Hai Van Pass, Vietnam: The Ultimate Vietnamese Road Trip

The Hai Van Pass is like the Great Ocean Road of Vietnam. It’s truly one of the most magnificent road trips to complete in Vietnam and it can be done on your own, on a tour, or with a friend!

I couldn’t believe my eyes when winding around the 21 km worth of mountains on my motorbike. The views are simply magnificent and you truly forget that you’re in Vietnam.

Moreover, the views of pristine coastlines and white sand beaches are truly the essence of this road trip and what makes the effort so worth the journey.

Not to mention, there is lots to explore while riding through the mountains, and I go into further depth on things you can do while visiting the area.

So, continue reading to discover my insider travel tips and recommendations for your journey along the Hai Van Pass.

The Hai Van Pass

Why Should I Complete the Hai Van Pass?

The Hai Van Pass is one of the greatest road trips in Vietnam. Moreover, it’s easy to complete and is the ultimate day-trip adventure.

Not to mention, the views are insane and the road trip around the mountains is heaps of fun! Especially if you like riding a scooter or motorbike.

At the highest point, you will be 500 metres above sea level. This offers insane views over the surrounding coastline and you will even get views facing back to the city of Da Nang.

Finally, you have the opportunity to either make a one-way journey between Hue and Da Nang or complete a round-trip from Da Nang. Personally, I chose to complete a round-trip from Da Nang as I got to enjoy the pass for longer.

hai van pass da nang vietnam — Da Nang City Views from the Hai Van Pass

The History of the Hai Van Pass

The Hai Van Pass played an important role during the Vietnam war that ran for roughly 20 years.

Firstly, an interesting fact about the Hai Van Pass is that it’s a road that separates the north from the south of Vietnam. The north side of the pass is part of the Thua Thien Hue region, while the south is part of the Da Nang region.

And, it marked a physical boundary in the 1300s between the Dai Viet and Champa kingdoms. The ancient gate at the summit of the pass is the old marking of this separation.

Not to mention, you’ll notice a shift in culture from the north to the south of the pass. Firstly, the north has more of a commercial feel to it with lots of commercialised businesses in the area and cooler and cloudier weather. While the south is much warmer and feels like a tropical environment.

Hue to Da Nang

Some people choose to take the journey from Hue to Da Nang, or vice versa, on a rental motorbike. Either way, it’s an incredible way to travel and experience a different side of Vietnam.

Firstly, the road trip from Hue to Da Nang only takes roughly 2 hours. However, riders tend to go a little slower than vehicles and you’ll likely want to stop along the way, so you’ll be looking at roughly 2-4 hours for the one-way journey.

And, depending on the route of your travels, the one-way journey might be best suited to your experience. Nonetheless, this is a great way to experience such a stunning part of Vietnam!

Day Trip from Da Nang

I completed the Hai Van Pass by exploring it as a day trip from Da Nang. And, it was great as I got to complete the scenic ride twice! I spent about 5 hours on this return adventure and even got to explore the small town of Lap An on the north side of the pass.

The first thing that you need to get sorted is a motorbike or scooter. In the next section, I’ve written my review and recommendation for the best scooter rental in Da Nang.

Scooter Rental in Da Nang

I did a bit of research prior to my adventure on the Hai Van Pass and came upon a highly-rated scooter rental store. The name of the place is ‘The Motorbike Station’, and I couldn’t recommend them enough.

Firstly, the owner (whose name is Lee) took us through the bikes, ensured they were safe to ride, and allowed us to put down a cash deposit.

He had incredible English speaking and was a lot of fun to chat with. Additionally, he recommended us a few places to visit while we had the bikes on hire. All in all, Lee was extremely helpful and I’m very grateful for his service.

Finally, he will give you his WhatsApp number in case you need to contact him at any time. Definitely visit this rental place if you are in Da Nang!

Tip: Pick a scooter with a decent-sized engine so that you can safely overtake trucks when climbing hills and so you can pick up speed easily.

Address: The Motorbike Station, K25/18 Đường Ngũ Hành Sơn 1C Đường Ung Văn Khiêm Bắc Mỹ Phú Đà Nẵng, Quảng Nam 550000, Vietnam

Things to Do on the Hai Van Pass

Aside from enjoying the ride accompanied by stunning views, there are a few stops you can make along the way to make the experience that much better. And, I highly recommend choosing a few of these locations to make the journey worth the effort!

V Village Hai Van
This is a beautiful spot to stop, even for a night to soak up the serenity of the location. Moreover, it’s a beautiful garden with a camping space to give you a unique experience of the area.

Điểm Ngắm Cảnh Đẹp
This is one of the best spots to pull over to take a few photos. And, I’m sure you’ll recognise this view once driving along the pass. For the most part, most of the tourist and travel photos are taken in this location and it’s clear to see why. The long stretch of pristine beach looks magnificent with the clear blue water.

Hai Van U Corner
The Hai Van U Corner is a great spot to stop to enjoy some more views. However, just be sure to park as far off the road as possible as trucks need all the space they can get to turn this insanely tight corner!

Don Ca Arch Bridge
Head slightly off the beaten track to view this incredible bridge. It’s a beautiful space with a gorgeous river running through and is a nice spot to enjoy a moment of silence.

View Point Lăng Cô
A bittersweet ending to the Hai Van Pass journey is the final viewpoint in Lang Co. If you wait long enough, or you happen to come at the right time, you will get to see the train coming through with lots of friendly locals on board. And, you will get to enjoy views over Lang Co Bay. The bridge is stunning, and you might even see a local float by in a small wooden boat.

Feel free to continue riding into the town of Lang Co to do a little exploring of the beachside town.

What to Bring

The Hai Van Pass is quite a long day trip and it pays to be prepared. Besides, you won’t need to bring a whole lot of stuff, but there are a few essentials that I recommend taking along.

Wear protective riding gear. Be sure to wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt or jumper of some sort to ensure you have protection against the road. In the unfortunate event you come off the bike, you will have some protection against gravel rash. Besides, you’ll be thankful that you wore these long-sleeved clothes!
Raincoat. The weather is highly unpredictable in Vietnam, and having one of those ridiculous-looking plastic raincoats may just be your savior! You can pick them up at most convenience stores and stalls for a bargain and you’ll be glad you have it in case you need it!
Drinking water. Bring a couple of bottles of water to keep hydrated. It’s likely you’ll spend multiple hours in the sun and it’s nice to have some water to quench your thirst.
Camera. If you don’t have a camera, that’s totally fine, your phone will do. Nonetheless, the scenery is magnificent and you’ll definitely want to snap some flicks!
Lunch or snacks. There’s only really one spot to stop along the way, and you might like to hang out at this small restaurant for some lunch. Otherwise, bring a freshly made banh mi or some rice cakes along to enjoy a snack during the journey.
Fill your tank with fuel. Do not leave for the Hai Van Pass without filling your bike with fuel. There is no petrol station along the way and you don’t want to get caught in the hills with no fuel. So, do the smart thing and fill up before leaving!

Tip: Take the road trip slowly! Allow yourself plenty of time and don’t rush around corners. And, stay close to the left in case trucks or other motorcyclists wish to pass you. Be sure to listen out for beeping as other drivers approach you.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, the Hai Van Pass is one of the best road trips in Vietnam and it’s famous for good reason. The views are stunningly beautiful and it’s an awesome road trip to complete going from Hue to Da Nang or a great day trip from Da Nang.

Besides, there are numerous options for ways to enjoy this road trip so that nobody has to miss out. Therefore, even if you lack confidence on a motorbike, you can hire a driver or take a ride inside a vehicle.

Additionally, feel free to check out this video from Top Gear where they take a ride along the pass. Moreover, it’ll give you another visual feel for what the journey along the Hai Van Pass is like.

If you would like to discover more about Vietnam, feel free to check out this page here which includes all of my blog posts. I update it frequently and there is always loads of fresh content on the way so you will have plenty to explore! Happy reading!