Hai Van Pass: Breathtaking beauty

If you are looking for a memorable journey in Vietnam, do not miss the opportunity to explore Hai Van Pass. Lying across the Truong Son mountain range, 80km from Hue city and 20km from Da Nang city, Hai Van Pass is not only a road but also a masterpiece of nature, bringing unforgettable experiences to visitors. With a length of about 21km, 500m above sea level, Hai Van Pass is proud to be one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, praised by many international travel magazines.

The Majestic Beauty of Hai Van Pass

Hai Van Pass is also known as Cloud Pass because it is covered with clouds all year round, creating a magical and poetic scene. When traveling here, you will admire the perfect combination of majestic mountains and vast ocean. On one side is a steep cliff, on the other side is a blue coastline. The landscape changes constantly, from winding roads to sharp turns, each angle opens up a beautiful natural picture.

From the top of Hai Van Pass, you can see the whole sparkling city of Da Nang, Son Tra Peninsula, and further away is the vast East Sea. Especially on clear days, you can see small boats gliding on the sea, creating a vivid and vibrant picture.

The Heroic History of Hai Van Pass

Not only famous for its natural beauty, Hai Van Pass also carries heroic historical marks. Since ancient times, this has been an important trade route, as well as a strategic boundary between kingdoms and dynasties. On the top of the pass, you can find Hai Van Quan – an ancient architectural work built during the Nguyen Dynasty, as a testament to history and an important control point.

Hai Van Quan is not only a historical relic but also an ideal stop for visitors to rest, take photos and enjoy the fresh air. Standing here, you can feel the silence of time, immerse yourself in the ancient space and imagine the stories that have passed on this road.

Read more: Top 6 things to do in Danang

Experience Discovering Hai Van Pass

To truly feel the beauty of Hai Van Pass, you can choose from many different forms of transportation:

Motorbike:

This means of transportation is suitable for tourists who love freedom and adventure. Driving a motorbike through Hai Van Pass by yourself brings a sense of freedom, allowing you to stop at any time to admire the scenery, take pictures and explore beautiful hidden corners. The feeling of conquering the winding curves, immersing yourself in nature will be an unforgettable experience.

Private car:

This is a comfortable and safe choice. Experienced drivers will help you overcome the mountain passes safely, while you can still fully enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of the road.

Choose private car from Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass, safe driver, basic English communication, give you much necessary information as well as stop many attractions on the way such as: Lap An lagoon – Hai Van pass – Marble mountain

Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van pass

Train:

A unique way to see Hai Van Pass is by train. The railway goes through many tunnels and follows the mountainside, providing different perspectives of the majestic landscape. This is a great choice for those who want to relax and admire the beautiful scenery at a leisurely pace. There are two types of trains for tourists to choose when crossing Hai Van Pass: the North-South train and the Heritage train.

The North-South train:

Train number	Depart	Arrive
SE9	03:19	06:14
SE3	08:04	10:36
SE19	09:01	11:45
SE1	09:40	12:12
SE17	10:52	14:15
SE11	11:25	14:40
SE7	19:58	22:43
SE5	22:43	01:31

The Heritage train Hue – Danang

Train number	Depart	Arrive
HD1	07:05	10:10
HD3	14:05	17:40

Whichever means of transport you choose, make sure you are fully prepared and ensure your safety when traveling. The pass has many sharp turns and can be foggy, so driving carefully is extremely important.

Attractive Stops on Hai Van Pass

When exploring Hai Van Pass, don’t forget to stop at some prominent check-in spots:

Hai Van Quan:

Located on the top of Hai Van Pass, is an important historical site and the highest point where you can look far and wide and admire the whole view. Built during the Tran Dynasty and restored under the Nguyen Dynasty, this structure used to be an important military pass, carrying a long and heroic history. Standing at Hai Van Quan, visitors will feel the ancient atmosphere of an ancient fortress, while enjoying the majestic beauty of the winding Hai Van Pass, the blue Lang Co Bay to the North and the modern city of Da Nang to the South. This is not only a place to sightsee but also a destination to feel the harmonious blend of history, culture and majestic nature.

Lang Co Bay:

Located at the foot of Hai Van Pass in Hue city, Lang Co Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in the world with long sandy beaches, clear blue water and peaceful fishing villages. This is an ideal place for you to stop and rest, enjoy fresh seafood and enjoy the sea air.

Van village:

A small and almost isolated fishing village, hidden at the foot of the pass, Lang Van has a wild and peaceful beauty. To get here, you need to be a bit adventurous, but what you get will definitely be worth it.

C-curve:

A gently winding mountain pass forming a C shape, where you can take beautiful photos with the vast ocean behind. This is one of the favorite spots for many young people.

Notes when conquering Hai Van Pass

To make your trip smooth and memorable, please note the following:

The best time to go to Hai Van Pass is during the dry season, from March to September, when there is little rain, beautiful sunshine and clear visibility. Be careful when going during the rainy season (from October to February of the following year) because the road can be slippery and there is thick fog.
Bring a light jacket because it is often windy on the pass and the temperature can be lower. Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture beautiful moments.
If traveling by motorbike, always drive carefully, keep a safe distance and obey traffic rules. Check your vehicle before departure, especially the brakes and tires.

Places to visit near Hai Van Pass

After exploring the majestic beauty of Hai Van Pass and learning about the historical relic of Hai Van Quan, visitors can easily continue their journey to explore attractive nearby destinations, offering a variety of experiences from majestic nature to unique spiritual architectural works.

Lap An Lagoon

Located at the foot of Hai Van Pass, Lap An Lagoon is a beautiful brackish water lagoon, surrounded by the majestic Bach Ma mountain range and a large lagoon. This place offers a poetic natural landscape, especially at dawn or dusk when the sun turns the sky red. Visitors can stroll along the shore, take photos of small boats anchored or enjoy fresh seafood at floating restaurants on the lagoon.

Ba Na Hills

Not far from Hai Van Pass towards Da Nang, Ba Na Hills is a famous resort with a cool climate all year round and ancient French architecture. You will experience the longest cable car in the world, visit the ancient French Village, explore the unique Golden Bridge with its giant hand architecture, have fun at Fantasy Park and enjoy many delicious dishes at diverse restaurants. Ba Na Hills offers a diverse entertainment space, suitable for all ages.

Marble Mountains

Located in the south of Da Nang, Marble Mountains is a complex of 5 majestic limestone mountains, named after the Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth. Each mountain has mysterious caves and ancient temples. Visitors can climb the mountains, explore natural caves with shimmering stalactites, visit temples and admire the panoramic view of Da Nang from above. Marble Mountains is also famous for the traditional Non Nuoc stone carving village.

Hai Van Pass is not only a road connecting two lands but also a symbol of the natural beauty and history of Vietnam. With spectacular winding roads, panoramic views of the ocean and majestic mountains, along with interesting historical stories, this place will definitely bring you an emotional journey and unforgettable memories.

Da Nang city, Hue city, Travel Guide