The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Dak Lak will close three waterfalls to visitors during the Lunar New Year due to insufficient infrastructure and safety risks. Local authorities will manage access, prioritize safety, and reinforce regulations. The decision aims for sustainable tourism development while protecting the environment.
The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced that three waterfalls in Dak Lak-Krong Kmar Waterfall in Krong Bong Commune, Dray K’nao Waterfall in M’Drak Commune, and Thuy Tien Waterfall in Phu Xuan Commune-will be closed to visitors during the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday in mid-February.
According to the department, the sites currently lack essential infrastructure, including visitor facilities, security personnel, and rescue equipment, posing potential safety risks. None of the three waterfalls has been officially designated as a tourism site, and all remain within protected forest areas.
Local authorities have therefore been instructed to strengthen management and prevent tourist access during the holiday period. Commune-level administrations have been tasked with conducting regular inspections and reminding residents and businesses not to organize or receive visitors at the sites.
Phan Tien Thanh, Chairman of the Phu Xuan Commune administration, said Thuy Tien Waterfall is classified as a national scenic site and is managed by the Forest Protection Management Board under the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment. While the commune oversees administrative matters, the land itself falls under protected forest management.
Thanh added that proposals to temporarily open Thuy Tien Waterfall to visitors during Tet were rejected, as no approved plan for sustainable forest management or tourism development is currently in place.
To ensure safe and orderly tourism operations during the holiday season, the provincial tourism department has established inspection teams to assess preparedness at tourism businesses from January 26 to February 6. In the event of incidents affecting visitor health or safety, operators are required to report immediately to the department’s tourism management division for prompt support.
The department has also advised travel agencies to review their programmes, ensure service readiness, and develop appropriate promotions to meet heightened travel demand during Tet.
The decision reflects Dak Lak’s cautious approach to tourism development, prioritising visitor safety and environmental protection alongside long-term sustainability.
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