Situated at an elevation of 700 meters in Kim Ngan Commune, on the southwestern edge of erstwhile Quang Binh Province (now Quang Tri Province), the fall is situated close to the Vietnam - Laos border.
It is part of a reserve that spans 500,000 hectares and is home to tropical forests. Photographer Nguyen Trong Cung, 34, captured a view of Duong Cam during an early-July trip to photograph the region's landscapes.
Starting in Dong Hoi Ward, he drove about an hour along the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway to reach the trekking point. From there, it was a three - kilometer hike, over two hours on foot, to the top of the falls. The trail remains untouched, with no power lines or mobile signal.
According to Cung, each of Duong Cam Waterfall's three tiers has its own unique scenery. The bottom tier features a pool encircled by a canopy barely penetrated by sunlight. The fresh air provides relief from the summer heat.
"The Truong Son mountain road winds through layers of primeval forest, broken by streams that look like they came out of a painting," Cung said.
In December 2021 the former Quang Binh Province approved an experience tour in the area operated by a travel agency and the reserve management board.
Before the trek begins, organizers provide safety gear, lead warm-up exercises and assign porters to assist travelers.
Cung notes that the terrain around the waterfall is slippery due to moss-covered rocks, and so it is important to stay close to the guide and watch one's step. The picture shows a trekking group pausing for taking photos at the first tier by the pool.
The middle tier is considered the most challenging to trek through, with hikers struggling to maintain their footing on the mossy rocks even with ropes and safety equipment. Cung notes that the challenges of the climb are impossible to convey through a camera lens.
The Dong Chau - Khe Nuoc Trong Nature Reserve is rich in biodiversity with over 1,030 plant and 400 animal species, including 44 listed in Vietnam's Red Data Book.
At the second tier, within the reserve's core zone, fallen trees stretch across the stream, covered in lichens and ferns. Trekkers often pause here to rest before continuing the climb.
After more than two hours of hiking, the group reached the top of Duong Cam. Exhausted but satisfied, each found a corner to rest, soaking in the natural beauty far removed from the outside world.
From the top, one can see the forest roll out to the horizon. Sometimes, a rainbow appears as sunlight hits the mist at the base of the waterfall.
Duong Cam trekking tours last either one day or two with an overnight stay. For those who stay overnight, the journey continues with a cultural experience in Rum Ho Village, home to the Bru – Van Kieu ethnic group. After the trek, visitors rest in stilt houses, share food with the locals, and warm up by a fire as the mountain air becomes chill in the evening.
