Bach Ma (White Horse) is well known to tourists as an awe-inspiring and scenic mountain range with a serpentine pass in central Vietnam.

The 1.5-kilometer-high range straddles the border between coastal Thua Thien-Hue Province and the central metropolis of Da Nang, and is situated just under 50 kilometers away from the province.

It boasts lush vegetation, a long mountain pass with sharp bends, overwhelming views, and the mesmerizing Do Quyen Waterfall, where water falls from a height of 300 meters.

To avoid troubles associated with persistent rain typically between September and February, it would be better to visit the range in the rest of the year, when temperatures may hover around 26 degrees Celsius despite the 39-degree summer heat in neighboring Thua Thien-Hue.

A pass on the side of the Bach Ma Range in central Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Phong

A pass on the side of the Bach Ma Range in central Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Phong

The mountain has an eponymous national park with directions to places of interest and visitors can get to the highest place there from the park entrance after traveling along the 20-kilometer pass, flanked by dense trees all along the way.

There are many old buildings erected by the French during the colonial era on the road and these promise to be nice spots for taking pictures.

At the apex of the Bach Ma Range inside the park is an ancient-architecture building called Hai Vong Dai (Sea Watch Station), which earns the name as one can see the sea from the position although the view may be shrouded by fog.

An old-design building called Hai Vong Dai on the top of the highest mountain in Bach Ma Range in central Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Phong

A bell on the top of the highest mountain in Bach Ma Range in central Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Phong

Tourists can breathe in crisp air, touch sailing clouds and ring a large metal bell at the top to hear an echoing sound through the forest below.

From this point, people may walk on a jungle trail or return on the original road in order to reach Ngu Ho (Five Lakes) – a cluster of five adjacent waterfalls with limpid freezing water.

Taking the trail is well advised, as visitors will have the chance to see interesting plants, flowers and animals on the route.

The silky Do Quyen Waterfall is around two kilometers away from the cluster and efforts to negotiate the streams and cross the bridges along the way make the experience of getting there more worthwhile.

Do Quyen Waterfall in Bach Ma Range in central Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Phong

Taking this route, tourists will arrive at the top of the waterfall, not its bottom, which can be reached after going down a steep flight of 600 steps.

It is a good idea to take pants, long-sleeved shirts, boots, socks, hats and raincoats to avoid being bitten by numerous insects and getting wet in sudden heavy rains.

A first-aid kit is necessary in case of insect bites or ankle sprain.

A spring in Bach Ma Range in central Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Phong

An aerial view of the Bach Ma Range in central Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Phong

A bird’s-eye view of Hai Vong Dai, situated on the top of the highest mountain in Bach Ma Range in central Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Phong

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