Things to Do at Silver Waterfall (Thac Bac)

Silver Waterfall, or Thac Bac in Vietnamese, is one of Sapa's most accessible and genuinely impressive waterfalls. Located about 12 kilometers from Sapa town on the way to Fansipan, this 200-meter cascade gets its name from the way sunlight catches the water as it tumbles down the mountainside - though you'll find it's actually quite striking even on overcast days. The waterfall is fed by mountain streams and tends to be most dramatic during the rainy season, when the volume of water creates that thunderous sound you can hear from the parking area. What makes Silver Waterfall particularly appealing is that it doesn't require much of a trek to reach - you can actually drive right up to it, which makes it popular with tour groups but also means it's accessible for visitors who might not be up for serious hiking. The mist from the falls creates a surprisingly cool microclimate, and on hot days you'll find yourself lingering longer than expected. That said, it can get quite crowded, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM when the tour buses roll through.

Silver Waterfall sits 12 kilometers from Sapa on Highway 4D toward Fansipan. Most visitors join day tours or rent motorbikes for the mountain ride up. The road is paved but winds through steep sections. You can't miss the turnoff. Parking areas and vendor stalls mark the spot-plus plenty of other vehicles. Xe om drivers in Sapa know it well and charge 150,000-200,000 VND round trip.