Day trip
Ba Hồ: three pools on a forest stream 25 kilometres from the city
Ba Hồ is the closest real-forest trip from Nha Trang: a stream runs down Hòn Sơn mountain in three cascades and forms three natural pools at different heights. The first is accessible to almost everyone, the second and third require scrambling over rocks. Below is a developed leisure area with a swimming pool and a restaurant for those who don't go beyond the first level.
Where it is
About 25 kilometres north of Nha Trang, in Vạn Thuận village of the former Ninh Hòa district. The road follows the highway north, then a short turn-off to the park gate.
Read more →What to do
A footpath along the stream to the first pool, then boulder scrambling between the levels. Below: a swimming pool, kayaks and restaurants for those who don't go up.
How long
Half a day including the drive; if you want to reach the third pool and swim at each level, set off in the morning.
Getting there
We found no public transport to the park gate in official sources — count on a taxi or a car with a driver.
Distance
According to the provincial tourism centre, the Ba Hồ ecotourism area is about 25 kilometres north of Nha Trang, in Vạn Thuận village.
How to get there
A taxi or a private driver who waits is the most practical option; a motorbike suits experienced riders only, as part of the way is on the busy highway north.
When to go
Go in the morning to reach the upper pools and be back in the city before dark. In the rainy season, from mid-September to mid-December, the stream is stronger and the rocks slippery — the route above the first pool is less predictable then.
The route along the water
The Ba Hồ stream rises on Hòn Sơn mountain, 660 metres high, and on its way down forms three large pools at different heights.
The first pool
Reachable by a footpath along the stream with practically no preparation — most visitors come this far.
The second and third pools
Beyond that the path turns into scrambling over boulders with height differences; whether you reach the end depends on your fitness and the day's weather. Return the same way.
Down by the gate
A developed area with bungalows, a restaurant, a swimming pool, kayaks and a Skywalk platform — an option for those who came to relax rather than climb rocks.
Practicalities
What the park's official website confirms on the date of our check.
Hours and ticket
As of 22.09.2026 the complex's website lists hours of 7:00–16:30 and an entry ticket of 135,000 VND, which includes access to the spring, the pool and water games, plus the Skywalk platform.
What to bring
Shoes with a grippy sole, a change of clothes for swimming, and a dry bag for your phone and documents on the stretch between the pools, where you need your hands free.
Safety
Jump into the water only where you can see the depth and the bottom. After heavy rain the current gets stronger and the rocks slippery; on such days it is wiser to stay in the lower area by the gate.
Before you leave
Quick checklist
- 01Leave in the morning — the drive, the trek and the return take most of the day.
- 02Wear shoes with a grippy sole: the rocks at the second and third pools are slippery even in dry weather.
- 03Put your phone and documents in a dry bag before the stretch between the pools.
- 04Check the forecast the day before — after heavy rain the route above the first pool is harder.
- 05Agree a fixed waiting time with the driver in advance.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
How long is the walk to the first pool?+
The source gives no official time in minutes; the route is on foot along the stream and needs no special preparation.
Do I need to be particularly fit?+
Not for the first pool. For the second and third the route becomes rock scrambling with height differences, and it's best to decide on the spot based on how you feel.
Can I get there without a car?+
We found no official bus route to the park gate. The practical option is a taxi that waits or a car with a driver for the day.
Is it worth going in the rainy season?+
You can, but the route above the first pool is less predictable then: a strong current and slippery rocks. Check the weather on the day of the trip.
What does the entry ticket include?+
According to the park's official website as of 22.09.2026, the ticket includes access to the spring, the pool, water games and the Skywalk platform — the trek to the pools is not charged separately.