Đèo Hải Vân on Truong Son Range or Hai Van Pass translates to ocean or sea cloud pass. This was my next stop travelling with a camera, the Nikon again today. The pass spans 21km and is part of the National Route 1A and is 30 kms north of Danang City. Tourists either hire a moped, or one with a driver (xe om), go on a tour or book a private car. Please remember, you legally need a Vietnamese license to hire a bike, however, this is rarely asked for.
The name refers to the mist that rises from the sea and sits on top of the pass which is 496m high. It is a stunning sight and I was lucky enough to wake up to this view from my hotel balcony in Danang. The area was mainly forrest until the war and at the top you can see a French fort which is covered by bullet holes. The only alleged stopping place is at the summit, however, as with most other rules in Vietnam, this is ignored. The summit also seems to provide a popular places for wedding photos – 3 brides and grooms were queuing to get their place on a plinth. There are tourist shops, food, drink and toilets available.
If you travel by train from the north, the train hugs the coast line of the pass and if you are lucky you will see it wending its way along the track. The pass is also a boundary between northern and southern Vietnam climates. It shelters Danang from the ‘Chinese Winds’ that blow in from the northwest. So the weather on both sides can be very different at the same time.
When you get to the north side of the pass, go to Lang Co Bay where there is a beautiful lagoon. Then on to the beach, which provides yet another photographic opportunity for travelling with a camera.
We returned via the Hai Van Tunnel which was opened in 2005 and is the longest in southeast Asia at 6280m. The tunnel cuts down travel time dramatically, by around an hour – 50000 dong to travel.
Take care if you do drive over the pass, it can be very dangerous and has been the scene of many accidents including rail and plane. The mist can come in vey quickly as it did when we were at the summit.
It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful stretches of highway I have seen. A must when in the area.
