hai van pass guide

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Hai Van Pass, cloud pass or in Vietnamese Deo Hai Van, is seen by many as one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world. It owes its fame from the popular episode of Top Gear, where Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May race through Vietnam on simple motorcycles. Since then, a trip over this famous mountain pass has become immensely popular with tourists traveling by motorbike from Hue to Hoi An or Da Van Pass is the road over the mountains that connects the coastal town of Lang Co with the modern city of Da Nang. The view along the 21-kilometer road across the pass is amazing and those who occasionally drive off the main road are rewarded with miles of deserted beach. Since the opening of the tunnel through the mountain, you hardly have a problem with other traffic that makes the journey over the pass, which makes it all a lot this article you will learn the following about the Hai Van PassWhat options are there and is it safe?Hai Van Pass by motorbikeMotor routeWhere to stopRent a motorbikeEasy RiderWith the train along the Hai Van PassHai Van Pass tour What options are there and is it safe?What are the options for passing the pass?You have a number of options. You can rent a scooter or motorbike and drive over the mountain pass yourself. You can also do this with a tour including a guide or on the back of the bike with an Easy Rider. In addition, you can also cross the mountain pass with an open jeep or via a spectacular train journey along do you start and where do you end?If you come from the south, you start in Hoi An. If you come from the north, you start in Hue. If you want to shorten the route, you can also start or end in Da it safe to drive the motorcycle over the mountain pass?The roads are asphalted and in good condition. Due to a new tunnel there is little traffic on the pass itself, but driving in Vietnam is never without risks. Read more information and tips about driving a motorcycle or scooter in Vietnam Van Pass by motorbikeThe most popular route among travelers going from Hue to Hoi An or vice versa is over the Hai Van Pass. You can rent a scooter at your departure point Hue or Hoi An and return it to your destination. Your luggage is brought to your destination by the rental route is approximately 170 kilometers long and is easy to do in a day. At normal speed with no stops, it takes around 4-5 hours, so if you were to leave between 0900 and 1000 in the morning, you can easily reach your destination with a number of breaks before it gets dark. If you want to shorten the route, you can also start or end in Da terms of route it is best to drive along the coast from Hue. Follow main road 49 in the direction of Thuan An, eventually driving along a large lake to the highway 1A. We advise you not to take the motorway from the beginning. The other road is nicer and you avoid the big the weather before you do this. You don’t want to ride in the pouring rain. It can be slightly colder at the top of the pass, so it is good to take something against the wind. The pass is very safe, but always drive with focus and care; minor errors can have major consequences. Although the route is very simple, it can be useful to use a navigation app such as Google Maps or for offline.Motorbike routeLook below for our detailed motorbike to stop en routeFor the Hai van Pass you can stop at the Elephant Stream to take a refreshing dip in the water. Read the blog article about the Elephant Stream Suoi Voi for the exact route description and what you can see and do there. If you are driving from Hoi An, this is a refreshing final stop before continuing to there is a nice stop on Lang Co beach. This beach is very large and beautiful. If you have the time, you can also spend a day in this city relaxing on the beautiful beach. A night at the Lang Co beach resort and eating in one of the many seafood restaurants will complete your visit to this sleepy the road up the mountain pass starts. The pass itself is actually only a small part of your journey, so make sure you take the time for your stops. When you see a nice place to stop and enjoy the beautiful view and take a picture, take it. But on the pass itself we advise you to stop at least 3 places. The first place, coming from Hue, is soon after you cross the bridge from Lang Co and cross the track. From this place you have a great view over the beach of Lang Co and the mountains in the second place is at the lookout point at the highest point of the pass 496 meters. Just like other strategic places in Vietnam, bunkers have also been built on the Hai Van Pass. At the top of the pass, near the brick gate that was built by Emperor Minh Mang in the 19th century, are gun towers used by the French, South Vietnamese and American troops during the you have a nice descent to Da Nang. A nice stop is at a large rock on the left side of the road; hard to miss. From this rock you can take great pictures of the city of Da Nang, the deserted beaches below and the Son Tra peninsula in the you enter Da Nang. When you have time you can choose to visit a beach in Da Nang. If you want to know more, read the Da Nang travel information to know what you can do in this city, see, eat and continue your way to Hoi An along the coast and along the Marble Mountains. You enter Hoi An via An Bang a motorbikeIf you stay in Da Nang, you can choose to rent a scooter or motorbike for a day. You then drive over Hai Van Pass and then return to Da Nang. If you stay in Hoi An or Hue you can do this, but it will take more time. If you want to do the full route, you must choose a one-way rental scooter. For example, you rent the scooter in Hoi An and you deliver the scooter in Hue. The rental company takes your luggage with are some tips for reliable scooter rental Motorbike Rental Reviews MotorVina Motorbike Rentals Reviews Style Motorbikes ReviewsThe Motorbike Station ReviewsTigit Motorbikes ReviewsEasy RiderIf you prefer not to drive alone, you can book a tour with an Easy Rider. You can find them everywhere in Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An. They often have a book in which they show you the experiences of their previous customers. The advantage of Easy Riders is that they can often show you beautiful places that you will not see if you do the route on your own. You also have more time to enjoy the view because you don’t have to pay attention to the road. With an Easy Rider tour you often visit other sights along the route, such as the Marble the train along the Hai Van PassAs an alternative to the motorcycle or scooter, you can also consider taking the train from Hue to Da Nang, or vice versa. The route runs almost completely along the coast and you have a beautiful view of the Hai Van Pass and the ocean. The train ride takes only hours. Read more about booking train tickets in Vietnam on the Hai Van PassVarious tours are also offered on the Hai Van Pass. For example, you can choose to ride the Hai Van Pass with your motorcycle, but including an experienced guide and a small group of other drivers. The bus tours are not recommended, but what is really cool are the open jeep tours. Last updated May 2019 Words and photos by Vietnam CoracleThis post was last updated 4 years ago. Please check the comments section for possible updates, or read more on my Updates & Accuracy page. INTRODUCTION GUIDE MAP RELATED POSTS A contender for the most famous road in Vietnam, the Hai Van Pass is a short but scenic route winding around a mountainside above the East Sea, on the central coast. Đèo Hải Vân – Ocean Cloud Pass – is famous for a number of reasons as a geographic and political boundary between ancient kingdoms; as a climatic divide between the tropical south and the subtropical north; and as a strategic military post during times of war, both ancient and modern. But, most recently, the Hai Van Pass is famous, quite simply, as a great road trip linking the popular central Vietnamese destinations of Hoi An, Danang, and Hue. For Vietnamese and foreign road-trippers alike, the Hai Van Pass is a favourite ride, its fame bolstered by the popularity of the Top Gear Vietnam Special 2008, in which the presenters waxed lyrical about the pass, inspiring a generation of travellers to take to the road on two wheels and hit the Hai Van Pass. Although it’s certainly not the greatest road in Vietnam, the Hai Van Pass is still a lot of fun to ride, with excellent views, light traffic, and easy access from several cities. One of the most famous roads in Vietnam, the Hai Van Pass makes a great & relatively easy road trip [Back Top] GUIDE THE HAI VAN PASS BY MOTORBIKE ROAD TRIP DETAILS Total Distance 165km or 135km Duration 1-3 days Route the scenic coastal route between Hoi An, Danang & Hue [MAP] Road Conditions good, smooth, wide highways, paved back-roads, light traffic Scenery high coastal passes, excellent sea views, empty beaches, fishing villages, farmland, cities CONTENTS ABOUT THIS ROUTE ROUTE MAP HISTORY & COMMENTARY DIRECTIONS ACCOMMODATION The Hai Van Pass weaves around a mountainous headland as it meets the sea in Central Vietnam [Back to Contents] ABOUT THIS ROUTE The Hai Van Pass can be ridden as a day-trip from any of the three main cities on either side of it Hoi An, Danang, and Hue. Alternatively, the Hai Van Pass is a great way to ride all the way between these three cities via an extended coastal route, which avoids busy Highway 1 for the vast majority of the way, and uses quiet, scenic coast roads instead see the blue line on my map. Although this route is slightly longer than taking Highway 1 see the brown line on my map, it’s far more scenic, more rewarding, and quieter not to mention safer. Renting motorbikes in any of the three cities should be fairly easy, and some rental companies even offer one-way pick-up and drop-off services, allowing you to ride in one direction without having to return to your starting point to give the bike back. The total distance for the scenic coastal route between Hoi An, Danang, and Hue is 165km. This can be completed in one day, or you can break it up into 2-3 days, by staying somewhere in the middle see Accommodation. There are several options for side routes along the way see the red lines on my map, including exploring the scenic roads around the Son Tra Peninsular, getting lost on the paved lanes and muddy tracks leading down to the coast from the top of the Hai Van Pass, and short detours to Elephant Springs and Bach Ma National Park. The best time of year is April to September; at other times, the pass can be covered in cloud and very wet. After riding the Hai Van Pass you can loop back via the mountains on the Ho Chi Minh Road, as described in the Golden Loop, or you can continue along coastal back-roads to Dong Hoi and Phong Nha, following the Tomb Rider route. Riding between Hoi An, Danang & Hue via the Hai Van Pass is a great road trip with spectacular views [Back to Contents] ROUTE MAP The Hai Van Pass Hoi An-Danang-Hue 165km or 135km View in a LARGER MAP [Back to Contents] HISTORY & COMMENTARY Đèo Hải Vân – Ocean Cloud Pass – is a mountainous stretch of road in Central Vietnam. On days when vapour from the East Sea rises into the forests and clings to the mountaintops, the pass lives up to its poetic name. But, despite its romantic title, the Hai Van Pass has always been something of a frontier a boundary of kingdoms and climate; often fought over, sometimes tragic but never losing its ability to inspire awe. The Hai Van Pass has a long been a physical barrier; now it is best known for its fabulous views During the American War’, the Hai Van Pass was known as the Street Without Joy’. Back then, the pass connected the two war-scarred cities of Hue and Danang via the dangerous and hotly contested Highway 1. Thanks to a tunnel under the mountains, completed in 2005, the Hai Van Pass today is the Street Without Traffic’. The majority of transport now takes the tunnel, which leaves the Hai Van Pass – one of the most scenic coastal roads in Vietnam – to two-wheeled vehicles and the occasional oil truck both of which are not allowed through the tunnel. The spectacular Hai Van Pass is perfect for a relatively easy, safe and short motorbike trip between the popular tourist spots of Hoi An/Danang to the south and Hue to the north. A tunnel under the mountain takes most the of the heavy traffic, leaving the Hai Van Pass virtually empty The Hai Van Pass is a natural wall a mountainous finger of land jutting into the East Sea. This is an east-west spur of the Truong Son Annamite Range that runs north to south along the western spine of Vietnam. For centuries this natural barrier represented the limit of one kingdom and the beginning of another. The Hindu Kingdom of Champa resided south of the Hai Van Pass, while the Confucian-Buddhist Kingdom of Dai Viet was to the north. The two kingdoms fought constantly to control land either side of the pass. The Cham pushed as far north as the Dai Viet capital of Thang Long Hanoi in 1371.* Partly due to the favourable climate and fertility of the land south of the Hai Van Pass, the Cham in this area were known as the Coconut Palm Group’. The Hai Van Pass sheltered the Cham from strong, cold winds and storms that blew from the north. Known as Chinese Winds’, these still ravage territory north of the pass each year during the typhoon months’, which are usually around September and October. *Historical information in this article is based solely on my reading of various sources and conversations with local people. I make no claims as an historian. The mountains of the Hai Van Pass formed the border between kingdoms; they’re still a climatic divide The good climatic conditions south of the Hai Van Pass helped to build the Cham civilization, which lasted for more than a thousand years, from the 3rd century onwards. It was the lure of the land of the Coconut Palm Cham’ that led to its eventual conquest. Dai Viet, to the north of the Hai Van Pass, was growing steadily thanks to liberation from Chinese rule in AD938 followed by two strong imperial dynasties, the Ly 1009-1225 and the Tran 1225-1400. Agricultural productivity and population were on the rise, but unpredictable weather and devastating flooding in the Red River Delta was a constant threat to stability. With China looming large over their northern borders, Dai Viet looked to the south for more land and a better climate for their growing population. After centuries of fighting, it was the Le Dynasty who finally defeated the Cham, in 1471, annexing the sunny territory south of the Hai Van Pass for Dai Viet. The ruins of the Cham temples at My Son, near Hoi An, can still be seen today. The Hai Van Pass was the border between Dai Viet & Champa, whose ruins can be seen near Hoi An The appeal of the land of the Coconut Palm Cham’ is still obvious today. If travelling from north to south, heading out of Hue on a wet, grey February morning and driving up the Hai Van Pass in thick, moisture-laden cloud, when you arrive at the top and look down on the sun-filled Bay of Danang to the south, it’s easy to imagine how attractive these lands must have been to the Dai Viet from the north. Curling your way up the switchbacks and hairpin bends, the motorbike engine struggling to deal with the gradient, and then rolling down the other side, wondering if the brake pads will wear away before you reach the bottom, it’s also apparent how the pass could have separated two civilizations for so long. Looking over tropical beaches and the Bay of Danang from the southern slopes of the Hai Van Pass Whatever the weather, the Hai Van Pass is always a scenic route. As with other great views, the pass has often inspired wonder, sometimes in the most unlikely of contexts and least likely of people. When Paul Theroux was passing through Vietnam during his Great Railway Bazaar, in 1973, the Paris Peace Accords had only recently been signed by the United States, South and North Vietnam. Direct American military participation in Vietnam was officially over, but the war still had two more long years before the fall of Saigon. As most of the Trans-Indochinois Railway now the Reunification Express that linked Hanoi with Saigon had been blown up, Theroux was only able to travel on short sections of the line that were deemed safe. Fortunately for him one of these safe sections was between Hue and Danang. Danang, seen from the Hai Van Pass a poisoned city’ when Theroux came in ’73; now it’s a boomtown At that time, Hue was a ruin. Having been pounded for years, not least during the Tet Offensive in 1968, the city was all mud and rubble. Danang, formerly a massive American military base, was, according to Theroux, a poisoned city’. But the landscape between these two wounded cities, including the Hai Van Pass which the railway snakes around just below the road, was still majestic. Perhaps because of the juxtaposition between the ugly urban destruction in Hue and the rural peace and beauty around the Hai Van Pass, Theroux, having travelled across Europe, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent by train, was amazed by what he saw from his compartment on the Trans-Indochinois Of all the places the railway had taken me since London, this was the loveliest. Beyond the leaping jade plates of the sea was an overhang of cliffs and the sight of a valley so large it contained sun, smoke, rain and cloud – all at once. I had been unprepared for this beauty; it surprised and humbled me. Who has mentioned the simple fact that the heights of Vietnam are places of unimaginable grandeur? For Paul Theroux, the train ride over the Hai Van Pass was the most scenic of his Great Railway Bazaar’ 35 years later, Jeremy Clarkson, former presenter of the popular BBC car show, Top Gear, had a similar reaction to the landscape around the Hai Van Pass. Famously sarcastic and not one to be easily moved – except by a good car – Clarkson and his co-presenters couldn’t help but be awed by the green mountains rolling down in pleats and folds toward the East Sea. On this strip of tarmac, that he proclaimed one of the best ocean roads in the world’, Clarkson began to enjoy motorbiking. Indeed, the Top Gear Vietnam Special must surely have inspired thousands of travellers to follow in their tyre-tracks, because nowadays hawkers at the top of the pass will often ask, “Are you here because of Top Gear?!” VIDEO Top Gear Vietnam Special skip to 315 for the Hai Van Pass scene Like other borders and frontiers, the Hai Van Pass has seen its fair share of blood and battles. At the top of the pass, by the brick gate built by Emperor Minh Mang in the 19th century, are gun towers that were used by French, South Vietnamese and American lookouts respectively, during the long wars from 1946-75. More recent reminders of tragedy on the pass are the small shrines lining the road that mark the sites of fatal accidents. Note most of these date from before the tunnel was built, when the pass was far more dangerous than it is today. As with many famous battle fields and scenic roads in Vietnam, tragedy contrasts sharply with the natural beauty of the surrounds. An old gun tower stands at the top of the Hai Van Pass, a reminder of its historical strategic importance As for me, I’ve always thought of the Hai Van Pass as a point of transition both a boundary and a gate. When riding from south to north, the pass is the point at which I feel I’ve entered more unfamiliar territory. The clouds usually close-in and fierce rain pinches the skin on my face. With this comes a sense of adventure. Being from the south in both my native and adopted countries London in Britain, Saigon in Vietnam, I’ve long associated travelling north with going into higher, wilder landscape and colder climes. Likewise, when I travel from north to south, the Hai Van Pass is the point at which I feel I’ve arrived home’ again, safe in the land of the Coconut Palm Cham’ and the warmth of the tropical climate I’ve become accustomed to. Oftentimes, weather is warm & sunny on the south side of the Hai Van Pass, but cool & wet on the north Located on the 16th parallel, just one south of the infamous 17th parallel that once divided the nation politically, the Hai Van Pass is a permanent natural boundary that will always divide the nation climatically, between tropical and sub-tropical. The Ocean Cloud’ clings to the pass, but this 30km stretch of road is beautiful in any weather, and each time I ride it, in either direction, there’s always the sense of having crossed a barrier. The great divide the Hai Van Pass crawls over this mountain as it meets the sea a great physical barrier [Back to Contents] DIRECTIONS I’ve written these directions going south to north, starting in Hoi An, going via Danang, and ending in Hue. You can, of course, ride this route in the opposite direction. Leave Hoi An’s old town in the morning – the earlier the better if you want to make it all the way to Hue in one day. Take the coast road to Danang, stretching all the way from Cua Dai Beach, past An Bang Beach, and the Marble Mountains, to Danang’s My Khe Beach, once known as China Beach. If you want to explore the Son Tra Peninsular side route, continue along the coast and onto the winding roads crisscrossing the headland see the red line on my map. If not, turn west onto the famous Dragon Bridge over the Han River and into Danang city. Cruise along the river bank before turning onto Nguyen Tat Thanh Street which skirts the ocean along Nam O Beach. At the end of the beach road, turn onto the broad lanes of Highway 1 for a brief stretch before the road starts to climb into foliage this is the start of the Hai Van Pass. After the coast road from Hoi An, take the Dragon Bridge into Danang, and continue to the Hai Van Pass Curling around the mountainside, the pass opens up spectacular views across Danang Bay. At the top of the pass, a collection of overpriced food and drink shacks vie for your custom. The ancient gate and old gun towers are located across the road, offering good viewing points and short, pleasant walks. On either side of the top of the pass, the small paved lanes and dirt tracks leading down the slopes towards the sea, are possible side routes see the red lines on my map, especially if you have a bike that can cope with muddy conditions. However, be aware that you may be stopped from continuing down these side routes due to military presence in the area. Looking down over the Hai Van Pass as it curls down the other side towards Lang Co Beach Snaking down the other side of the pass, the views get even better looking over the winding tarmac as it drops towards the long, empty beach of Lang Co. Just after one of the last hairpin bends of the pass, a much-photographed scene opens up over Lang Co bay and fishing village, with a long bridge over the water the exit of the Hai Van Tunnel and the lush, misty mountains behind. This might as well be known as the Top Gear Viewing Point, as it was here that the final scene on the Hai Van Pass from the Vietnam Special episode was filmed, with the three co-presenters all gazing at the sunset, enraptured by the beauty of Vietnam’s landscape. Looking over Lang Co bay from the Top Gear Viewing Point’ near the bottom of the Hai Van Pass In Lang Co, where you can stop at one of the many seafood restaurants nhà hàng hải sẳn in Vietnamese, it’s necessary to join Highway 1 briefly, before turning off on the Chan May coast road. If you want to continue to Hue on the shorter route using Highway 1 follow the brown line on my map. Or if you want to explore the side routes to Elephant Spring and Bach Ma National Park, see the red lines on my map. Turn off Highway 1 at Lang Co for the pleasant & quiet Chan May road, past beaches, trees & fields The Chan May road stays close to the coast, where there are several high-end resorts and backpacker campgrounds see Accommodation. Veering off the Chan May route, a good paved roads leads over a bridge and along a back-route before connecting with Highway 1 again at the Phuoc Tuong Pass. On the other side of this pass now empty thanks to a new tunnel, weave your way across Highway 1 to join road QL49B, heading north along the shores of the Cau Hai Lagoon. Alternatively, stay on Highway 1 all the way to Hue see the brown line on my map. Pastoral scenery on the road between Chan May & Thuan An, a much better alternative to Highway 1 QL49B crosses a bridge at the mouth of the lagoon and turns west along a long peninsular to Thuan An. This road has been mostly upgraded, but some patches are still in the process of reconstruction. The route is notable for the thousands of elaborately carved family tombs, which are scattered across the sandy banks between the road and the sea. At Thuan An village, turn south over a bridge and follow the Pho Loi River into Hue. For ideas about how to continue this road trip from Hue, see Related Guides. Elaborate tombs & temples line Road QL49B as it crosses the Thuan An Peninsular before reaching Hue [Back to Contents] ACCOMMODATION Although there’s no accommodation on the Hai Van Pass itself, there are a handful of good and interesting places to stay along the coastal route, as well as an enormous array of hotels and resorts for all budgets at either end of the route in Hoi An, Danang, and Hue. *Please support Vietnam Coracle You can support the work I do by booking your hotels via the Agoda links & search boxes on my site, like the ones on this page. If you make a booking, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Any money I make goes straight back into this site. Thank you. Hoi An Danang Hue On the Route Hoi An Hoi An has possibly the best-value and range of hotels in all Vietnam. The sheer volume of hotels, and the continuing popularity of Hoi An as a travel destination, drives prices down and quality up. For budget accommodation check out the cheap but clean and classy rooms at Kiman Hotel, and Hoi An Backpackers Hostel. Two excellent-value mid-range places to stay are Lasenta Boutique and Hoi An Waterway. For luxury it’s hard to beat the Anantara or Victoria Beach Resort. Besides these recommendations there are hundreds more to choose from, which you can browse here. Lasenta Boutique Hotel is one of many excellent-value accommodations in & around Hoi An [Back] Danang Funtastic Beach Hostel is a great budget option by the sea, just 5 minutes from Danang city. Stay Hotel offers good mid-range value, with neat rooms, good views and a pool. The Novotel Danang is very swish and modern with incredible views over the city and sea. Or to really splash out, head to the Intercontinental Sun Peninsular Resort on the Son Tra headland, which is another world of luxury. Danang’s recent boom has led to many new accommodations, like Funtastic Beach, Stay Hotel & the Novotel [Back] Hue Hue Backpacker Hostel is as cheap as they come, and offers all the familiar characteristics of a budget, dorm-based hostel. Villa Hue is fabulous mid-range accommodation with lots of style and charm. The Pilgrimage, just outside the city, is also excellent. The most famous high-end option is the colonial-era La Residence, occupying a prime location by the riverside. Villa Hue is a wonderful hotel in the former imperial capital, offering great value & lots of atmosphere [Back] On the Route In many of the small towns along the route, you’ll find nhà nghỉ local guesthouses, which offer cheap rooms for a night on the road, particularly around Lang Co and Chan May Beach. Budget travellers can spend a night under canvas at Canh Duong Beach Camping or Tan Canh Guesthouse, for example, both on Chan May Bay. But there are also some luxury accommodations along the coastal route which you can stop at for a night or two to break the journey. After Lang Co there are several ultra luxurious resorts spread along the coast, including the Bayan Tree and Angsana. Further down the road, near Phu Loc village, Verdana Lagoon Resort is very good for a night of affordable luxury in a very atmospheric position. There are several places to stay on the road between Hoi An, Danang & Hue, including beach camping [Back Top] RELATED POSTS Questions, updates and trip reports are all welcome. However, please keep comments polite and on-topic. See commenting etiquette for details. Detailed Reviews Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location LSt. Petersburg, Russia195 contributionsMay 2023 • CouplesHai Van pass is a must see place. Entire road looks amazing with lots of viewpoints. Better to explore it by motorbike, but stay away from tracks and crazy busses Written 22 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn 2022I really enjoyed trip from Hue to Hai Van pass and back on motorbike. It took me almost entire day but it was worth it. Road is curvy and not in bad shape and the views from top was 13 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn 2023 • FamilySuper service combined with fantastic view and serve coffeshot💙 we love it and give the best refereres from all our wishes from our heartWritten 28 January 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn HCounty Mayo, Ireland235 contributionsDec 2022 • CouplesOur whole trip to Vietnam was based on my husband wanting to do this drive and it did not disappoint. We used style motorbikes highly recommend and traveled from hue to hoi an. We had our trip mapped out starting at an Bang cemetery and along the coast to Lap an lagoon, lang beach viewpoint and used viewpoints on Google maps from then finishing off at marble mountains. The drive is gorgeous but motorbike driving experience is recommended as you do go through some busy places before the start of the pass and unfortunately we did see an accident between a bike and a truck. Written 26 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn 2022 • SoloYo has been very helpful and accommodating. We saw amazing views as the weather was wonderful that day. Yo has been wonderful as a guide and has given us the opportunity to truly see the Hai Van 8 October 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn CHarrogate, UK15 contributionsAug 2022 • CouplesWe embarked on the hai van pass expecting a relaxing journey when it wasn’t really that. We hired one motorbike between 2 of us and got our hostel to send our bags. The roads from Hoi An - Da Nang are fine but through Da Nang it got very busy and you need to have some road motorbike experience. The pass itself had some beautiful views, if somewhat short I think only 20km with limited food options perhaps some closures due to covid?. We weren’t sure where the viewpoints’ were and wish we planned our stops before starting so plan your route and stops before. After the Hai Van Pass, if you are heading all the way to Hue you must be warned - the rest of the 70km is a Highway road feels like a motorway. It is VERY busy and you need to have high concentration for about 2 hours. We also hit this road at rush hour so plan your journey so that you set off early to miss this !! We would recommend doing the Hai Van pass - it is worth it and waterfall stops along the way are beautiful Suoi Mo waterfall. But do your research, set off early and be prepared.Written 13 August 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn 2022While the train is a very "local experience" as far as the passengers, the views from the train were far superior to what you would see from the route taken by cars or motorbikes. It is truly beautiful!Written 10 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn Czech Republic4,221 contributionsDec 2020Famous place from Vietnam war, enjoy the car or even better motorbike ride from Danang to Hue or via versa. Gret scenery, could be foggy or colder up there, ride is sometime crazy due to wild truck drivers or motorbike racers. I would do it next time on bicycle. There are places to stop and refreshWritten 28 November 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn 2020 • CouplesVery good place with scenery. Beautiful sea can be sighted from above the mountain. Place to capture instagrammable 18 December 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn 2020What a day this was for us. We had seen them do it on Topgear, on there mopeds. We were in a nice tour car, with our guide. We stopped for Oysters with peanuts, before the long climb. We stopped a few times to take photos, as there are many places you can pull over. It is so high you are in cloud whe you are at your highest 29 June 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn results 1-10 of 447 Referred locally as Đèo Hải Vân, the Hai Van Pass is one of the most majestic passes in Vietnam which connect Northern and Southern Vietnam. Offering an impressive sight of great mountains, blue skies and green forests, The Hai Van Pass bends around Truong Son mountain range between Thua Thien Hue province and Danang city, and locates at an elevation of 496 meters above the sea level. There are many reasons make this landscape more attractive for the travelers especially backpacker the history, the climate, the graphic and the stunning scenic view. It’s said to be one of the most beautiful stretches of pavement in the country. The twisting road along the pass is very incredible and offers a challenge for drivers. It’s a deserted ribbon of perfection—one of the best coast roads in the world. This is a destination not to be missed when you travel to Vietnam and below article will give you full information about The Hai Van Pass. I. What creates the unique of the Hai Van Pass History or geography 1. Hai Van Pass - The historic misty mountain top Due to having mountains occupied up to three quarters of the territory, Vietnam needs the passes to connect the province together. So Đèo Hải Vân - The Sea Cloud Pass was built as a mountainous sketch of the road in Central Vietnam. The Hai Van Pass’s poetic name based on the image of vapor from the East Sea rises into the forests and clings to the mountaintops. Following the history of Viet Nam, The Hai Van Pass has been of major barrier to any land army that attempted to move between the northern and central regions of the country. During the American War’, it was known as the Street Without Joy’. Back then, the pass connected the two war-scarred cities of Hue and Danang via Highway 1 which is the dangerous and hotly contested. The Hai Van pass became a natural wall from the 1st century when the Chinese general pacified Northern Vietnam, advanced South and established the southern border of Han Empire by setting up the column of bronze, possibly at Hai Van. For centuries this natural barrier divided Vietnam to The Champa Kingdom was to the south of the Hai Van Pass, and the Buddhist Kingdom of Dai Viet was to the north. The two kingdoms disputed constantly to control land either side of the pass. The Cham pushed as far north as the Dai Viet capital of Thang Long Hanoi in the 12th century. Due to getting the liberation from the Chinese Kingdom in and being followed by two strong imperial dynasties - the Ly 1009-1225 and the Tran 1225-1400, The Buddist Kingdom - Dai Viet, was growing steadily. Agricultural productivity and population were increased rapidly, but unpredictable weather and devastating flooding in the Red River Delta was a constant threat to stability. With the risk of China’s continued invasion, Dai Viet - the northland of The Hai Van Pass looked to the south for more area and the more suitable climate for their growing population. After centuries of fighting, Dai Viet finally defeated the Cham, in 1471 which belonged to the Le Dynasty getting the sunny territory south of the Hai Van Pass. That why the Hai Van Pass was known as the Thuan Hoa and Quang Nam frontier in the past. 2. The Hai Van Pass the most scenic hillside road with the weird climate Do you fear when seeing the dangerous bends on the road? Whenever one goes through the Hai Van Pass, there are two emotions at the same time the amazement at seeing the majestic scenery and the fear of passing the dangerous bends of the hills. After driving through several elbow curves for close to an hour, you reach the top of the Hai Van Pass. The pass is the nature wall between North and South Vietnam, and you will see the fortifications which were built by the French and then later used by the South Vietnamese and the Americans. With sudden curves and blind corners, The Hai Van Pass is likened to a dangerous but beautiful girl challenging drivers skills. Therefore, more than 700 years ago, when stopping at the height of nearly 500 meters above the sea level, King Le Thanh Ton named as a gift “Thien Ha De Nhat Hung Quan” meaning the most colossal frontier post. This name “The most grandiose gateway in the world” was later engraved on the gate at the top of the pass by Emperor Minh Mang. This gate is also looking down Quang Nam province and the other gate facing to Thua Thien-Hue province inscribed with the three words “Hai Van Quan”. At present, Hai Van Pass remains some of the fortifications the ruins of Don Nhat built by French troops in 1826 to protect this strategic pass. The most impressive thing about the journey is the sense of isolation you feel as you move further along. A strange happiness for the travelers when you go to the devious area with the seemingly unbroken asphalt road that cuts through a mass of forest. The green trees and forests contrast with the breaking waves in the blue deep ocean, “Sea Clouds” is exactly meaning about The Hai Van pass since the peak of the mountain is in the clouds while its foot is close to the sea. Why the Hai Van Pass has a weird climate? Vietnam's climate is typical for the tropics with the high temperatures and humid weather all around the year. In particular, Vietnam's climate regions include two main regions the North climate with for seasons spring, summer, autumn, winter and the South climate with two seasons dry and rainy seasons with the boundary is The Hai Van Pass. Due to crossing the country from the western border to the East Coast and also being an east-west spur of the Truong Son Animate Range, the pass creates a distinctively different climate. On the North of the slope, the air is usually wetter and colder than the South. It will be no surprise that you are enjoying the sunshine at the foot of the pass and immediately faced the cool weather with foggy when crossing the top of the pass. The sudden change of climate seems to be the disadvantage for the backpacker but if you are the traveler who loves to experience, this will be an unforgettable feeling. Because, the higher you are up, the more the clouds are down to create a fanciful space like the heaven. Actually, the weather on Hai Van pass is quite good, you can travel the Hai Van pass for four seasons. You should be careful or avoid going through the rainy season from October to December because the landslide and the slippery roads will endanger for all transportations on the pass. The ideal time to travel to The Hai Van Pass is from April to July/ because the weather is warm, the pass is drowned early and sunny. If you want to see the sunrise and romantic sunset, you should come here between 6 - 7 am or 16 - 17 pm. The Hai Van Tunnels - A solution for reducing the traffic on the Hai Van Pass The Hai Van Tunnel, the longest tunnel in Southeast Asia at kilometers, is a within mountain version of the Hai Van pass. Hai Van Tunnel was completed and put into operation in June - 2005, which facilitates transportation between Thua Thien - Hue and Da Nang city much safer and more convenient. Therefore, the number of people across The Hai Van Pass today becomes fewer. But if you are the tourists who want to explore the amazing and adventurous stretches of road, The Hai Van Pass is still the best option. II. How to travel to Hai Van Pass 1. The familiar routes to discover The Hai Van Pass The Hai Van Pass is a great way to drive all the way between these three cities Hoi An, Hue, Danang via an extended coastal route, which avoids busy National Highway 1 Road for the vast majority of the way, and uses quiet, scenic coast roads instead. The total distance for the scenic coastal route between Hoi An, Danang, and Hue is 165 kilometers. The journey between the Hoi An/Danang and Hue via the Hai Van Pass is 25 kilometers-165 kilometers depending on which route you choose to take. Ridding time is approximately 3-5 hours, and more for soaking up the scenery, stopping for buying and eating seafood along the coast, drinking coffee at the top of the pass or facing for any unforeseen circumstances, such as bad weather and flat tires. Riding from Hoi An or Danang to the south of the Hai Van Pass - The comfortable way Even you start from Hoi An, you still go via Danang through The Hai Van Pass to Hue. The Pass is more than 25 kilometers north-east of Danang city center. There are two routes leading from the center of Danang city to Hai Van Pass The coastal line From the center of Danang city, you follow the street Ong Ich Khiem. At the end of Ong Ich Khiem Street, turn left onto Nguyen Tat Thanh Street. At the end of Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, you turn left on National Highway 1A. Running over 2 kilometers, you will meet crossroads between National Highway 1A and Nguyen Van Cu. If left turn continues along National Highway 1A will lead to The Hai Van Tunnel, you should turn right on Nguyen Van Cu Street. Going straight to the end of the road, you will see the Hai Van Pass. This is the longer route but is preferred because you can enjoy beautiful scenic of Danang Bay stretching from Son Tra Peninsula to the foot of The Hai Van Pass. The street line From the center of Danang city, you follow Dien Bien Phu street running toward the direction of Hue Crossing. Going straight to Ton Duc Thang Street on the National Highway 1A until you see the junction intersection with Nguyen Van Cu street. Turning on Nguyen Van Cu Street and going straight to the end of the road, you will see the Hai Van Pass. This route is shorter than the coastal route and easier to move because there are not too many turns. You should choose the street line for traveling faster if you are late, have less time, need not enjoy the scenery. Riding from Hue to the North of The Hai Van Pass - The challenging way The nearer the pass is to Danang, the easier you move. But if you stay at Hue, you could go to The Hai Van Pass. The Pass is more than 70 kilometers from Hue city center. The shorter way to The Hai Van Pass from Hue is starting from Hue city center, following the National Highway 1 to Lang Co Town. However, like reaching The Hai Van Pass from Danang, you should choose the coast road to enjoy the stunning landscape as Pho Loi River, Thuan An Peninsular, fishing villages, Elephant Spring, Bach Ma National Park and Lang Co Bay. The coastline direction From the center of Hue city, you follow the Pho Loi river, turn north over a bridge into Thuan An village. The route is notable for the thousands of elaborately carved family tombs, which are scattered across the sandy banks between the road and the sea. At Thuan An Beach, you turn east along a long peninsula, cross a Tu Hien Bridge and turn right. That is QL49B. Continue following QL49B until you see a tunnel on the other side of The Phuoc Tuong Pass. Keep going and turning left to Phuoc Tuong Pass. When you go to the end of the pass, you will stop at T-Junction where having a back-route connected with Highway 1A and a well-paved roads leads over The Lu Bu bridge to Chan May road Alternatively, stay on Highway 1 all the way to The Hai Van Pass. The Chan May road stays close to the coast, where there are several high-end resorts and backpacker campgrounds. Following the Chan May road, you will go through past beaches, trees & fields and Lang Co Bay. The views get even so excited right after you start riding to the pass. Looking over the winding tarmac as it drops towards the long, empty beach of Lang Co. Just after one of the last hairpin bends of the pass, a much-photographed scene opens up over Lang Co bay and fishing village, with a long bridge over the water the exit of the Hai Van Tunnel and the lush, misty mountains behind. This might as well be known as the Top Gear Viewing Point, as it was here that the final scene on the Hai Van Pass from the Vietnam Special episode was filmed, with the three co-presenters all gazing at the sunset, enraptured by the beauty of Vietnam’s landscape. 2. What is the transportation to enjoy the landscapes on the Hai Van Pass Travelling by the local train - Smooth Journey with the stunning view The train journey from Hue to Danang/Hoi An along The Hai Van Pass. If your main purpose to see the Hai Van Pass, you can take the local train with wooden hard seats, opened windows and get off at Lang Co which is the first stop after the Hai Van Pass. Traveling by train is not only cheap but also comfortable. Moreover, the scenery on the way is also stunning, as the train will go over the Hai Van Pass, while most vehicles will go through the Hai Van Tunnel. However, traveling by train is time-consuming, complicated, quite disorganized, especially for people who travel in the big group. Suddenly you want to take pictures of the beautiful landscape but the train cannot be stopped haft way. You will not understand the feeling of blowing wind through your hair or challenging the bends on the road with 15 percentage uphill slope. Travelling by private car/taxi - The most comfortable way to enjoy the view of The Hai Van Pass If you are the person who does not want to take the challenging on the road but still want enjoy the stunning view, getting a private car/taxi with the local driver would be a comfortable and safe way for your experience. Finding this mean of transportation in any tourism provinces like Hue, Hoi An, Danang is not difficult. You can check on google, Tripadvisor or ask the accommodation where you stay. Traveling by private car/taxi have all the advantages that other means of transportation do not have. You can sit comfortably, get the carefree and painless in a private car and enjoy the stunning sight of Hai Van Pass. In addition, you can stop at many amazing sights on the way if you request in advance. Like the train or the others boxed vehicle, you can not feel the natural phenomenon that affects you. You can not know how the smell of pass is, how the slope is on rainy, how the sky is on sunny and how your hair is on windy. Do not keep your soul behind the window of the car because you only really feel the beauty of landscapes when you really touch the air around that. Travelling by Motorbike through The Hai Van Pass -An unforgettable experience The Hai Van Pass - the most scenic hillside in Vietnam is the unique place for you to discover. Travels can experience all the emotional level. Besides it, Hai Van Pass is a desire to conquer by many drivers. As you drive, ride, cycle even run the Pass, it is hard to imagine this beautiful road ever being known as the Street Without Joy’! Haven’t you ever seen Top Gear? Whether you are a confident rider, or it’s your first time on a motorbike, you should definitely take the opportunity to ride the Hai Van Pass. If you’re not a confident rider, you needn’t worry! The road is not too traffic, and far wider than some of the main roads in Vietnam. Moreover, The Hai Van Pass is well known for its dangerous roads, and accident warning boards carefully appear regularly along the side. Or even you are not comfortable with riding your own bike, some companies do offer tours where you get to chill on the back while someone else does the riding. Because the road is quite short, the danger is the only disadvantage of going through the pass by motorbike. The zigzagging paths appear now and then around mountain slopes or The u-turn sections have been widened are the big challenging for the backpacker. III. Accommodation when traveling the Hai Van Pass Although there’s no accommodation on the Hai Van Pass itself, there are a handful of good and interesting places to stay along the coastal route, as well as an enormous array of hotels and resorts for all budgets at either end of the route in Hoi An, Danang, and Hue. You can make a reservation via the Agoda, with price depending on your budget and style. At all accommodations, they can support all informations you need Map, Means of transport, tours… with fluently English speaking guide. In many of the small towns along the route, you’ll find local guest houses, which offer cheap rooms for a night on the road, particularly around Lang Co and Chan May Beach. If you are in a wilderness, you can bring a sleeping bag or tent to a camp somewhere near the Lang Co Bay or Chan May Bay. Imagine waking up with full vision of sunrise and a cup of hot coffee. What a wonderful experience! IV. Must know tips for traveling to the Hai Van Pass With the total of length 21 kilometers, You completely run and cycle on The Hai Van Pass if you want to take challenging. This idea very suitable for sport enthusiastic and adventurous person For the biker Don’t be afraid of riding in Vietnam’s bike traffic. Please follow the rules When crossing large intersections, it will feel like everyone is coming your way. Don’t panic. The trick is to point and shoot. Pick your line and stay true to it Don’t go swerving around everywhere… it will make it far worse Look around you. Watch what other people are doing and you will know whether you need to slow down a touch or speed up a bit to slot into your gap. Wear sunscreen! Cover your arms, elbows and the tops of your legs carefully Even if you don’t do all the stops mentioned, take little breaks often! Take a minute to refocus, drink some water and check the map. Download your route on Google Maps before leaving your hotel. Because the signal of the Internet is completely lost a few time when you go through the pass, the mountain section Check the weather, but don’t base your trip around it! The day we were planning to do our ride it poured rain the whole night before. The weather forecast also showed intermittent showers, but we ended up with perfect bluebird weather. Buy a raincoat… just in case the weather forecast is right! The Hai Van Pass will satisfy your desire to high peaks and tell you of the glorious history of Vietnam. Moreover, from the pass, on nice days, visitors can enjoy the whole vista of Danang, the Tien Sa seaport, Son Tra Peninsula, Cu Lao Cham Island and long sandy beaches. The 21 kilometers of road that stretch over the Hai Van mountain pass may sound like a challenging adventurous journey, but after having finished, it is certain that you will find it is one worth taking. How GetYourGuide ranks activities Activities on the GetYourGuide marketplace are ranked by a combination of factors including popularity, diversity, availability, customer rating, cancellation rate, performance over time, and amount of revenue generated. Hai Van Pass historyWhere to begin your Hai Van Pass journey?How to travel the Hai Van Pass modes of transport Hai Van Pass mapAdvice for Hai Van Pass motorcycle rentalTips for driving the Hai Van Pass by motorbike Hai Van Pass distanceBest stops on the Hai Van PassDa NangReaching the Hai Van PassLập An Lagoon & the sand dune roadLunch at Cảnh Dương BayCountryside and buffalo-spottingDam Cau Hai Salt LakeAn Bang CemeteryArriving in HueBest season to drive the Hai Van PassWhat to packWhere next?HueHoi An This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you. I recently took an incredible trip along the Hai Van Pass in Vietnam; a road trip I’ll remember for a very long time!I’d been wanting to drive the Hai Van Pass, voted one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world by the Guardian, since I visited Vietnam in 2015. Back then, I was short of time so opted for the bus to get between Hue and Hoi An. The bus travels through a tunnel and skips the views which is a crying shame! When I travelled through central Vietnam with friends a few weeks back, their timeframe was even tighter as they had an exit flight booked from Saigon. We opted for the Hai Van Pass train as our mode of transport which soaked up some views but not all of them. Views while travelling from Hoi An to Hue on the Hai Van Pass Basically, the Hai Van Pass was high on my Southeast Asia bucket list. The time became right when my friend Lola of Miss Filatelista invited me to join her on a weekend trip to the gorgeous city of Hue. We decided to kill two birds with one stone and travel from Hoi An to Hue on the Hai Van Pass – something that turned out to be as worthwhile as the getaway to Hue itself! If you’re including both Hue and Hoi An in your Vietnam itinerary, you’ll have to pass through this area anyway. Why not turn it into an unforgettable road trip through the mountains, stopping at pristine beaches along the coast? Read next the ultimate Southeast Asia backpacking itinerary Hai Van Pass history Located on Highway 1 between Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang, the highest road in Vietnam 500m above sea level translates as Sea Clouds’ because it stretches from one to the traditionally acted as a geographic boundary between the ancient kingdoms of Champa and Dai Viet. To this day, you can spy the gate that acted as the border crossing between the two the horrific American War’, the Pass was dubbed the Street Without Joy’ because it connected two of the worst affected cities, Da Nang and Hoi the 2008 Hai Van Pass Top Gear episode, Jeremy Clarkson dubbed it a deserted ribbon of perfection’. While I despise the man and his political views, he was right about this! Where to begin your Hai Van Pass journey? There are three main places to begin the adventure Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue. The first two are south of the Pass, and Hue is north. It doesn’t matter which Hai Van route you take because you’ll see the same sights but in reverse. If you’re travelling Vietnam from south-north, begin in Hoi An, and if you’re travelling north-south, begin in Hue. How to travel the Hai Van Pass modes of transport Hire a motorbike Many people drive the Hai Van Pass on a motorbike. It’s a fun and adventurous option with all power to you. Keep reading for my Rider tours on the back of a guide’s motorbike This is a great option if you want the motorbike experience but you’re not comfortable driving – I don’t blame you. There are Easy Rider centres in every city or you can book a 1-day Hai Van Pass tour from Hue or Hoi An/Da Nang in car to travel the Pass either from Hue to Hoi An/Da Nang or in reverse, take this 1-day Hai Van Pass tour by Jeep by far the coolest option! Take a 1-day Jeep tour of the Hai Van Pass. Which mode of transport is best?For an adventure, riding by motorbike is most fun. But having done the Hai Van Pass Jeep tour, I don’t think you can beat it. We had the opportunity to put the top on for shade or ride with it off. The best way to travel the Hai Van Pass Click for the interactive version Advice for Hai Van Pass motorcycle rental If you’re keen to drive the Pass yourself, ensure you have practised driving a scooter in Vietnam already. Highway 1A is paved and in good condition but the hairpin bends are not for the inexperienced! There are several places to hire motorbikes in Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An but it’s worth doing some research to ensure you’re getting a quality rental. Expect to pay around 100-200k VND per for hiring a bike Inspect your bike before leaving the rental place. Check the breaks and lights are working properly. Check the tires are in good condition. If not, you’re vulnerable to puncturing and skidding. Photograph any scrapes or damage to the bike in case you’re charged for it on return. Insist upon a helmet. These have been legal since 2007 so you may get fined without one and, more importantly, they could save your life! Check you’re travelling with insurance that covers riding a scooter. I recommend True Traveller for European travellers, Hey Mundo for other nationalities and Safety Wing for digital nomads. Companies including Hoi An Bike Rental will organise luggage transfers for as little as 40k VND. It will be waiting at our hotel when you arrive in Hue/Da Nang/Hoi An. Tips for driving the Hai Van Pass by motorbike Fill up on gas in Hoi An/Da Nang/Hue before embarking on the Pass; there’s nowhere to refuel along the way It’s not uncommon for cars and lorries to turn blind corners at speed. Proceed with caution! Check the weather before setting off especially during the rainy season. Not only could heavy rain prove hazardous but you’d also miss out on the views. It’s best to start the drive after 8-9am when the morning fog has lifted. Get the app and download the maps for Vietnam. Especially if you don’t have data, it’s a great offline tool. To stay connected on the Pass and in Southeast Asia, get an E-sim data plan. Use all my Southeast Asia travel tips for safety, navigation and more! Hai Van Pass distance The Pass measures 21km but the complete distance between Hue and Hoi An is 170km. You should set aside 5-6 hours for the complete journey, or longer if you want to relax on the beaches. Best stops on the Hai Van Pass I’m going to run through the highlights of our day trip with photos. These are the spots I’d recommend you don’t miss whether you’re travelling by car or scooter, independently or on a tour!These stops are listed as if you’re coming from Hoi An. If you’re coming from Hue, reverse them. Note – if you’re taking a Hai Van Pass tour, check the itinerary to see what’s included as different companies may have different itineraries. Here are the best Hai Van Pass stops Da Nang Just 20 minutes from Hoi An lies Vietnam’s fastest-growing city, Da Nang. It’s not somewhere I’ve really explored before – if you know how much charm Hoi An has, you’ll understand why I don’t exactly make pilgrimages to this urban city. However, it was cool to check out the sights before we properly got on the road for the day. The colourful fishing boats in the harbour were such a contrast to the ever-evolving skyscraper backdrop, and I loved the enormous gold dragon bridge which apparently lights up and breathes fire at weekends. If you’re staying here already, you can travel the Hai Van Pass from Da Nang by tour, motorbike or train. Alternatively, you can start in Hue and finish here. Lập An Lagoon & the sand dune road It was fast becoming apparent that the highlight of my day was going to be the sandy white beaches. I’d expected the mountains to be stunning but hadn’t appreciated how extraordinary – and also empty – the coastline would be. We called in at the oyster farm area of Lập An Lagoon click for exact location. Here people cultivate oysters for food and jewellery. Not only are they high in nutritional value, locals love their flavour and serve them at the heart of various dishes. Combine that with pearl production and they’re regarded as the jewels of sand dune road is a spot you can’t miss. A strip of sand runs right into the lagoon like a red okay, golden carpet. Surprisingly for such an Instagrammable spot, there weren’t that many people there. We only had to wait five minutes before we had it to ourselves. Lunch at Cảnh Dương Bay Most importantly in my Hai Van Pass guide… lunch!If we thought the dreamy sandbar was nice, we were about to be blown away by Cảnh Dương Bay where we stopped for lunch. I’m always enthusiastic where mealtimes are concerned but this stop was something else. We had a tasty meal that we could pick from a menu, but the highlight was this incredible stretch of abandoned sand and turquoise ocean. We couldn’t resist going for a swim even though we were boiling hot and the shade of the restaurant was so appealing. Countryside and buffalo-spotting After lunch, the scenery along the Hai Van Pass started to change. We saw fewer beaches and more green, glorious countryside. Mountain backdrops were peppered with grazing buffalo which came up close to our car, unbothered by us our felt like I was back in Africa as we admired them from our Jeep! It’s amazing how African buffalo are deadly but Asian ones seem calm and act as valuable aids to the farming industry. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen children as young as five riding them, or workers relaxing on their back as a comfy seat! Dam Cau Hai Salt Lake We stopped on a bridge alongside Vietnam’s largest salt lake for a few photos. Our guide told us a bit about the region while we admired a small fishing village nestled on the you can tell, we were loving posing for photos with the Jeep’s roof off! An Bang Cemetery For a final stop on our Hoi An to Hue tour via the Hai Van Pass, our guide announced we were going to be visiting a cemetery. I assumed it would be nice because Vietnamese graveyards usually are but I didn’t fathom even a tenth of the colour and detail we were about to see… Westerners would probably describe Vietnamese graves as temples because they really don’t resemble the plain stone slabs we see at home. An Bang Cemetery – also known as the City of Ghosts’ – is a particularly large example built by wealthy families. From this region, many residents moved overseas to the USA or Europe where they began to earn more money and send it home. The town of An Bang became richer and so did the cemetery. Many of the tombs boast bedrooms and kitchens, honouring the belief that people have the same needs in the first thing that struck me when we arrived was the sheer volume of tombs – they stretched as far as I could see. Our guide told us that you can determine a lot about the life of the deceased from the buildings. The one above features ship-style wheels to communicate that the person buried had been a sailor during their life. Arriving in Hue Soon after An Bang we arrived in Hue where we were dropped at our home for the next three days, Hue Ecolodge. I’d highly recommend this beautiful, secluded hotel with luxurious rooms, verandas and a lovely swimming pool. Rooms start at $65 a night. Best season to drive the Hai Van Pass April to September is the best time to visit the Hai Van Pass because it’s dry season and there’s little fog blocking the spectacular to March is rainy season so check the weather if you plan to visit. Depending on the day, it may become unsuitable at the last minute. What to pack Suncream Sun hat Enough water Handy bum bag with secure zip Power bank to keep your devices alive Camera to record your memories GoPro attached to your helmet if you want to make videos. Thanks for reading! See you next time for more adventures, Rose For more content, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Note – while we were hosted by Road Trippers Vietnam, all opinions are my own. Ps. Liked this guide to the Vietnam Hai Van Pass? Pin it for later! Vietnam quick linksGetting around by air – it’s easy to get between cities by flight. I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re connected with E-sim data plans that don’t require delivery or collection; just span the QR my opinion, Lonely Planet offer the best guidebooks. Get the latest Lonely Planet Vietnam buses and trains, I use 12GoAsia. The search feature allows you to compare prices and durations. I use for accommodation. They have the best range of hotels and self-catering apartments, plus you can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters, a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & activities, I use GetYourGuide as they have a huge range of affordable travel insurance? I use True Traveller for UK & Europe residents since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips! Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

hai van pass guide