A Guide To the Hải Vân Pass

Overview of the Hải Vân Pass

The Hải Vân Pass is a windy and amazingly scenic mountain pass following National Route 1 in Vietnam. The extended road is roughly 21 kilometers long, cutting across the Annamite Range and numerous historic landmarks, tracing the coastal highlands of Vietnam. The Hải Vân Pass is renown as one of the country’s greatest driving routes, and remains one of the best ways to travel between Da Nang and Huế. The road is incorperated on some longer trips through Vietnam, mostly following the scenic coastal region in the East.

Interesting Info About the Hải Vân Pass

The Hải Vân is an extrodinary driving route and best experienced on long-distance motorbike tours of Vietnam. The route is located a half-hour north of Da Nang and extends through some truly breathtaking scenery.

In terms of history, the Hải Vân pass has remained a significant geopolitical divide for centuries. Through much of Vietnam’s history, it was the dividing line between the Champa and Dai Viet Kingdoms, as the mountains were a formidable obstructed and ensured a long-standing boundary.

The pass was also the crucial land link between Da Nang and Huế during the American War in Vietnam. Furthermore, the terrain stalled many colonial expansionist movements when France was in control of the region.

The Hải Vân was once considered one of the most dangerous routes in Vietnam, a major bottleneck for people traveling overland between Hanoi and Saigon. The route was eventually replaced with the Hải Vân tunnel in 2005, and the originally road was paved, becoming far safer and more navigable.

Advice For Traveling the Hải Vân Pass

The Hải Vân Pass is best traveled in the later dry season, around Early September. During this period, the weather is generally clear and the heat isn’t too strong. However, in any rain, the steep pass becomes far more dangerous and the upper elevations can become shrouded in mists.

The best way to experience the Pass is by motorbike or personal vehicle. There are many turn-offs, several attractions and overlooks which are worthy of a stop. These are easier to enjoy if a visitor has autonomy.

The Hải Vân Pass is filled with rather sharp turns. Visitors planning to use a motorbike to explore should have some experience already under their belt.

When renting a motorbike for the Hải Vân Pass, look for a vehicle with a slightly more powerful engine. This can help a rider avoid getting stuck behind slow trucks working their way up the slopes.

It’s recommended to bring your own food and water while exploring the pass. Note that there are some stops which sell snacks and drinks, but these are somewhat overpriced, as they don’t have much competition. Likewise, there aren’t any good gas stations on the upper portions of the pass.

Points of Interest Along the Hải Vân Pass

The Old French Bunker (Hải Vân Quan)

These old bunker ruins vary greatly, with some remaining largely intact and others covered in layers of foliage. The bunkers are mostly French, but there are some older Vietnamese structures as well. Additionally, the bunkers were used by the United States to cover the road during the war. The bunkers were a frequent site for attacks.

Son Tra Peninsula

Located near Da Nang, this large, mountainous peninsula has many interesting features. Aside from its amazing views, the peninsula is also home to Ghềnh Bàng, a small beach known for wild monkey populations and Cây đa Sơn Trà, a forest heritage site with ancient trees. There’s also the relaxing, laid-back Black Rock Beach on the northern portion of the peninsula and Sơn Trà Tịnh Viên, a tranquil, tiny garden space. Some of the more famous structures on the peninsula include Hải đăng Tiên Sa, a scenic yellow lighthouse immersed in foliage and Chùa Linh Ứng, a gorgeous temple with manicured trees, towering white statues and serene, traditional buildings.

View Point Lăng Cô

The views along the entirety of the Hải Vân Pass are beautiful, but there are relatively few safe turn-offs and overlooks along the route. Where there are, the visages cannot be understated. This viewing point is one of the lowest, but also the most compelling. View Point Lăng Cô is a narrow observation point which overlooks Lăng Cô Beach. From here, travelers can see shallow blue waters, a vast draining bay, a background of green mountains, small boats cutting the water and Lăng Cô Beach itself.

Lăng Cô Beach

This is a unique beach resort town, known for its hospitality and several small restaurants. The beach itself is quite long and quiet, letting people enjoy the seaside without large crowds. Visitors can also overlook the Lap An Lagoon, a large lagoon which raises and rains with the tide, mountains framing the waters in the background. Additionally, another tourist attraction in the area is Đầm Lập An, a long pier which overlooks the lagoon. From here, guests can see the strange forest of short poles which dot the waters.

Elephant Springs (Suoi Voi)

Located slightly west of Lăng Cô, this is a relaxing swimming hole full of rushing waters, miniture waterfalls, wooden platforms and a large, carved elephant rock.

Bồ Ghè Waterfall

This is another swimming hole fed by a low waterfall and relaxing shores.

Thác Nhị Hồ

Found at the foot of the Bạch Mã Mountains, this swimming area is quite isolated with several water ponds following a series of swift, rapid streams.

The Imperial City Huế

Once upon a time, the Hải Vân Pass was the major connection route between Da Nang and Huế. The walled city of Huế once served as the imperial capital of Vietnam during the reign of the Nguyễn Dynasty. The palace site is home to shrines, gardens, intact walls, villas, the Nine Dynastic Urns and the Meridian Gate. The outer portion of Huế is also home to a range of attractions, including overlooks of the Perfume River, the Huế Night Walking Street, the Chùa Thiên Mụ (Thien Mu Pagoda) and the Imperial Mausoleums of Emperor Tu Duc, Emperor Dong Khanh, Emperor Khai Dinh, Emperor Minh Mang and others.

Thuy Tien lake Abandoned Water Park

Found in Huế on the small lake of Hồ Thủy Tiên, this abandoned water park is home to impressive architecture, including a large, domed building under a decaying, rearing dragon.

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