Hai Van Pass
Đèo Hải Vân
A mountain pass where the Truong Son Range runs out into the sea. The coastal road winds for about 20 km, with misty peaks on one side and the Lang Co and Da Nang bays on the other.
Hai Van Pass lies between Hue and Da Nang, where a spur of the Truong Son Range juts out into the South China Sea. The summit is about 496 metres above sea level. Often wreathed in cloud, with mountains and sea meeting, it has long served as the natural boundary between northern and southern Vietnam. It is also regarded as the climatic divide of central Vietnam: the north is cold and rainy in winter, while the south is milder and sunnier. At the top stands Hai Van Gate, a pass fortress built in 1826 under the Nguyen dynasty. Its gate plaque reads 'The Greatest Pass Under Heaven.' Nearby are the remains of French and American-era bunkers. The winding mountain road is about 20 km long, with bends one after another. To the north lie the white sands and lagoon of Lang Co Bay, and to the south the Da Nang Bay and city. A British car programme once named it one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world. Since the Hai Van Tunnel opened in 2005, most vehicles use the tunnel, and the mountain road is mainly used by motorbikes, sightseeing vehicles and cyclists. There are several ways to visit: join a one-day off-road jeep or motorbike tour from Hue or Da Nang, or hire a car to drive the mountain road between the two cities and stop at Lang Co Beach for seafood. The train between Hue and Da Nang also offers views of the cliffs along the coast. Note: the road has many bends, so avoid riding a motorbike yourself in rain or fog.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Lang Co Bay & Lap An Lagoon
- Bach Ma National Park
- Thanh Toan Tile-roofed Bridge
- Tomb of Gia Long
- Tomb of Khai Dinh
- An Dinh Palace
- Tomb of Minh Mang
- Nam Giao Esplanade