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If you want to experience one of the most beautiful roads in Vietnam, Hai Van Pass is the perfect choice for you. Nguyen Dinh Hoang Khanh, a blogger who frequently shares his travel experiences on social media, couldn't hide his delight after enjoying the beauty of this "most magnificent pass in the world."
Speaking to Travellive, Khanh said: “Compared to other mountain passes in Vietnam, Hai Van Pass is not too long or too treacherous for me, but it has its own unique charm.”
Hai Van Pass is also known as Ai Van Pass or Cloud Pass.
Hai Van Pass, also known as Ai Van Pass or Cloud Pass, is approximately 20 km long and lies on National Highway 1A, marking the boundary between Thua Thien Hue province (80 km from Hue) and Da Nang city (20 km from Da Nang). Hai Van means "Sea and Clouds," a name that reflects the pass's stunning scenery with the sea and clouds drifting lazily over the mountain peaks. During the day, depending on the weather, the Hai Van Pass is always shrouded in a white blanket of clouds in the evening.
At an altitude of 500 meters above sea level, Hai Van Pass winds its way across the Bach Ma mountain range. The scenery here offers breathtaking beauty, with towering mountains on one side and the vast East Sea on the other. Hai Van is considered one of the most important mountain passes in Vietnam, strategically located as a gateway for trade between Central and South Central Vietnam.
During the day, it depends on the weather, but in the evening, the Hai Van Pass is always covered in a white blanket of clouds.
Jeremy Clarkson, host of the British reality TV show Top Gear, once described this place as one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world. Hai Van Pass is also one of the top 10 most popular roads for tourists to check in on Instagram.
Hai Van Pass is considered one of the most beautiful coastal mountain passes in the world, a masterpiece of nature bestowed upon Vietnam. The image of this treacherous yet beautiful road, with its majestic mountains and the clouds drifting lazily over the peaks, evokes the rhythm of the song "My Train Passes Through the Mountains," a beauty that has been immortalized in unforgettable musical melodies.
Hai Van Pass is considered one of the most beautiful coastal mountain passes in the world, a masterpiece of nature bestowed upon Vietnam.
The higher you climb, the more overwhelmed you'll be by the stunning natural scenery. The sounds of the mountains and forests, the cool breeze and mist caressing your skin—you'll have an unforgettable experience.
Standing at the top of the pass, looking south, you will see the modern and bustling city of Da Nang, along with Tien Sa Port, Cham Island, and Son Tra Peninsula. Looking north, you will encounter fishing villages and Lang Co Bay with its emerald-green beaches.
Hai Van Pass stands out amidst the vast forest, like a silk ribbon draped across the clouds, resembling a celestial paradise.
“From the gently sloping bends at the foot of the pass, you can see the entire city of Da Nang and the Son Tra peninsula. By the final bend, as the steering wheel returns to its original position, Lap An Lagoon, the fishing village, and Lang Co Bay appear before your eyes. The two scenes are almost contrasting: south of the pass in Da Nang is a modern, developed city with high-rise buildings and prominent bridges; north of the pass in Hue is much more peaceful,” said Khanh.
The route to conquer Hai Van Pass is not easy, with winding and treacherous sections clinging to the mountain slopes. Hai Van Pass stands out amidst the vast forest like a silk ribbon draped across the clouds, resembling a celestial paradise.
Khanh suggested that since Hai Van Pass is located on a national highway, people can choose to travel by car, motorbike, bicycle, etc.
Mr. Khanh suggested that since Hai Van Pass is located on the national highway, visitors can choose to travel by car, motorbike, or bicycle. At Hai Van Pass, visitors can gaze into the distance, with majestic mountains on one side and the vast ocean on the other, all blending together to create a magnificent natural landscape.
Visitors can gaze into the distance, with majestic mountains on one side and the vast ocean on the other, all blending together to create a magnificent natural landscape.
Sharing his most memorable experience from the trip, Khanh confided: “That time, I left Hue for Da Nang a bit late, so I arrived at the foot of Hai Van Pass around 6 pm. It was a full moon night, and as soon as we passed the pass and entered Da Nang territory, the moonlight shone down on the sea, creating a shimmering, ethereal light. In the distance, the lights reflected the modernity and continuous development of the coastal city. The bright, round moon seemed to adorn the tranquil black sky and the deep mountain slopes, with a few fishing boats in the distance. I had heard and read many poems about it, but this was the first time I had experienced that ethereal light from the moon shining down on the sea – it was incredibly magical. The scene and atmosphere at that time are still hard for me to forget. So, this is also my suggestion: go to Hai Van Pass and enjoy its beauty on a moonlit night; I think you won't be disappointed.”
The Hai Van Pass has its own unique beauty at every time of year.
According to Mr. Khanh, Hai Van Pass has its own unique beauty at different times of the year. On sunny days, the clear blue sky, with a few white clouds high above blending with the sea below, creates a poetic and majestic scene. The deep blue of the sky, the gentle blue of the sea, and the green of the trees all combine to create a picture of perfect natural harmony. On rainy days, the weather is gloomy, the temperature drops, and clouds appear at the summit and near the summit. Sometimes the clouds drift lazily, sometimes they are dense, making it almost impossible to see the road clearly because driving is very difficult.
