosquitoes when we stopped to rest. Otherwise, the only sound was our heavy breathing as we climbed the slope to the rocky stream.
A huge, ancient tree with a massive root system.
The stream may be modest, but it's just enough to keep the weather cool in Don Duong.
Leo couldn't hear the sound of flowing water for a long time. I was already soaked, feeling exhausted, and thinking about turning back. But my passion for natural streams wouldn't let me give up. After a little further, I heard the sound of trickling water, and my heart swelled with joy because I was finally almost there.
As I got closer to the stream, the scenery became clearer. I felt the sunlight streaming down before my eyes, and looking up, I saw a giant skylight formed into an oval shape by towering ancient trees. The pristine white stream also dimly appeared behind the dense foliage. I was intoxicated by nature's "language of love": under the shade of the trees, my feet resting on the rough rocks, breathing in the fresh, cool air with every step.
The stream meanders gracefully to one side.
My body trembled as the crystal-clear water cascaded down, foaming white in front of me. The late afternoon sunlight became more delicate and gentle, creating a sense of tranquility in the pleasant forest air. Tall, ancient trees with enormous roots clung to the rocks, forming seemingly perfect joints that balanced the natural landscape. Birds chirped, as if welcoming us to their "territory." Suddenly, they fell silent, revealing the serene, tranquil stillness of the old forest. That alone was enough to erase all the hardships of the arduous climb to the waterfall.
Close your eyes and enjoy all the gifts that nature has to offer.
We rested at the waterfall for about an hour. I soaked my feet in the cool stream, then leaned back on the rocks, closing my eyes to fully absorb the blessings of nature. My sister also had her own space to enjoy those wonderful moments. Occasionally, we looked at each other, but we didn't say anything. Both of us were busy immersed in the wonderful tranquility in our minds.
HOW YOU CAME, THAT'S HOW YOU LEFT...
This stream is not widely known; only a few locals who go into the forest or teenagers come here to camp. Strangely, after those groups leave, plastic bottles and bags are still left lying haphazardly in the stream. It's unclear when everyone will realize that restoring a destination to its original state is more important than anything else. It's the kindest and easiest thing one can do for nature.
I encountered a forest crab along the stream.
The stream remained pristine, overgrown with dense bushes, and moss still clung to the rocks. Even with careful movements, I still slipped and fell because the rocks were so slippery. Since the trip was unplanned, I only wore regular sneakers, not specialized hiking boots. If you intend to conquer this rocky stream, you need to equip yourself with good grip, waterproof shoes, and some protective gear such as gloves and long-sleeved clothing. Additionally, you might consider preparing some food and drinks and camping here. And don't leave anything behind except the original pristine beauty of the stream.
The best time to visit the stream is on a summer morning. You'll have plenty of time to travel and then leisurely enjoy the tranquil beauty of nature. Avoid going in the afternoon, as it gets dark quickly. Finally, it's best to come with a group to support each other during the journey.
