The Impressive Hai Van Pass

Labeled as one of the best coast roads in the world by the most discerning travelers, the Hai Van Pass is an obvious boundary – both historically and in the physical sense. Travelling its steep winding roads will acquaint one with breathtaking scenery and amazing history.

It looms above the coastal road, practically cutting it in two. The road used to be the main route from Da Nang to Hue before the completion of the Hai Van Tunnel in 2005 (the longest tunnel in South-East Asia).

Hai Van means "Sea Clouds", since the peak of the mountain is in the clouds while its foot is close to the sea. At 500m above sea level, it is the highest pass in the country. The road snakes along the hillside, weaving back and forth through a series of hairpin bends, steep inclines and impressive landscape until you reach its famous summit. It is like a giant dragon, lying on Highway 1 on the border between Thua Thien-Hue Province and Danang City. Hai Van Pass, Vietnam is the last spur of the Truong Son Range that reaches to the sea.

The road over Hai Van Pass opened in the end of 19th century. The road over the pass is over 21 kilometers long and 435 meters above sea level. The drive over the pass gives the visitors thrill of tearing through the clouds on the winding road up and down the pass.

According to history, Hai Van Pass was known as the Thuan Hoa and Quang Nam frontier. It was the physical division between the Champa and Dai Viet Kingdoms, and the imposing gate-like structures at the summit were used as a border crossing. Everything south of the Pass was referred to as “badlands” and moving from south to north through the gate was not easy. The gate has two carvings on each border entrance; on the Thua Thien Hue (Dai Viet) side ‘Hai Van Quan’ and on the Quang Nam side. This gateway acts as entrance and exit points of Thuan Hoa and Quang Nam provinces. These points are indicated by the inscribed words Hai Van Gate on the one facing Thua Thien and the most grandiose gateway in the world on the one looking down on Quang Nam. Time, war, and neglect have taken its toll on Hai Van Quan, as it sits today in near ruins. The old story is only a memory, old vestiges now covered with green moss, among vast spaces vast of plants and trees, tourists are filled with the emotions of the past.

Lining the peak of the mountain is the immense abyss dotted with the light and dark green colors of the trees. The scene is capped off with fanciful clouds flying across the sky. Anyone who travels through Hai Van Pass will encounter both excitement because of the dangerous bends of the road, and utmost admiration for the beauty that will unfold during the climb. The sudden curves and blind corners make the trip both challenging and accomplishing. For many, the sense of isolation you feel as you move atop offers a strange but delightful feeling.

This descending journey has as much to offer.  Sightseeing in Vietnam is at its best here with the sequel of valleys and lagoons as the road descends lower. The first stop in this descending journey is the village of Lang Co sitting on the tip of a long peninsula separating a shallow lagoon from the sea. This scenic village is a good stop over place for a lunch or even a day with a beautiful beach to swim at or the village houses and the church to explore Vietnamese lifestyle.

Known for its dangerous roads, Hai Van Pass is listed among one of the most visited of the various Vietnam popular destinations. Hai Van Pass will satisfy your desire to conquer high peaks and remind you of the glorious past of the Vietnamese people.

There are many ways you can reach the Hai Van Pass; hire a car with a driver or a motorbike, or even get the train to Hue and come back via car/bike. Many travel packages are also offered to tourists who want to experience the danger and beauty of this enchanting road.