Hang De Cho Waterfall

Háng Đề Chơ - also written Háng Tề Chơ - is a waterfall near the Hmông village of Đề Chơ in Trạm Tấu, on the natural border between the former provinces of Yên Bái and Sơn La. The area is often quoted at around 1,800 m above sea level. The falls drop more than 100 m (some visitors put it at around 130 m) in a white curtain through old forest, and they're often called the Northwest's 'first waterfall' - one of the most majestic, and most dangerous to reach, in the region.

The falls sit beneath the Tà Xùa primary forest, known for its dense stands of pơ mu (Fujian cypress), a highly valuable timber. For years this made the area a hotspot for illegal logging - hard to reach and risky if you ran into the loggers. Today the old logging road is the way in, and the falls are still very wild: no railings, no landscaped paths, just moss-covered rocks, a large pool at the base and forest crowding the stream.

The road in has earned the waterfall a place among the Northwest's 'four deadly' destinations (tứ đại tử địa), and that reputation is a big part of its appeal to adventurous riders.

Since the July 2025 administrative changes, Làng Nhì has been merged into Phình Hồ commune, and Trạm Tấu now belongs to Lào Cai province; many guides still use the old names.

The falls are about 35 km from Nghĩa Lộ and roughly 200-210 km from Hanoi. Most visitors ride from Nghĩa Lộ via Phình Hồ and Làng Nhì, in four stages:

Along the road into the falls, a small turn-off has parking for cars and motorbikes, with food, drinks and petrol, and local riders wait there to take visitors in. There are two ways in: via Làng Nhì (about 6 km by motorbike taxi) or via Tà Xi Láng (about 3 km by motorbike taxi). Google Maps usually sends you via Tà Xi Láng, where the road past the commune office is rough; many visitors say the Làng Nhì side is easier, though both need a strong rider. If you'd rather walk, allow about an hour on foot.

After the ride, the falls are a shock in the best way: a tall, powerful curtain of water, the roar of the stream and cool, fresh air, even on hot summer days. Below the drop is a large pool with big rocks for photos, where the water flows slowly. A wooden bridge crosses the stream - visitors compare it to a greased pole. In high-water season, even standing near the base feels like a downpour, and on sunny days rainbows hang in the spray.

Facilities are basic. There are no homes at the falls themselves; a few huts nearby serve food and drinks and let you rest, at reasonable prices, and some households offer a night in a stilt or community house - bring warm clothes, as nights are cold even in summer. Camping overnight is possible but uncommon. Toilets and electricity are limited or absent, and visitors say the households here should agree on standard prices for services.

Treat Háng Đề Chơ as an adventure day from Nghĩa Lộ or Trạm Tấu rather than a quick stop. Allow 6-8 hours including the ride, set off by about 9 AM in dry weather, and head out by 3 PM. Most visitors spend 30 minutes to a couple of hours at the falls. Local riders know the road, so hiring one is safer and saves time.

Trạm Tấu is also the starting point for treks up Tà Chì Nhù, so you can combine the falls with a mountain trip in the same area.