Hai Van Pass is one of the best viewpoints in Vietnam.  It traverses on the spur of the Annamite Mountain Range and parallels the South China Sea.  When translated into English, hai van means ocean clouds.  The description holds true to the pass because misty vapors and fog rises from the sea which reduces visibility for the majority of the day.

A journey on the road to and from Hai Van Pass naturally induces a sense of isolation and calm.  You cannot help but feel relaxed when travelling on a smooth asphalt road cutting through the never-ending forests with green trees contrasting against the blue ocean waves below.

The view at the top of Hai Van Pass is spectacular.  However, you must carefully weave through many of the pass’ notorious bends before reaching the crest.  But the reward is definitely worth it.  At the top, you can also easily see the divide between North Vietnam and South Vietnam.  The fortifications built by the French and then later used by the South Vietnamese and the Americans shows the boundary between the two regions.

As you exit the pass (coming from Danang), you will descend into a series of valleys and lagoons where the small sleepy village of Lang Co is located.  The town consists of small one and two storey houses with an old church in the community center.  The waters here are very good, especially during the warmer months making Lang Co a perfect stop for a quick swim, picnic meal or even for a whole day’s outing.

Hai Van Pass is an excellent route for you if you are travelling from Danang to Hue.  On the fifth day of our Join In Tour of Vietnam, you will have the opportunity to see the views from the pass yourself.  After navigating through some hard turns, you will descend to Lang Co and relax at this charming village.  This is also a great tour for first time visitors to Vietnam, with visits to all of the country’s main sites, cities and towns.  You may see our suggested Vietnam tours and Vietnam day trips pages for other memorable trips into this wonderful country.  You may also contact us if you have any questions or would like to tweak any of our tours to meet your needs.