Hai Van Pass, Vietnam is one of the highest passes in the country and one of the most scenic hill side roads in Vietnam. The meaning of Hai Van is wind and cloud or sea cloud. True to its meaning, wind in Hai Van Pass moves like a herd of horses galloping a number of miles and clouds seem to pour down from the heaven. One of the major Vietnam tourist attractions is the panoramic view of the Da Nang city, Tien Sa port, Son Tra peninsula and long white sandy beach from the Hai Van Pass.
Haivan pass
Hai Van Pass, Vietnam is the last spur of the Truong Son Range that reaches to the sea. As described by a 17th Century Vietnamese scholar, Hai Van seems to stands with feet in the sea and its summit covered with clouds. The road over Hai Van Pass opened in the end of 19th century. The road over the pass is over 21 kilometers long and 435 meters above sea level. The drive over the pass gives the visitors thrill of tearing through the clouds on the winding road up and down the pass.
The pass is crowned with the vestiges of a fortified gateway built by the French which is now covered with moss. This gateway acts as entrance and exit points of Thuan Hoa and Quang Nam provinces. These points are indicated by the inscribed words Hai Van Gate on the one facing Thua Thien and the most grandiose gateway in the world on the one looking down on Quang Nam.
Hai Van tunel
The view during the descending journey from Hai Van Pass, Vietnam is no less enchanting. Sightseeing in Vietnam is at its best here with the sequel of valleys and lagoons as the road descends lower. The first stop in this descending journey is the village of Lang Co sitting on the tip of a long peninsula separating a shallow lagoon from the sea. This scenic village is a good stop over place for a lunch or even a day with a beautiful beach to swim at or the village houses and the church to explore Vietnamese lifestyle.
This descending journey has much more to offer. The road between Da Nang to Hue passes by few small hills with its unique landscape just beyond it. The three hour drive from Da Nang to Hue, Vietnam is sure to leave the visitors asking for more. No wonder Hai Van Pass, Vietnam is listed among one of the most visited of the various Vietnam popular destinations.