Hai Van Pass

The Hai Van Pass (Đèo Hải Vân — "Pass of Ocean Clouds") is a 21-km mountain road across the Trường Sơn range, at a maximum elevation of 496 metres, forming the boundary between Da Nang and the old province of Thừa Thiên Huế. The pass has marked a geographic and cultural divide for centuries — the mountain barrier that separates the northern and central climate zones, and historically the frontier between the old Cham kingdom to the south and Vietnamese territory to the north. The views from the summit fort, which dates to the Nguyễn dynasty, take in Da Nang Bay to the south and Lang Co lagoon and the South China Sea to the north.

Most visitors come by motorbike — the road is one of the great rides in Vietnam, with 21 km of curves, tunnels, and coastal headland sections between Da Nang and Lang Co. The heritage train crosses the same route at sea level below, hugging the coastline through a series of tunnels and open sections — a completely different and equally spectacular perspective on the same geography. The parallel highway tunnel, opened in 2005, carries all bus and car traffic and bypasses the pass entirely; the old road is now exclusively for motorbikes, cyclists, and the railway below.

Hotel recommendations coming soon.