Hai Van Pass Vietnam: A Must Do List in Hue, Danang & Hoi An

Hai Van Pass (Vietnamese: Đèo Hải Vân), also known as Ai Van Pass (or Cloudy Gate Pass - because of some Bunkers on the Mountain Peak built during the Nguyen Dynasty and French War) is one of the best popular stops on the traveling route in central Vietnam. Pass 's Peak Elevation is about 500 m above sea level, 20 km long, across the Bach Ma mountain range between Thua Thien-Hue province (in the North) and Da Nang city of Vietnam.

• Location: National Road No 1 (80km South of Hue, 20 km North of Da Nang, 50 km North of Hoi An)

History: According to doccuments, before 1306, the land with the Hai Van Pass belonged to the two continents O and Ri of the Champa Kingdom (also known as Chiem Thanh). After being cut by King Champa Che Man as a marriage gift to the Vietnamese Tran dynasty in 1306, the mountain pass was the border between Dai Viet and Chiem Thanh.

About a century later, in 1402, the Ho Dynasty (under the Ho Han Thuong King) sent General Do Man to bring troops to fight Champa, causing the king of that country, Ba Dich Lai (Jaya Sinhavarman V) to cut the land. Since then, the whole area of Hai Van Pass has completely belonged to Dai Ngu country (Vietnam today), and has become the natural boundary of Thuan Hoa and Quang Nam lands.

On June 5, 2005, the Hai Van tunnel through Hai Van Pass was completed, making it more convenient to travel, but Hai Van Pass is still a "barriers" partly prevent the climate between the two regions.

Although there are now tunnel tunnels across the Hai Van Pass, and the terrain of the pass still faces some obstacles, many travelers still prefer to go on the road to enjoy it. On a clear day, they can see quite a part of Danang City, Tien Sa Port - Son Tra Peninsula, Cu Lao Cham, ... and the long yellow sand beaches hugging the vast blue water of the sea.

Today, at the top of Hai Van pass, there is still a trace of a gate. This gate was called Hai Van Quan, built from the Tran dynasty and was restored in the Nguyen Dynasty (7th Minh Mang year, 1826). The door looks to the Thua Thien province with three words "Hai Van Quan", the door looks down to Quang Nam with the title "The first galaxy is majestic". Lost on one side of the board, he also added "Minh Dam lost his life", that is, he did it on the good day of the 7th Minh Menh year (1826). This title is transmitted by King Le Thanh Tong when the king stopped here in 1470.

How to Get to Hai Van Pass?

Hai Van Pass is located between Hue (80km to the South) and Danang (20km to the North), on the National Road No 1. It is very convenienct and popular spot to visit when traveling between Hue and Hoi An or Hue and Danang. The best way to get to Hai Van Pass is by Private Car or Motorbike (self-driving or with driver). Most of the Travel Agencies in Vietnam or hotels in the regions offer these services.

Adventure Journey

Recommended Tours to Visit:

• Hue to/from Hoi An by Private Car Transfer via My Son Sanctuary
• Hue to/from Hoi An by Private Car via Hand Bridge in Ba Na Hills
• Hue to/from Hoi An via An Bang Cemetery (Tombs City of Ghosts)
• Hue to/from Hoi An by Private Car via Monkey Mountain Danang
• Hue to/from Hoi An Car via Lap An Lagoon, Beach & Hai Van Pass

See Also:

• Danang Vietnam Location, History, Weather and Best Time to Visit
• What Things to Do and Best Places to Visit in Danang City Vietnam
• Best Street Food and Local Restaurants to Eat in Da Nang Vietnam