Hải Vân Pass★★★
The Hải Vân Pass (Đèo Hải Vân, "Pass of the Ocean Clouds") is Vietnam's most famous mountain pass — 21 km of switchbacks between Huế and Đà Nẵng, reaching up to 496 m in height. The British TV team of Top Gear called it "one of the most beautiful coastal passes in the world." They are right.
The pass marks the climatic boundary between North and South Vietnam: On the north side (Huế) it rains in winter, on the south side (Đà Nẵng) the sun shines. On clear days, you can see both the Lăng Cô Lagoon in the north and the Đà Nẵng coast in the south from the top — an unforgettable panorama.
Since 2005, a 6.3 km long tunnel runs under the pass — all heavy and bus traffic takes this route. This means: The old pass road is almost traffic-free and belongs to the motorcyclists. Riding over the pass by motorcycle (rentable in Huế or Đà Nẵng, from 150,000 VND/day) is one of the great Vietnam experiences.
At the highest point stand the ruins of a French fort and South Vietnamese bunkers — silent witnesses to the strategic importance of this pass over the centuries.
💡 Tipp
Drive the pass from north (Huế) to south — this way you have the most spectacular view ahead of you. Best to start in the morning (8–9 AM) when the fog lifts. Combine the pass with a stop at the Lăng Cô Lagoon (north side) — turquoise water, almost deserted.
Achtung
The pass can be foggy and slippery, especially during the rainy season. Drive carefully, keep your distance from trucks (which avoid the tunnel), and wear a good helmet. In dense fog: Better to take the tunnel.
