Hai Van Pass, Vietnam is the highest pass in the country and one of the most scenic hillside 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 Danang city, Tien Sa port, Son Tra peninsula and long white sandy beach from the Hai Van Pass.

Hai Van Pass is a pass on National Road 1A in Vietnam. This is a branch range of Annamite Range that reaches to the South China Sea. The pass is located on the border of Danang and Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, near Bach Ma National Park. In the history of Vietnam, the pass has long been an obstacle on the north-south road of Vietnam and was an effective great wall to prevent Kingdom of Champa from the invasion of Dai Viet. The twisted road on the pass has long been a nightmare for many Vietnamese drivers but nowadays, thanks to the Hai Van Tunnel, the transportation through the pass is faster and easier.

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 Hue and “the most grandiose gateway in the world” on the one looking down on Quang Nam.

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 Danang to Hue passes by few small hills with its unique landscape just beyond it. The three hour drive from Danang 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.