CHIENG KHOA Waterfall ➡️ Travel Tips

chieng-khoa-waterfall-vietnam
Chieng Khoa Waterfall (Thác Chiềng Khoa) close to Moc Chau is a beautiful 7-floor waterfall in an authentic location of Son La province.

ℹ️ Information – Chieng Khoa
🚶 How to go to Chieng Khoa
☀️ When to visit Chieng Khoa
🏡 Where to stay in Moc Chau
Questions + Answers
📸 Photos from Chieng Khoa

Quick answer: Chieng Khoa Waterfall near Moc Chau is a beautiful and relatively untouched natural spot featuring seven cascading tiers with clear jade-green pools at each level. It offers a peaceful escape into nature, perfect for hiking, swimming, and relaxing away from the crowds. Accessible only by motorbike or private car, this waterfall is ideal for travelers seeking tranquility and stunning landscapes in a forested setting.

At a glance:

  • 📍 Location: About 30 km from Moc Chau town, in a remote, forested area.
  • 📏 Structure: Seven tiers, each around 5–10 meters high.
  • 🌊 Pools: At the base of each tier, there are natural pools — some are deep and clear enough for swimming.
  • 🛶 Activities: You can rent wooden rafts to float on the pools.
  • 🚗 How to get there: Only by motorbike or private car — no public transport.
  • 📅 Best time to visit: March to May — the weather is mild and water is clear and green.
  • 🎫 Cost: Entrance fee ~10,000 VND; parking also ~10,000 VND.

Last updated in November 2025


Chieng Khoa Waterfall – another authentic place, close to Moc Chau town.

    • Moc Chau is a place which is worth the attention of Northwest Vietnam, located in the province of Son La. In addition to the fact that not many foreign tourists come here, mainly Vietnamese tourists visit this town, it offers beautiful nature with ethnic villages around the whole city. As a shorter stopover for a few days, I definitely recommend not to miss the town of Moc Chau in the northwest if you are able to travel and explore the area on motorbike / scooter.
    • One of the most interesting places around Moc Chau is Chieng Khoa Waterfall (Thác Chiềng Khoa in Vân Hồ) in the small village of the same name. This is a place where foreign tourists do not travel. The place is known more to Vietnamese travelers, however, it is possible that in the near future this place will be more famous for everyone and will become a tourist site. Chieng Khoa is a small and remoted village.
chieng-khoa-waterfall-moc-chau-son-la
One of the views of Chiang Khoa Waterfall in Son La province.


Chieng Khoa Waterfall is about 30 km from Moc Chau, accessible on motorbike.

    • Chieng Khoa Waterfall is located outside the tourist destinations and places of the province of Son La. You will not find any tourist hotels or large resorts or historical monuments in the area. Nature, mountain sceneries and tea plantations nearby, small villages and a 7-floor large beautiful waterfall, you can see it all if you go on a trip to this place. Each of the floors of this waterfall is approximately 5-10 m high.

Where to stay in Moc Chau

accommodation-moc-chau-vietnam

    • Although the place is one of the less visited places, it depends on when you come here. It may happen that if you come out of season (in winter months), there will not be a foot here, but it may also happen that you come here and some Vietnamese tourists will be here. It’s just a coincidence. There are no restaurants or hotels in the area, but sometimes there may be local restaurant to cook for you. However, I recommend to take some snacks with you. In a nearby village, but also along the way, it is possible to buy something small to eat. It cannot be ruled out that in time some permanent restaurant will be built here.
chieng-khoa-waterfall-moc-chau-vietnam
About 3 km from Chieng Khoa Waterfall (Thác Chiềng Khoa) near the village of the same name.


How to get to Chieng Khoa Waterfall? Private transfer or motorcycle.

    • Chieng Khoa Waterfall is located about 30 km from the town of Moc Chau, Son La Province, the village of Chieng Khoa. It is a small village that lies between tea plantations and rice terraces. It is a non-touristy place and there are no public buses or train to Chieng Khoa. So you must take a private transfer (possible taxi from the town of Moc Chau) or rent a motorcycle – scooter, it is quite an easy way to the waterfall. You can rent a motorbike, for example, in the town of Moc Chau (try to ask directly at the hotel, stay) and the travel time to the Chieng Khoa is about 1.5 hour.

Tickets from Hanoi to Moc Chau

    • From the town of Moc Chau to Chieng Khoa, there is only one quite good road, see the map. So you will not drive any field paths or forests and you will drive all the way through a very nice passage with views of the mountain ranges, tea plantations and a few rice terraces. Drive slowly and carefully, even if the road to the site is asphalt, occasionally there may be holes in the road or a damaged road, but only in exceptional cases. Be sure to refuel a full tank for your motorcycle and pack some drink + snack.
chieng-khoa-waterfall-moc-chau-tea
Similar images of tea plantations are almost all the way to Chieng Khoa Waterfall from Moc Chau.


When to go to Chieng Khoa Waterfall, what is the best time for visit?

    • You can visit Chieng Khoa Waterfall all year round. The bes time to visit Chieng Khoa Waterfall could be in the fall, when the weather is still quite warm until 20-25 °C. The same is true as in other parts of northern Vietnam, meaning that in the monsoon season, the roads to the waterfall may be less passable. If the weather is very rainy or the flood period, for example, I recommend to choose another time to visit this place.

Book your private tour in Vietnam

In the monsoon / rainy season, the waterfall can be very flooded.

    • If it is the monsoon season (summer months), the waterfall can be very flooded and swimming can be dangerous. Swimming is possible, but I strongly recommend, be very careful, because there are enough sharp stones in the water, if there is an accident, you also do not have to call for any help. I would rather not recommend swimming on my own at this place and I leave it to your discretion and I don’t even have the opportunity to influence it in any way. Definitely avoid jumping from heights into the water, it’s dangerous, there are a lot of stones in the water.
chieng-khoa-waterfall-thac-nang-tien
Although it may not seem so, the Chieng Khoa waterfall is quite extensive, the view from the lower floor of the waterfall.


Where to stay in Moc Chau? Homestay, private bungalow or hotel?

    • It is not possible to accommodate at Chieng Khoa Waterfall unless you find a homestay in a nearby village.There are no hotels and resorts on site, so the best option is to stay in Moc Chau town and go on a short trip to this place. Moc Chau offers various forms of accommodation – homestays, bungalows, guesthouses but also a few quality hotels for demanding tourists. Prices are low, the cheapest option is usually a homestay and there are also some cheaper guesthouses.

➜ Accommodation in Moc Chau (very well rated):
The November – Moc Chau
Moc Chau Cottage Homestay
Lavallee Bungalow
Doi House
Green Hotel Moc Chau
Phoenix Moc Chau Hotel
Muong Thanh Holiday Hotel

lavalee-bungalow-moc-chau-vietnam
Lavalle Bungalow in Moc Chau – tourist resort, cottages, bungalows (photo: Agoda).
doi-house-moc-chau-vietnam
Doi House in Moc Chau – accommodation for travelers, backpackers (photo: Agoda).


❓ Chieng Khoa Waterfall: FAQ & Travel Tips

How do you get from Hanoi to Chieng Khoa Waterfall?

Travel by bus or minivan to Moc Chau, then continue by motorbike or private car. Book tickets on Baolau or 12Go Asia.

How do you get to Chieng Khoa Waterfall from Moc Chau?

Drive by motorbike or private car from Moc Chau. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, and there is no public transport.

How much is the entrance fee to Chieng Khoa Waterfall?

Admission is about 30,000 VND, with parking around 10,000 VND. Fees may vary by season.

How large is Chieng Khoa Waterfall?

The waterfall stretches for several hundred meters and cascades over seven impressive limestone levels.

Can you buy food and drinks at the waterfall?

Only limited refreshments are available, usually from small seasonal stalls near the entrance.

Can you stay overnight near Chieng Khoa Waterfall?

There are no hotels at the waterfall. Stay in Moc Chau or choose a nearby local homestay.

Where is Chieng Khoa Waterfall located?

The waterfall is about 30 km east of Moc Chau in Son La Province, surrounded by mountains and rice fields.

When is the best time to visit Chieng Khoa Waterfall?

Autumn offers pleasant weather, while summer has stronger waterfalls but heavier rain and more difficult road conditions.

Why is Chieng Khoa Waterfall worth visiting?

This peaceful waterfall is surrounded by tea hills, rice terraces and villages of ethnic minorities.

What other attractions can you visit nearby?

Visit nearby Thac Nang Tien Waterfall, just 2 km before Chieng Khoa.

What should you be careful about when visiting?

Take care when swimming, as rocks are slippery and water levels can rise quickly after heavy rain.

Is Vietnam a good destination for solo travelers?

Read our guide to solo travel in Vietnam.

What should first-time visitors expect from Vietnamese culture?

Learn about local traditions in our guide to Vietnamese culture.

BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Vietnam


Route map from Moc Chau to Chieng Khoa Waterfall:

(this is the main travel route to Chieng Khoa Waterfall, with a few exceptions quite a good road).

moc-chau-to-chieng-khoa-waterfall-map
This is the main travel route from Moc Chau town to Chiang Khoa Waterfall.


Chieng Khoa Waterfall and surroundings near Moc Chau – Photos:

moc-chau-chieng-khoa-travel
On the way to the village of Chieng Khoa, view from the main road of QL43 near the town of Moc Chau.
chieng-khoa-waterfall-moc-chau-vietnam
Chieng Khoa Waterfall (in Vietnamese: Thác Chiềng Khoa) is a part of Son La province.
waterfall-chieng-khoa-moc-chau
One of the upper floors of the Chieng Khoa Waterfall, waterfall is surrounded by nature.
tea-plantation-moc-chau-chieng-khoa
Tea plantations near the village of Chieng Khoa, on the way from Moc Chau to Chieng Khoa Waterfall.
chieng-khoa-van-ho-son-la-waterfall
Hilly surrounding behind the village of Chieng Khoa, in the middle of the photo you will see another waterfall.
chieng-khoa-waterfall-vietnam-son-la
Chieng Khoa Waterfall in the village of Chieng Khoa, Son La province.
thac-chieng-khoa-vietnam-moc-chau
Down below the Chieng Khoa Waterfall at Moc Chau.
tea-plantations-moc-chau-vietnam
You will drive through the tea plantations on the way to Chieng Khoa Waterfall from Moc Chau.
moc-chau-son-la-vietnam
On the road from Chieng Khoa to Moc Chau.
chieng-khoa-waterfall-moc-chau-vietnam-guide
Chieng Khoa Waterfall in Moc Chau: Pin it for Pinterest!

Hotels in Cao BangHanoi to Dien BienBuon Ma Thuot to HanoiDa Lat to Buon Ma ThuotBuon Ma Thuot to Nha TrangVinh to Dong Hoi

Son La Province ➜

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 2

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

About the author:
Hi, my name is Milan and I’m from the Czech Republic. I’m an independent traveler and the creator of this guide about northern Vietnam. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring this beautiful region — especially its mountains, nature, and ethnic culture. This website was born from my personal travel experiences, and I regularly update it with new tips and information to help fellow travelers. Follow our Facebook page for updates. This site was built with passion ❤️. Read more about the author
Share: