Silver Waterfall Sapa 2026: Thac Bac Ticket, Map & Tips

Silver Waterfall (Thác Bạc) is a roughly 200 m cascade beside National Highway 4D, about 12 km from Sapa town on the road up O Quy Ho Pass. Named for its silvery spray and listed as a provincial scenic site since 2023, it is reached by a short stepped loop for about 20,000 VND and takes 30–45 minutes to see.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily as normal in daytime; entrance about 20,000 VND. After the July 2025 reorganisation the falls lie in Sa Pa ward of the enlarged Lao Cai province (merged with Yen Bai). The steps are wet and slippery after rain, and the flow is weakest in the dry winter months.

Why Silver Waterfall is worth seeing:

Big drop, little effort: about 200 m of falling water visible from the roadside.
Cheap and quick: one of the least expensive tickets in Sapa and a 30–45 minute stop.
Footbridge view: a small bridge at the top of the loop puts you right in the spray.
On the way to bigger sights: the natural first stop on a trip to O Quy Ho Pass, Love Waterfall or Rong May Glass Bridge.
Officially protected: recognised as a provincial scenic relic by Lao Cai in December 2023.

Silver Waterfall at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Thác Bạc (Silver Waterfall)
Location	Beside National Highway 4D, Sa Pa ward (formerly O Quy Ho ward, Sa Pa town), Lao Cai province
Distance	About 12 km from Sapa town centre (some sources say up to 15 km), 20–30 minutes by car
Height	About 200 m in total drop; the site sits at roughly 1,800–2,000 m above sea level
Known for	Silvery spray, stepped viewing loop, footbridge, roadside location
Recognition	Provincial-level scenic relic (Lao Cai Decision 3415/QĐ-UBND, 31 December 2023)
Opening hours	Daytime
Entrance fee	About 20,000 VND per person (about US$0.80)
Time needed	30–45 minutes
Best time	April–September for strong flow; morning for softer light
Nearby	O Quy Ho Pass, Tram Ton Pass and Love Waterfall, Rong May Glass Bridge
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor

Is Silver Waterfall Worth Visiting?

Yes, as a short stop on the way up the pass, not as a destination on its own. The falls are tall and photogenic, the ticket is cheap and the walk is short. Do not expect a wild, remote waterfall: there are stalls, steps and plenty of visitors. Combine it with Tram Ton Pass and Love Waterfall to make a satisfying half day.

Best for: families, travellers with limited mobility for long treks, anyone driving O Quy Ho Pass.
Skip if: you have already seen many big waterfalls, or you visit in the driest winter months when the flow is thin.
Short on time: look from the road and take a photo; the full loop is optional.

About Silver Waterfall: Name and Background

The name Thác Bạc, “Silver Waterfall”, comes from the way the water breaks into white spray that glints silver in the sun. From a distance the falls look like a white ribbon hanging from the mountain; Vietnamese writers often compare them up close to a roaring white dragon.

The falls tumble from the forested slopes of the Hoang Lien Son range straight down to the edge of National Highway 4D. In December 2023 the Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee ranked Silver Waterfall as a provincial-level scenic relic, requiring a protection and management plan for the site. Lao Cai’s provincial newspaper reported that it receives tens of thousands of visitors a year.

What to See at Silver Waterfall

1. The roadside view

Even before you buy a ticket, the upper falls are visible from the road and car park, framed by forest and rock.

2. The stepped loop path

A loop of roughly 500 m climbs steep concrete and stone steps on one side of the falls and descends on the other. Fit visitors walk it in 15–20 minutes; take longer for photos.

3. The footbridge

The highest point of the loop is a small bridge across the stream, close enough to feel the spray. It is the best spot for photos looking up the falls.

4. Pools and rocks at the base

At the bottom the water spreads over rocks into shallow pools. The rocks are slippery and swimming is not advised, so enjoy the view from the paths.

5. Stalls and local snacks

Around the entrance, H’Mong and Dao vendors sell grilled corn, sweet potatoes, herbal products and handicrafts.

Silver Waterfall Tickets and Opening Hours (2026)

Ticket	Price	Notes
Entrance (per person)	About 20,000 VND (about US$0.80)	Pay at the kiosk by the car park
Parking	Small fee	Car park beside NH4D
Opening hours	Daytime only; there is no lighting for evening visits

The entrance fee is collected by the local site manager and can change; carry small notes in cash.

How to Visit Silver Waterfall, Step by Step

Drive or ride about 12 km from Sapa on NH4D towards Lai Chau.
Park at the roadside car park and buy your ticket at the kiosk.
Walk the loop: many visitors prefer to climb the left-hand side and come down the other, saving the best views for the descent.
Pause on the footbridge for photos, then return to the car park.
Continue up the pass to Tram Ton and Love Waterfall, or back to Sapa.

How to Get to Silver Waterfall

From	How	Time
Sapa town centre	Taxi or private car on NH4D	20–30 minutes
Sapa town centre	Motorbike with a local driver	About 25 minutes
Tram Ton Pass	Car, downhill on NH4D	About 10 minutes
Rong May Glass Bridge	Car over the summit on NH4D	About 15–20 minutes

Best Time to Visit Silver Waterfall

When	What to expect
April–September	Strongest flow, lush forest; rain likely in afternoons
September–November	Good flow early in the season, clearer skies, pleasant temperatures
December–February	Cold and dry; thinner flow, occasional frost nearby
Time of day	Morning for fewer groups; mid-afternoon if combining with sunset at Tram Ton

Local Expert Tips for Silver Waterfall

These tips come from years of arranging Sapa tours for international travellers.

Wear shoes with grip; the steps are wet from spray even on dry days.
Treat Silver Waterfall as stop one of an O Quy Ho afternoon, not a separate trip.
If you only want one waterfall, choose Silver Waterfall for ease, Love Waterfall for a forest walk.
Keep 10,000–20,000 VND notes ready for the ticket and parking.
For a quieter waterfall closer to town, see the falls in Cat Cat Village.

Silver Waterfall vs Love Waterfall

	Silver Waterfall	Love Waterfall
Height	About 200 m	About 100 m
Access	Beside the road, short stepped loop	Forest path of a little over 1 km
Fee	About 20,000 VND	About 70,000 VND
Setting	Roadside, busy	Inside Hoang Lien National Park, quieter
Time needed	30–45 minutes	1–1.5 hours

Our view: Silver Waterfall is the quick, easy one; Love Waterfall is the nicer walk. With half a day, do both on the same road, ending at the Tram Ton Pass viewpoint for sunset.

Nearby Attractions

O Quy Ho Pass – Vietnam’s long mountain road between Sapa and Lai Chau.
Tram Ton Pass – Heaven’s Gate viewpoint and Love Waterfall.
Rong May Glass Bridge – glass lift and skywalk on the Lai Chau side.
Fansipan Mountain – Vietnam’s highest peak.
Sapa Stone Church – the landmark of Sapa town.
Cat Cat Village – H’Mong village with its own waterfall.

Sightseeing in Sapa for First-Time Visitors: Where Silver Waterfall Fits

Ideal plan: trek the Muong Hoa Valley in the morning, then drive the pass in the afternoon: Silver Waterfall, Love Waterfall and sunset at Heaven’s Gate. On another day ride up Fansipan and explore Ta Phin. For transport from the capital, see how to get from Hanoi to Sapa, and pack with our Sapa travel tips.

Plan your trip with our Sapa travel guide and Sapa tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.