Hai Van Pass is one of the must see attractions in Da Nang and Hoi An, Vietnam. On its 20-kilometers-long route which runs along a spectacular coastline, there are many spots with an incredibly beautiful view. Sitting atop this pass, at an elevation of nearly 500 meters, Hai Van Gate was constructed for defensive purposes. Due to snake-like roads with hairpin turns, it’s a favourite for bike riders and adventure lovers in Vietnam. Now, let’s HoiAn Day Trip Company provide all the information that you need to know about Hai Van Pass in Da Nang.
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• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Hai Van Pass in Vietnam
– Location/address: Hoa Hiep Bac ward, Lien Chieu district, Da Nang city and Lang Co town, Phu Loc district, Hue city, Vietnam
– Name’s meaning: Hai Van means ‘ocean cloud’ in Vietnamese
– How to pronounce:
– Other name(s): Lang Co Pass, Deo Hai Van
– Opening hours: sunrise to sunset
– Ticket price: free
– Length: 20 kilometers
– Height/elevation: nearly 500 meters (approx 1,640 ft)
– Reason(s) to visit: one of the most beautiful mountain passes in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, striking views, Hai Van Gate
– Best time to visit: early morning, late afternoon
– Time to spend: 30-60 mins
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/hai-van-pass-travel-guide
– Recognition(s): the best coast road in the world (2008)
– Food & drink: yes available
– Shopping: yes available (on the top)
– Tour guide: contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Fact:
Hai Van Pass on Map
Hai Van Pass History
Before the early 14th century, Hai Van Pass belonged to the Champa kingdom, a state owned by Cham people whose culture was influenced by Indians. They constructed Hindu temples/towers and citadels, now remaining on both sides of this pass. My Son Sanctuary, a complex of over 71 buildings and a Unesco world heritage site, is on its southern side. After marriage between Vietnamese princess Huyen Tran and Cham emperor Che Man, Hai Van Pass and lands between it and Thu Bon River, were belonged to Vietnamese kingdom Dai Viet.
In many centuries in the past, Hai Van Pass was known as one of the most dangerous passes on Thien Ly road (trans-Vietnam trail).
In 1826, Minh Mang king requested to build Hai Van Gate on the top of Hai Van Pass. It served as a military post to control traffic on the pass route and boats below Da Nang Bay (especially European boats), defending the southernmost point of Hue Citadel.
In French colonial time, in the 19th and 20th centuries, Hai Van Pass was known as ‘road without joy’.
On 5th June 2005, Hai Van Tunnel, a building helping to reduce driving time and traffic accidents on Hai Van Pass, was inaugurated. It is 6 kilometers long, making it the longest road tunnel in the Southeast Asia region and allows two-way traffic.
On 11st January 2021, Hai Van Tunnel 2, was officially opened.
Things to See & Do in Hai Van Pass Vietnam
Scenic Viewpoints on Hai Van Pass
Along its 20-kilometers-long route of Hai Van Pass which runs by one rugged coastline (a spur of the Annamite Range jutting into the sea), visitors will find many scenic viewpoints. At these spots, the view is extremely beautiful and sure, there are many photo/video opportunities. Here are lookouts where you must know (from south to north or from Da Nang/Hoi An to Lang Co/Hue):
– ‘Lang Van Beach’ Viewpoint: From here, visitors can see empty, crescent, beautiful sandy beaches at the foot of the mountain. Several times a day, the train is seen. The nearer beach is named ‘Tunnel Beach’ because it’s near a railway tunnel. The further beach is called ‘Lang Van Beach’ or ‘Cloud Village Beach’, named after a village where lepers ever lived. From 1968 to 1998, one leprosy hospital was established there, to isolate and cure local lepers. Nowadays, the village’s abandoned inhabitants returned to the city. Nearby, there is a lovely cape known as Isabelle Cape by French people and Hon Hanh by Vietnamese people (meaning ‘Onion Mountain/Hill’). On the other side of the bay, on the horizon line, visitors can see Son Tra Peninsula or Monkey Mountain by Americans. It looks like a clam.
Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c7Ye6pma3SyfRA4Q6
– The Lonely Pinetree (Cay Thong Co Don): From here, visitors can see the whole Da Nang Bay which is blue, peaceful. It’s not difficult to walk down to the giant rock (known as ‘turtle rock’) and stand on its top to photograph. Behind it, there is a lovely cape known as Isabelle Cape by French people and Hon Hanh by Vietnamese people (meaning ‘Onion Mountain/Hill’). On the other side of the bay, Son Tra Peninsula or Monkey Mountain by Americans is . By the mountainside, it’s possible to see a local coffee shop, to have a break and drink.
Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EXBtPTZhikksrep38
– The Turtle Rock (Hon Da Cu Rua): At a higher elevation than the Alone Pinetree, this is a giant rock where visitors can climb to the top and see/photograph a panoramic view. Here, there are a couple of rustic shops selling coffee and other beverages as well as souvenirs and fruits. Why not have a seat and chill out?
Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GiFSZmDfqwLgv5Q57
– Hairpin Turn (Da Nang’s Side): From here, visitors can see the curving road on Hai Van Pass and one of the most impressive bends on it. Trucks are still allowed to move, therefore it’s needed to be careful when stopping aside or going across the road.
Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vrUu9FpsGNytrVWP6
– Hai Van Gate (Top of Hai Van Pass): At an elevation of nearly 500 meters, from here, visitors can observe both Da Nang Bay and Lang Co Bay, two of the most beautiful bayscapes in Vietnam. On Da Nang’s side, there is a steep mountain slope with dense forests with white-sandy beaches at its foot, blue and calm ocean, and clam-like Son Tra Peninsula/Monkey Mountain. In Lang Co’s side, there is a long peninsula (town) with a lengthy sandy beach on the right side, lying between the sea and the lagoon. On the other side of the pass road, it’s possible to see coffee shops with a view. See more information & details
Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9cEegrkFasqsRonq5
– ‘Lang Co Beach’ Viewpoint: Near the north end of Hai Van Pass, here visitors can see/photograph a majestic panoramic view to Lang Co town. This town is on a peninsula with the ocean on one side (east) and the lagoon on the other side (west). Between the pass route and this fishing town, there is a small estuary with fisherman boats moving inlands/outlands and modern bridges leading into the Hai Van Tunnels. In far distances, high mountains are topped with clouds throughout the year. Lang Co Beach, the 6-kilometers-long unspoiled beach, is seen clearly from this spot. A few times a day, the road must be closed to allow the train to cross. It’s quite interesting to watch and take some photos for memory. Within Top Gear: Vietnam Special episode, the hosts said that the scenery to Lang Co town from Hai Van Pass, is the metaphor for Vietnam.
Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/i6F9AhhMHDKvkGMr8
Hai Van Gate on Top of Hai Van Pass
Sitting on the top of Hai Van Pass, Hai Van Gate was built in 1825 by request of the Minh Mang king. He wanted to use this building to control traffic on the pass road (trans-Vietnam road) and boats on Da Nang Bay below as well as defend the southernmost point of Hue capital city. This military post includes two gates opening to both sides, a soldier’s house, and bronze cannons. During the colonial period, it’s destroyed by the French, later added by some bunkers, and only two entrance gates remain. From 2021 to 2024, Hai Van Gate was completely restored. See more information & details
In the 15th century, Le Thanh Tong king praised Hai Van Pass as ‘the most majestic wonder of the world (Vietnam)’. This sentence was carved on the board above one of entrances at Hai Van Gate.
Riding Motorbike Over Hai Van Pass
Hai Van Pass is one of favourite routes for motorbike riders and adventure lovers in Vietnam. No doubt, it offers a fascinating ride due to its winding 20-kilometers-long road, stretching along a rugged mountain by the sea (its top is 500 meters above the sea level). This experience stands out thanks to great natural scenery on both sides, kool hairpin turns and impressive bends.
Everyday, there are lots of visitors (both local and foreigner) going on a motorbike ride along Hai Van Pass. It’s an adventure that should not be missed out for anyone who likes a journey full of freedom and joy.
In 2008, riding the motorbike over Hai Van Pass was part of BBC motoring programme Top Gear: Vietnam Special, a famous show across the world. One of the hosts said that this pass was ‘deserted ribbon of perfection’ and ‘the best coast road in the world’.
Comparing to Ha Giang loop, the drive on Hai Van Pass is shorter to be done but the scenery is different. Here, visitors can see scenic lookouts to catch a view to the sea and the coastline (instead of rivers) and mountains covered by dense forests (instead of dry, treeless limestone mountains). If possible, we recommend riding on both places and find our your own better option.
Lap An Lagoon
On the northern side or Hue’s side, Lap An Lagoon is a shallow 800-hectare brackish water lake. It’s well known for a picturesque scenery that is harmoniously combined between high wooded mountains topped by clouds, their reflection on clear and blue water and oyster farms. For that reason, this is a popular tourist spot between Hue and Da Nang/Hoi An. Here, visitors can enjoy viewing and taking pictures, trying fresh seafood at floating restaurants (especially oysters) and going shopping (buying pearls, cajeput oil, etc). See more information & details
Lang Co Beach
Train Ride along Hai Van Pass
Tips to Visit Hai Van Pass
How to Get to Hai Van Pass
Self Driving Motorbike to Hai Van Pass
From Da Nang city centre or My Khe Beach, the best motorbike route is Nguyen Tat Thanh St – Nguyen Luong Bang St – Nguyen Van Cu St – Hai Van Pass. To go back, riders can drive up to the top of the pass again and then down OR use the transfer service to go through Hai Van tunnels. Ticket counter for this service is near the south end of Nguyen Van St in Lang Co town.
From Hoi An, the best motorbike route is Lac Long Quan St – Truong Sa St (past the Marble Mountains, Non Nuoc Beach) – Vo Nguyen Giap St – Vo Van Kiet St – Dragon Bridge – Bach Dang St – Nguyen Tat Thanh St – Nguyen Luong Bang St – Nguyen Van Cu St – Hai Van Pass. To go back, riders can drive up to the top of the pass again and then down OR use the transfer service to go through Hai Van tunnels. Ticket counter for this service is near the south end of Nguyen Van St in Lang Co town.
From Hue city centre, the best motorbike route is Highway 1A – Phuoc Tuong Pass – Phu Gia Pass – Lang Co Town (Nguyen Van St to see Lap An Lagoon) – Hai Van Pass. To go to Da Nang then, follow the route: Nguyen Van Cu St – Nguyen Luong Bang St – Nguyen Tat Thanh St – Bach Dang St. To go to Hoi An, find the quickest road to the coastal road Vo Nguyen Giap St or Truong Sa St and follow it (ride straight away) until Hoi An. Riders will go past the Marble Mountains.
If not confident in riding by your own, visitors can book a tour or a local rider to discover the Hai Van Pass route. One of advantages from this option is being free to take photos or make videos.
Is Hai Van Pass Worth Visiting?
Hai Van Pass is totally worth visiting. Here are reasons why:
– Hai Van Pass is long, winding, packed with scenic viewpoints. During the rainy season, its top is covered by cloud/fog.
– Hai Van Gate on the top of Hai Van Pass is one of the most interesting attractions in Da Nang/Hoi An. It dates back from the first half of 19th century.
Fun Facts about Hai Van Pass
– Hai Van Pass is the geographical boundary between north Vietnam climate and south Vietnam climate. It serves as a shield to fence the cold from the north into the south.
– In the past decades, Hai Van Pass was famous for traffic accidents and deaths. Although safe today, many Vietnamese people still think that it is very dangerous.
Places to Visit near Hai Van Pass
Near Hai Van Pass, on Da Nang side, visitors can go to Mikazuki Water Park 365 (an indoor water park with slides, swimming pool, Japanese style spas, restaurants), Red Beach (Xuan Thieu Beach) (a non-touristy beach on the edge of Da Nang Bay), Nam O Fish Sauce Village (a famous traditional fish sauce making village in the region), Nam O Reef (a rocky cape with scenic views).
Near Hai Van Pass, on Hue/Lang Co side, visitors can go to Lang Co Beach (a 6-kilometers-long soft sandy beach lined by resorts and seafood restaurants), Lap An Lagoon (a picturesque brackish water lake at the foot of high mountains, with oyster farms), Lang Co Fishing Village (an authentic fisherman village in a peninsula between the lagoon and the ocean), Suoi Mo (Dream Springs) (a cool-water stream running down from a national park), Bach Ma National Park (an untouched forest zone with high biodiversity, tall waterfalls and trekking trails).
Guided Tours to Hai Van Pass Vietnam
Here are typical tours to/include Hai Van Pass:
– Hai Van Pass Tour By Car: Viewpoints, Old Gate, Café, More
– Hai Van Pass Loop Motorbike Tour from Da Nang/Hoi An
– Hai Van Pass Day Tour from Hoi An
– Hue to Hoi An Motorbike Tour: Hai Van Pass, Easy Rider, More
– Hoi An to Hue Motorbike Tour: Hai Van Pass, Easy Rider, More
– Hue to Hoi An Jeep Tour
– Hai Van Pass Bike Tour
– Chan May Port to Golden Bridge & Hai Van Pass Transfer
– Hue to Hoi An Private Car Transfer via Hai Van Pass
Q&A about Hai Van Pass Vietnam
– Where is Hai Van Pass? Answer: Hai Van Pass is between Da Nang city and Lang Co fishing town, Hue city.
– How long is Hai Van Pass?
– How high is Hai Van Pass?
– Where does Hai Van Pass start and end?
– How long does the Hai Van Pass take?
– Is Hai Van Pass dangerous?
– Is Hai Van Pass safe?
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